Page 92 of Intertwined Souls

“Credits to buy or rent people instead of paying for them,” he spits, clenching his fists tightly.

“Fuck,” Nerds says under his breath behind me.

I inhale sharply, trying to keep my voice level. “I know it doesn’t change anything, but I am so sorry that you had to go through this. Just know that it’s over now—”

“You can’t promise that. Especially not to my sister, whose only wish has been to return home to our mom. But we can’t do that with our father out there.” His voice drips with venom as he spits out the word father.

“I actually can. And I will,” I promise him, not breaking eye contact and making sure I sound confident.

I may not know everything about the club, but I do know from Nerds about some of their side work they do, which is how they know Vance. So, it is possible to make sure their father can never do this again.

“It is over now. We will keep you and your sister safe. And if you want us to find your mom, we will. We will make sure she is safe for you guys to go back to. Tell us what you want, and we will help you,” I swear to him.

I force myself to put confidence in my words as I speak to him even though I actually feel sick to my stomach about all of this. But coming off strong for him, letting him see that someone else has him—has both of them—allows him to stop for just a moment and feel the pain that I know he has been keeping deep inside just to keep his sister calm and protected.

He’s been the rock. The strong leader, and now he can finally realize that he doesn’t need to be. We’ve got him. I have him.

His shoulders drop, and he takes a shuddering breath as a few tears leak from his eyes.

I reach forward and place my hand on top of his. “You’re safe now,” I tell him.

He stares down at my hand and then slowly looks up at me. His lower lip trembles, and then he finally releases it all and bursts into tears. Standing up, I move to sit on the edge of his bed by his hip, and he immediately sits forward and wraps his arms around me as he cries.

We can only imagine what he went through. We don’t even know how long they were there or how many times they might have been taken to different homes.

He may be a boy, but that doesn't lessen his trauma, and him finally breaking down doesn’t make him less of a boy or a man. The realization hits me hard in the chest that I am no less than Ryker or Cade, or anyone else just because I have to feel things more openly and in different ways than other men do.

Rubbing his back, I continually remind him he is safe and allow him to let it all out.

(Section Break)

A while later, Anthony has calmed down enough to sleep while his sister is still out from the sedatives that Brielle and Doc gave her. We were able to get some more information we needed from him so we can look into his parents and figure out next steps for them. Tia was looked over and taken care and then given something to help her sleep, so we won’t get to talk with her until tomorrow.

Now, Harley and I are finally leaving the med room where we find Ryker leaning against the wall opposite the door in the hall. Once I shut the door softly behind us, Ry steps towards us and holds his arms out.

“Group hug. We all need it,” he says, beckoning us closer with a wave.

Harley lets out a tired chuckle, and I shake my head, but we walk into his arms.

Ryker kisses each of our foreheads and says, “Everyone did so fucking amazing today. It was so much, but we did it, and we helped these people. We gave them safety and peace. We did that.”

Smiling softly, I rest my head against his shoulder and let my eyes fall shut. We haven’t really talked about us or what is going to happen, but right now, this is exactly what I needed. What we needed.

We finally pull away, and Harley rubs her eyes before saying, “I want to go sit with Oakley for a bit now that the others are all sleeping.”

Ryker purses his lips. “She is also out, and we don’t know when she’ll wake up. Someone will always be watching over her for whenever she does. We need to all go to sleep. You can check on her tomorrow. Cade went to run off his energy and just take some time to himself, but he should be back any minute, so let’s go to Rage’s and get some sleep.”

Harley opens her mouth but is cut off by Ryker quickly kissing her and then pulling back.

He tuts, “Nope. Let’s go.” He puts an arm over her shoulder and nudges her in front of him before leading her out the back door toward Rage’s house.

I chuckle while following them out where we find Cade and Bear walking back through the large yard from the woods.

He nods at us. “I’m going to feed Bear, then I’ll be over.”

Harley

After a much-needed shower, I finally climb into bed with the guys following suit into what is apparently our new normal sleeping arrangement. Cade on one side of me, with Gray on the other side and Ryker squeezing in between Grayson and I’s legs.

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