by Sadie Jacks
Nik stepped forward before I had a chance. She did some kind of kick that put the doctor on the ground with nothing more than a sigh.
“Dammit, Nik,” I griped.
She dusted her hands off. “Too slow, bossman.” She moved back to my side.
“About those criminal charges. It seems we’ll be adding to them,” Willow said.
Chapter 15 – Willow
Memories washed through my mind in a wave of misery and torment. As if transported through time to the past, they were all I could see.
I stumbled to the wall. Giggled as my heel caught in my dress. Ethan had picked it out. Said I looked lovely. I thought it was ugly, but when Mother had agreed with him, I’d shut up. It wasn’t worth it to fight over a stupid dress. Not when I was getting married to the man in less than a couple weeks.
A small group of men came from one of the backrooms. One of them was pulling his zipper up as they joked and ribbed each other. “Best piece of ass I didn’t have to pay for.”
They all chuckled. “Oh, you’ll pay for it. But at least this way your wife won’t find out.”
I ducked behind one of the curtains. I hated these galas. They were nothing more than opportunities for my heartless parents to lie to the masses of New Trenadie. For dirty deals to be made.
I held my breath as the men walked by. “That Penn snatch was a lot tighter than I’d thought possible after all the rumors I’ve heard.”
I gagged. Men were disgusting.
“Tight enough to get me off at least. I like it when they fight back.”
A fiery heat bloomed in my belly. They were talking about rape. At my parents’ party. Fury the likes of which I’d never felt before bloomed inside my chest. I held my silence until I heard the men open the slightly creaky door to the main ballroom.
I pushed away from the curtains. Headed down the hall until I found the door they’d exited. One of the many guestrooms Mother and Father kept stocked on nights like this.
A woman was lying on the bed. Her long blonde hair was laying in tangles over her face. Her wrists were tied in silken cords that attached to long chains that hung from the four-poster bed rail.
I crept closer. Sobs burned deep in my chest. I bit my lip to keep them from giving me away. I couldn’t be found in here. But I also couldn’t allow her to remain tied up.
“Hello?” I whispered as I drunkenly swayed towards the bed.
She didn’t say anything. I couldn’t even be sure she was breathing.
“Hello? Are you awake?”
I made it to the head of the bed. I reached up, tried to untie the binds. They were stuck tight against the clumsiness of my fingers. “I’ll be right back. I just need to get some scissors so I can cut you loose.”
Backing away from the bed, I dipped and wobbled towards the bathroom. I knew each guest room had a manicure kit. Those little scissors were tiny but they were fucking sharp. Almost as sharp as my Henckels professional knives.
I slapped the light on, blinked against the resultant blindness. Avoiding my reflection, I rooted around in all the drawers in the vanity until I found the little kit. I only stabbed myself once as I gripped the tiny steel snippers.
Making my way back out into the bedroom, I almost screamed as I saw that the woman on the bed was staring at me. Hate and fear filled her blue eyes. “Who are you?”
“I’m Willow Chase.”
She recoiled. “Winslow’s daughter?”
I nodded. I held up the scissors. “I’m here to get you free. Are you okay?”
She shook her head as tears flowed from her eyes. “I doubt I’ll ever be okay again.”
I could sympathize, although I didn’t know that I fully understood. Rape was one of my biggest fears. That she was here, living through it, and only cried silently? She was my version of Superwoman.
I finally made it to the bed. I started attacking the silk restraints. They ripped and shredded under the onslaught of the sharp shears. My breath was heaving through my chest by the time she was free.
She was up and had the scissors stabbed deep into the muscle of my arm before I could figure out that I should probably find a toilet so I could puke up most of this poison masquerading as alcohol. “Ouch.” I looked down at the small implement glinting in the dim light. “What was that for? I helped get you free.” I blinked up at her. I pulled the steel from my arm. Grabbed up one section of silk and wrapped it around the wound.
Her mouth was twisted into a hateful grimace. “Just leave me alone.” She pushed me. “Get out!”
I fell back. My ass felt like it broke in half as it collided with the Queen Anne dresser against the wall. “Fine. See if I ever help you again.” Hand on my ass, I hobbled out of that terrible room.
I pushed the door open, uncaring that it slammed into the wall on the far side. Two men were talking in the hallway. “This is the room. You want to go first?” one of the men asked.
The other man shook his head when he saw me. “Ms. Chase, how lovely to see you again.”
I nodded, kept walking. Well, stumbling really.
He grabbed my arm, slid his hand behind my back. “Allow me to help you back to the party.”
I tried to shake him off.
He chuckled. “I’ll get back to you on that, Draper. Let me get this little drunken filly back to her parents.”
My skin crawled. My belly threatened to get rid of all the alcohol anyway. I pulled away. Face-planted the wall.
His grip on my hip tightened once more. “Aw, come on, sweetheart. Don’t be like that.” He pushed into my personal space. He grabbed my face between his hands, lowered his mouth to mine.
His whisky soaked breath had me heaving. I tried to push him back. Tried to shove him away. My belly gave one last heroic heave. I puked over both of us.
He danced back as he snarled at me in low tones. “You bitch! Do you know who I am?”
“Covered in vomit?”
“Dr. William T. Gregson. I’m one of the top surgeons at Mercy General Hospital.”
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Well, Dr. William T. Gregson, you’re now covered in vomit.”
I blinked the room back into focus. “I puked on you. When you tried to shove your tongue down my throat.”
Gregson’s face went red as his lips thinned down into a hard line.
Ryker’s snort was hard and brutal. “Good job, cupcake. But I think I’ll take this turn, if you don’t mind.”
I waved my big, hulking hero forward. “Have at it, lover.” I stepped out of his way when he lifted his knee high.
Daphne lunged forward. “Ryker, don’t.”
“Ryker, do,” I said. I looked at Daphne. Saw her standing tall and in charge now when moments ago in my memory she had been broken and beaten. I rubbed a hand over my arm where she’d stabbed me. “He deserves it, Daphne. He stopped me in the hallway after I left that room.” I kept my gaze on hers as I said it. Let her see the past in my eyes.
She jerked. Her gaze dropped to my arm before rising to meet mine again. “He was…”
I nodded.
She pulled her restraining hand back from her son. “Do it.”
Ryker smiled. Lifted his foot high again. Just before he was about to drop it on Gregson’s head, the door slammed open again.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Ryker Penn,” a new guy said as he sailed into the room. His white lab coat fluttered in the breeze of his own wake. His dark ebony skin glistened under the harsh lights. His light golden eyes were beautiful. If it weren’t for the look of superiority and avarice. “We’ve got enough security in here that you would be arrested before his brains splattered on the floors. Not that I blame you. He really is a pissant.”
“Amgardner. Where the hell have you been?” Nancy screeched. “These people have been accosting us.”
Abigail snorted. “Accosting is a bit strong. You did allow his sister to be abducted.”
Nancy turned on the Charge nurse.
Ni
k danced forward again. Stopped the doctor from touching the nurse with some kind of move that I couldn’t track. “Ah, ah, ah. Touching others without their permission is a no-no. Did you not get the memo from Willow’s knee in Gregson’s balls?”
I smiled at Nik when she winked at me. She was seriously the coolest chick ever.
Amgardner sighed heavily. “For the love of money, folks. Let’s just cool down.”
I glared at him. “Who are you again?”
Amgardner gave me a sassy look. “I’m the chairman of the board and also the Chief of Surgery here. Your husband answers to me.”
I gave him a slow clap. “Then you’ll be listed in the criminal case. How do you spell your name again?” I made a show of licking an imaginary pencil point and holding it poised over an equally imaginary pad of paper.
He glared at me. “You’re quite impertinent, Mrs. Errington. I would have expected better manners from the Chases’ daughter.”
I snorted. “I would have expected them not to get involved with a serial killer. Looks like we’re all doomed for disappointment.” I leaned in conspiratorially. “Don’t take it so hard, Amby. They had me fooled too.”
He looked down his nose at me. “I sincerely doubt those claims, young lady. In fact, I have it on very good authority that you suffer from delusions and other various forms of mental illness. Keep this behavior up and I’ll have you committed to the state’s care.”
Ryker caught me by the arm before I could punch the sanctimonious doctor in the face. “Do not speak to her like that again, Amby. Or I’ll have your job so fast, your head won’t even have time to spin.”
Amgardner laughed. “Good luck with that. Now, as to the issue that brought you all here today in such a lather. You’ll find that the case notes in Ms. Sheridan’s files are, in fact, complete. There was an error in the system. We will be looking into the nursing staff to find the culprit that allowed one of our patients to leave without the proper authorizations in hand.”
Ryker laughed. The sound was hard and forced. It grated on my already sensitive nerves. “Oh man, your staff knows you too well, Amby. We received copies of the unaltered file already. In print and electronic forms. You and these two assholes you call associates are done in the medical field, this town, this state, this country. Good luck hawking your skills in Europe. Maybe a third-world country will have you. Then again, I’m pretty sure I can slam those doors in your face as well.” Ryker mimed tipping a hat at the older doctor.
“We’ll be seeing you in court,” I said as Ryker ushered all of us out of the room. “Bye now. Goodbye.” I gave them a sassy wave over my shoulder.
Nik bumped her shoulder to mine. “Girl…your balls are almost as big as his.”
We both laughed.
“They are fucking not!” Ryker griped as he led Abigail and his mother back to the charge station. “Abigail, outline your statement now. Mom will record it. Once you’re done, go to the police station and give it again. Tell them it concerns the Penn/Amatucci case file that is currently open.”
Abigail nodded as she and Daphne sat behind the station’s massive U-shaped desk.
Ryker grabbed my hand, linked our fingers. “Nik, come on. We’ve got to get to the DAs office before it closes.”
I held up my new phone, shook it, as he stabbed the button for yet another elevator. “We don’t have to do too much. I recorded everything.”
Ryker had me up in his arms with his mouth on mine before the elevator could ding.
“Seriously, you two? Get a room,” Nik said. After a beat, she added, “That I’m not also in.”
Ryker leaned down, let my feet drop back to the floor. “Sorry. But, you’ve got to admit, she’s pretty fucking great.”
We all pushed into the next available car.
“Yeah and I’m sure her vagina is the Valhalla.” Nik rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t mean anyone else wants to jump into heaven.”
Ryker snarled. He opened his mouth.
“And yes, you big strong man. Beat any who try.” Nik thumped a hand to her chest. “Rawr.”
Ryker and I both laughed.
“Nik, you should take up acting. Oscar winner level. Honestly.” I winked at her.
She grinned, fluffed her hair. “If I get bored of staring at screens, I might give being on one a shot. Until that moment of idiocy descends though, I’ll start combing data. It was beyond fishy that Doctor Namby Pamby knew about your supposed psych diagnosis. Even if Ethan hadn’t been an asshole, he was a narcissist. There’s no way he would have been spouting off about his broken wife. I sincerely doubt your parents would have been spraying the knowledge all over God’s kingdom either.” She tapped a finger to her chin. “No. I’d lay even money that they’re all in this up to their rich necks.” She turned to Ryker. “Bossman, I’m nudging the collective. No questions.”
Ryker held up his hands in surrender. “As long as I get access to the final info, have fun. Just please don’t get arrested.”
Nik raised a single eyebrow.
Ryker sighed. “Yes, I’d bail you out. But it would come out of your share, not mine.”
Nik’s smile was radiant. “That’s all I needed to hear.” The door dinged. She dashed off as soon as the space between the doors was wide enough to accommodate her trim body.
I looked up at my guy’s face. “I like her.”
Ryker smiled. “Me too. Let’s get to the DA’s office. I still want to watch a sappy movie with you sometime before midnight hits.”
Chapter 16 – Ryker
“Is there anything else you need from us?” I asked DA Jerrod Wright.
He looked at the mountain of paperwork on his desk. A slight frown marred the skin between his brows. “Got any extra time you can lend me? I think a full month would do it.”
I shook my head. Far too familiar with the pressure of deadlines. “Even if I did, I’m not sure I’d just give it away.”
Wright looked up. Smiled. “I wouldn’t blame you.” He shook his head. “No. With the copy of the recording and everything else we’re finding on the drives from the bunker, this case will likely never see an actual criminal courtroom. If you decide to file criminal charges against the hospital, let me know.”
He looked at Willow. “Are you okay to give your statement now?” He very carefully kept his gaze on her.
She nodded. “I’m not sure how much more I can tell you about before. I’ve done quite a bit to push it from my mind. Most of the salient information is going to be in the copies from Nico.”
Wright stuck a finger up in the air. “Hold on. I’ve got those here.” He flipped through stacks of paper. He held up a snazzy blue folder. “Those Amatuccis sure like to be memorable.” He undid the binding and pulled a stack of papers out that were close to half an inch thick.
I blew a silent whistle. “How the hell did that much information get lost in the police department?”
Wright’s face shut down. “I can’t discuss that right now, but I would like to offer you my sincerest apologies, Willow. The New Trenadie Police Department is top notch. Unfortunately, we’ve become a bit lazy and some truly awful apples made their way into ranks they did not deserve. There is an internal investigation out now. If you would like to press charges against any of the officers who handled any of your case files, please reach out to me.” His smile was a little crooked. “I would ask that you do that later, of course.”
Willow chuckled. “Of course. I’d like to see the girls and women returned to their homes. My issues with select police officers are unimportant in the grand scheme of things.”
Wright smiled warmly. “You’re a good woman.” He flicked the packet again. “And from what I can tell, strong as hell. I need you to read through these, sign them again if they are still accurate to the best of your knowledge. We’ll get to that after this latest statement, if that works for you.” He raised his eyebrows.
Willow nodded. “Of course. Where do you want me to start?”
“Th
e latest incident is the only one we have incomplete—and frankly biased—records on. If you could start there, we’ll move and jump around as needed.” Wright set a small recording device on his desk. He read some information into it before he gestured to Willow. “In your own words, please describe what happened.”
Willow cleared her throat. “Well, I was kidnapped off the street after Ryker and I had an argument.”
**
I slid the newly opened bottle of water to my girl. I was so damn proud, my heart felt like it was on the verge of bursting from my chest and having a parade to sing her praises. She’d done it. Again.
Lived through the horror of reexperiencing the nightmares. She’d only faltered a couple of times as she told her story. But she’d taken some deep breaths and pushed through it.
She’d kept her hand in mine the whole time. Allowed me to be her anchor to reality. I’d relished the responsibility, taken immense joy in being her foundation.
I chuckled to myself. I, the man who wouldn’t allow any of my previous subs to use my first name, was almost as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning that my woman turned to me for emotional ballast. My how times have changed.
How Willow has changed me.
“Mr. Penn?” Wright said.
I quickly sorted through my short term memory. “No, I have nothing else to add.” I squeezed Willow’s hand. “You have my full statement, including admittance to perjury, on record. Is there anything else you need from us? I’d like to get us home at some point while it’s still today.”
I looked out the windows. Full dark had fallen while we sat in here and relived the agony and horror of the past three weeks. I marveled at the idea. It had really been a very short amount of time. Less than a fucking month and it felt like years.
Wright chuckled. “Time flies…I’d say ‘when you’re having fun,’ but I doubt much of this has been fun.” He hit a button on his recorder. “I’ll upload this to our secure server, make sure we have ample copies. It won’t be lost in the future, of that I can personally guarantee you.”
