Page 21 of Finish Line

They let me cry until I turn over and face them again.

I sigh. “Dom, Mav, and Luke?”

Nick grimaces. “We discovered how they were constantly being hypnotized and managed to stop it from continuing. We’re still trying to find someone to undo the hypnosis, but they have been acting a little more like themselves regarding others around them. They’re confused and still have a lot of headaches.”

I wave my hands. “Is Dom and Mav hurt? I was at their place, and Roger told me he had someone on the inside, and if I didn’t rob them, then he was going to kill the twins. They caught me.”

I put my hands over my eyes as I’m rocking back and forth. “Please tell me they weren’t hurt.”

“They’re fine, Shelby. Do you hear me? They are fine. Frank and I figured out what you were trying to tell him.”

I heard what he subtly didn’t say. The guys still hate me, and they always will unless the hypnosis is reversed. But they’re fine. Roger didn’t hurt them because I screwed up.

When I got away from Roger the first time, I remember what it was like. The constant headaches and illnesses that plagued me.

“Frank said it looked like it hurt you to try to tell him about the rat, so thank you for telling us about it. It was a security guard who cut the cameras that night, and we found out that a maid had put sleeping pills in their drinks.”

That’s good. I open my eyes and glance down at my body. I’m covered in dirt and leaves. They say I’ve been gone a month, and I must stink to high heaven. Plus, I keep feeling his hands on me. I want to scrub him off me.

“Can I shower?” I fight the urge to wipe the shadow-hands away.

Nick peers down at his feet. “Not yet, Shelby. They want to do a rape kit.”

I swallow before shaking my head. “There’s no reason for them to do one.”

“So, you weren’t raped?” the nurse asks as she walks in.

I look at Nick. For some reason, I don’t want him to know.

Cin catches me looking at Nick. She walks over and whispers something in his ear.

He gives me a sad smile and walks out of the room.

“I would recommend getting a rape kit done. That way, you have evidence against him when they find him,” the nurse continues.

I look at the dry blood on my hands. “It won’t be necessary.”

She smiles at me gently. “I’ll give you some time to think about it, but I recommend you have one.”

“She just said no. Does everyone here have a hearing problem?” Cin berates the nurse.

“Miss, I’m just doing my job. If she was raped, she needs a rape test,” the nurse states adamantly.

Every time someone says that word, I cringe. I zone out… my ears are ringing. I can’t hear what’s going on.

Mom walks in. Her mouth is moving, but I still can’t hear.

She pushes the nurse out, shuts the door, then walks over to me. When she goes to hug me, I cower. For a few seconds, she can’t figure out what to do.

“I want to go home, Mom,” I sob and raise my head, glancing at my mom.

Her eyes are all red, and she has bags under them.

“Honey…” She swallows “You need medical attention.”

Tears cloud my vision. “Please.”

I’ve never begged her for anything in my life, and I always told myself I never would after the last time she left me for drugs. But I’m begging now.

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