Page 158 of Reckless Vow

“I don’t mind if you’re jealous, it shows you care.” He shrugs and picks up his iced tea.

“Who are you watching, Baldo?”

“Not watching. I was trying to find someone.”

“Who?”

“The man who assaulted you.”

That scenario is so outlandish in my mind that my first reaction is a chuckle. But it sounds more like a wail.

His words form into comprehension and splash me with a cold shower of apprehension.

Oxygen doesn’t reach my lungs.

My mind throws me back into that night.

The snake tattoo. The acid breath. The pain. The tears.

My right hand shakes violently.

I grab it with the other one.

“Is that even possible?”

“I wasn’t sure. So many years have passed, and there weren’t many clues to follow. But if there was anyone who could find him, it’s Art.”

I take a sip of water, but my mouth remains dry.

“And?”

“I found him. Well, Art did.”

“Thank you.”

I don’t know why I say that, because I never wanted him to do this. I don’t want to dig into that part of my past anymore.

And it’s not like I’m going to press charges now, after all this time. A better person would. A better person would consider all the other victims. But I’m not that person.

I packed up and left the country. To survive. To heal.

“Don’t thank me. As much as I would like to admit this is a misplaced attempt at chivalry, to avenge you, that’s only a small part of my motivation. I’m doing this for myself.”

“Then why are you telling me?”

“So you know that he’s no longer a threat.”

I laugh. “It’s not like with him gone all the violence on the streets is removed. Besides, it’s not like he’ll be arrested.”

“He could be.”

I shake my head. This is the worst date ever. “I don’t care.”

“Brook, I have a file, a rock solid file that would give the DA enough to put him away for the rest of his life. Not for what he did to you, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll use all my influence to make that happen.”

I had struggled with my decision to let the monster go unpunished, but I had to let it go because there wasn’t much I could have done once I re-emerged from the fog of my trauma.

But Baldo is not seeing what truly matters here.

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