Page 84 of Matrix

“What if it’s weeks? Or months?” I ask.

“As long as it takes.”

“What if she never wants to talk about it? Or what if she truly doesn’t know anything about his connection to the cartel?”

“We’ll worry about that after we hear what she has to say. For now, try not to stress about it. I promise you I’m not going to rush her. Everyone in the club is concerned about her well-being. You’re family now. So is she. We’ll take care of you both.”

I nod as a wave of gratitude washes over me. After spending the last year afraid—afraid of not finding her in time, afraid of what the future held for us—I don’t have to be scared anymore. I’m safe in Matrix’s arms, and Angie will be protected while we’re at the clubhouse. These men have done more to help us than the FBI ever did. I’ll be forever grateful to them, but I still don’t know if I can live an outlaw’s life.

“What else is bothering you?” he asks.

“Nothing.” I hide my face so he can’t see the lie written all over it.

A soft knock sounds on the door.

“Come in,” Matrix calls.

Nina walks in. After closing the door behind her, she stands next to the bed.“Angie’s sleeping now. I gave her some chamomile tea to help her nod off.”

“Thank you.” I smile softly.

“Can I get you two anything? Dinner? Condoms?”

“Nina!” Matrix flushes.

“Oh please, like I haven’t seen the way you two eye-fuck each other constantly. I’m glad you’re finally screwing so the rest of us don’t have to witness the endless puppy dog eyes.” She smirks and puts her hands on her hips.

“Get out. Please.” Matrix grins while pointing at the door.

She laughs as she leaves the room.

“I swear, she still treats us like the kids she saved,” he mutters.

“Nina rescued you? From Blackstone’s?”

“No. Not directly. After we escaped, we needed a warm place to stay during the winter. We found a huge barn and hid there. Nina figured out what was going on, and she started leaving us food. Slowly, we began to trust her. Eventually, she and her old man, Winchester, welcomed us into their home. They took care of us, and we stayed with them for years.”

“I didn’t realize you went that far back.”

“She saved our lives. Not just physically but also mentally. She knew something had happened to us but never directly asked us about it. She told us if we needed to go to the police, she’d help us. We refused. We’d seen cops at Blackstone’s place and knew they couldn’t be trusted.”

“You never reported him.”

“Who’d believe us, a bunch of runaways who fled the generosity of our billionaire benefactor?” Sarcasm twists his mouth into a grimace.

“I’m so sorry. I wish I could arrest him for you right now.”

“It would never hold up in court. People still see him as a benevolent billionaire who loves to help children. They won’t believe he’s really a monster without solid proof. Even back then, he was too cunning to be outsmarted by a few kids. After we escaped, he stopped adoptinghelpless orphans.” He air quotes.“As far as we know, he’s never adopted anyone since we left. Back then, we were such a mess we couldn’t have stood up to him even if we’d wanted to. We were weak, and we didn’t have any proof of what he did to us. Right after we escaped, if we’d tried to tell people what he did, they would have chalked it up to us being ungrateful brats.

“Now, we’ve got a shot at bringing him down because Angie and the other girls don’t have any connection to him. There’s no reason for them to lie. We’re hoping Angie can testify against him because no one can argue with a victim willing to stand up to the monster who hurt them.”

“I agree that we need to do this sooner than later. If we wait too long, her credibility will start to wane. I’ll talk to her tomorrow and see how she’s feeling.”

“Only if you think she’s ready.”

“If she’s not, I’ll know it.” I kiss him softly.“Matrix, I love you, and no matter what happens, we’re going to get Blackstone.”

“I hope so,” he whispers before kissing me back.