Page 12

Danny

“I’ve got everything she will need here,” I said, handing Val a thick manila envelope. “It’s going to take me some time to clean this mess up. Her husband is a decorated cop and all of his friends on the force have been covering for him. Say what you want, but the Boston police force is no joke. The corruption runs deep in that city.”

Val stared at the documents in her hands, a mix of awe and unease in her eyes. “This is incredible, but how did you do it? And so fast?” she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of admiration and concern.

“I have my ways,” I replied with a slight smile, knowing full well the intricate web of connections and favors I had pulled to make this happen. “But more importantly, is she ready for this? A new identity and a fresh start is one thing, but she needs to understand her life is going to be nothing like the one she’s fleeing. If they ever find her.”

Val’s expression softened as she looked at the young woman we were helping, a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of a powerful and corrupt husband. “She’s scared, but she’s brave. And after what he did, she knows this is her only option. She’ll adapt and with this new identity, she can finally be free.”

Val’s words echoed in my mind as I watched the scared woman, her hand instinctively going to her busted lip. The bruises on her face were a stark reminder of the abuse she had endured.

I had spent countless nights forging documents, covering tracks and pulling strings to ensure her escape. Though my methods were unorthodox and often walked a fine line between legality and deception, I was driven by a sense of justice. Unspeakable cruelty marred this woman’s life and she deserved a chance to reclaim her freedom.

The young woman looked up at me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and tentative hope. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I replied softly, my gaze steady. “Just promise me you’ll seize this chance with everything you’ve got.”

She nodded, her resolve hardening. “I will.”

As we stood in a dimly lit room on the outskirts of Boston, a silent understanding passed between us. I knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but I could see she was determined to see this through.

Val placed a reassuring hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Kytten will be with you every step of the way,” she said; her voice filled with unwavering support.

Never had I witnessed such a brutal beating. It was a wonder she had the courage to escape at all. Her fear was palpable, but so was her determination.

I could see it in her eyes—a flicker of hope amidst the terror.

“I’ve taken care of everything,” I assured her gently, my voice steady and calm. “You have a new identity now, a fresh start. Your old life is behind you and your husband’s influence will no longer haunt you.” I explained to her how I had erased all traces of her existence from the web and provided her with a new birth certificate, social security card, and driver’s license. I even set up a new bank account with a substantial sum to help her start over.

As I spoke, her eyes widened and I could see the mix of emotions playing out across her face. She was grateful, but also apprehensive about the unknown that lay ahead.

“It’s okay to be scared,” Val kneeled beside her and whispered softly. “But remember, you are brave. You survived and now you have the power to shape your new life. Embrace this opportunity and know that you are stronger than you think.”

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Kytten, one of Val’s girls, said, her voice gentle and reassuring. “But you’re safe now and that’s what matters.”

The battered woman looked up, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting her husband to burst through the door at any moment.

“We’re going to help you get as far away as possible,” Val continued. “Someplace warm and sunny, where you can start over and leave this nightmare behind.”

The woman’s eyes lit up at the mention of a new beginning, and I saw a glimmer of the person she could become—confident, free and happy. “I have a friend in California,” Val offered. “She runs a small inn by the beach. You can stay there as long as you need, and we’ll make sure your husband can never find you.”

A small smile appeared on her face and I knew she was beginning to believe in the possibility of a future free from fear.

“I’ll book the flights for tomorrow,” I said decisively.

As I watched her process this newfound hope, I felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that I had played a part in helping her escape a terrible fate.

I gasped, bolting up from my bed, my body drenched in sweat, my heart thumping hard like a drum in my chest as memories of an unknown woman rushed forward. I knew she was important, but I couldn’t remember why. All I knew was that she was in danger and I was supposed to be helping her.

The room was dark, the only light coming from the moon casting eerie shadows through the blinds. I took deep breaths, trying to calm the storm inside me. Who was she and why did it feel like I had failed her? I needed answers.

I reached for my phone, my hands trembling slightly as I dialed a familiar number. She picked up on the second ring, her voice groggy from sleep. “Danny? What’s wrong?” she asked, concern evident in her tone.

“I had a nightmare about the woman,” I replied, my voice shaking. “I think she’s in trouble. We need to find her.”

Val’s silence spoke volumes. “Danny, I told you that memories could come back in pieces and they would be confusing.”

“This is different. You were there in my dream. So was Kytten. The woman was black and blue, Val. I think she was one of your rescues.”

“What can you remember about the woman?”

“Not much. Someone beat the hell out of her. In the dream, she got the deluxe package. That’s important, right?”

“Yeah,” Val muttered. “It is. Can you tell me anything else?”

“Only that her husband was someone dangerous,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. My head was pounding again. “God, I’m fucking everything up. I know I should know who this woman is, but I can’t remember. I can’t remember anything.”

“Take a deep breath for me, Danny. You’ve suffered a major trauma. Having flashbacks tells me your memories are starting to come back. Don’t force it. Let them come back naturally.”

“I can’t shake this feeling that I’m supposed to be protecting someone important. I can feel it in my gut, Val. Someone is in danger because I can’t remember.”

“Let me make a few calls to ensure everything is okay in Nevada. I want you to rest and get some sleep. I’ve got to go. Sleep, Danny. That’s an order.” I clearly heard her say before the line went dead.

“Why are we here again?” I asked, looking around as kids played and laughed like they didn’t have a care in the world. I guess, considering everything, they truly didn’t have a care in the world. They had parents who loved them, food in their stomachs, clean clothes, and a bed to sleep in.

For all intents and purposes, all was right in their worlds.

“Because fresh air does the body good,” Stella snarked, plopping her ass onto the bench next to me. “You can’t stay cooped up in that fancy Taj Mahal of yours forever. You’ll go stir crazy. Besides, maybe seeing something new will jog a memory or two.”

Looking at the woman I loved like a sister, I asked, “And this adventure into nature has nothing to do with Digger coming home stone-cold drunk last night?”

“Shut up.” She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Chuckling, I shook my head. “You know Dig loves you, Stella. I don’t know why you keep getting jealous when he’s not around. He will never stray.”

“You don’t know that,” she whispered; her eyes glued to the kids that played before us. “Nothing is for certain in this life, Danny. You know that better than most, even if you can’t remember.”

“I know that man worships the ground you walk on. There isn’t anything he won’t do for you. So, what’s this really about?”

“I want a baby.”

“Then go tell Dig to strip and give you one.”

“He doesn’t want one.”

Confused, I looked at the woman, trying to make sense of what she just said. “Hang on,” I sputtered, trying to formulate the right words. “Digger? The biggest kid in the clubhouse? The manchild who acts like a toddler most days doesn’t want a kid of his own?”

“Yep.” Stella nodded. “That’s what he said.”

“That makes no sense. Generally, Dig does whatever you say. No questions asked. Why is he dragging his feet on this?”

Stella slowly turned her head and looked at me, her eyes boring into mine, silently conveying what I already knew.

It was raining when Digger carried Stella into the clubhouse one night. Her face was black and blue. Mom ran over to them, barking orders as my dad walked out of his office. He took one look at Stella and knew what had happened.

Without a word, he strode over to her, his face a mask of controlled fury.

Stella’s eyes were wide with fear and pain, as she clung to Digger like her life depended on it. The storm outside was nothing compared to the tempest brewing within our four walls. Dad’s nostrils flared while he tried to keep his composure as several club brothers got to their feet, checking weapons, waiting for the word.

It was clear someone was going to pay dearly for what had been done to Stella.

Mom, ever the healer, was already tending to Stella’s wounds, her hands gentle but efficient. She spoke soothingly, trying to calm the girl who had become more family than friend. Her voice, usually so strong and commanding, was now a soft murmur of reassurance and love.

Digger stood by, his shoulders hunched and fists clenched. He was a gentle giant, known for his strength and loyalty, but tonight his eyes were filled with a protective rage. We all knew that Digger secretly loved Stella. Digger grew up in the clubhouse, surrounded by love and family. He never had to live in fear like Stella, but seeing her now, I knew Digger was ready to unleash his fury on whoever dared to lay a hand on her.

Dad finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “Who did this to you, Stella?” His eyes locked onto her, willing her to speak, to give him the name of the person who had caused her so much pain.

Stella hesitated, her gaze flickering between Dad and Digger, before finally settling on Mom. She whispered, her voice trembling, “He found out that Digger gave me a ride home yesterday and... he lost it.”

Dad’s face darkened, and he nodded once, sharply.

“That’s all I needed to know,” he said, turning on his heel and heading for the door. “Roxy, I’ll be back later.”

Mom didn’t ask. She knew where Dad was going. We all did. Dig gently held Stella in his arms as he watched my dad walk out of the clubhouse.

As Mom continued to care for Stella, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. “We’ll make sure he never hurts you again,” she promised, her voice firm. “You’re safe here, with us.”

And she had been because the club ensured it.

“Oh,” I whispered as the realization dawned on me.

“Yeah.” Stella sighed. “There you have it. I’m destined to be a barren woman with empty arms.”

Rolling my eyes at her dramatics, I groaned, “Say the word, Stella, and I will take care of it.”

“No.” She vehemently shook her head. “You’ve got enough on your plate already. Not bogging you down with my shit, too. The problem is technically taken care of, even if it’s not what Digger wanted. I just have to wait for the fucker to die. He can’t live forever. Hell, maybe I’ll get lucky and a prisoner will shank the fucker for breathing too heavily.”