Page 48 of Dauntless

“Would you believe me?” Angel’s eyes widened at Elliott.

“Yes, I will,” Elliott said with conviction.

“We all do,” Dane told her and squeezed her hand. She looked at me, and I nodded emphatically.

“No, we don’t,” Walter snarled. “This is becoming a witch-hunt. The only way Elliott could believe all this is because he has something against me. I’m leaving.” Walter stormed toward the door. Elliott was on his feet taking ahold of his arms.

“Unhand me,” Walter demanded, but Elliott held on to him.

“You can stay a few more minutes to hear from the woman you said you love,” Elliott said to him contemptuously.

“Tell us,” Dane prodded Angel.

“Walter, it’s okay. You see Walter has to call himself Simon for my game,” Angel said, looking at him. “He brought me to the men who liked to play with me. He gave Melinda to a nanny, so she won’t be like me, but it’s not so bad now Walter, don’t you see? Nella will help me care for Melinda in New York just like I said it would be. You don’t need to trade or punish me again. Dimitri hurt me, but he wanted to hurt Dane as well. I won’t let that happen.” She turned toward Dane. “Would you help Melinda too, Dane? I’ll stay away just like Walter had with Dimitri. Melinda needs to be distanced from me so that she doesn’t turn out like me.”

Dane placed his arm around her small frame and kissed her forehead. Tears fell down his face. “Melinda loves you. You’ll raise her. You don’t have to stay away from her ever again.”

“She’s talking nonsense,” Walter hissed. “I wasn’t in contact with her. Simon was the name the blackmailer gave me too. The Agency must use it when they want to hide their names for blackmails.”

“Walter, we’re going to need more from you if you want to remain out of jail,” Elliott said. “You’ll need to go in tonight.”

“Tomorrow,” Walter said. “I’ve cooperated here. I’ll go in with my lawyer in the morning.” He took out his phone.

Trish turned to Elliott and spoke in hushed tones. “We can’t let him go. He’s in deep with the trafficking ring. He might try to destroy evidence. Let’s go find a judge who will sign off on a search warrant tonight and arrest him now. I’ll follow up with the hospital and lab. There must be an answer somewhere. This could blow open her case.” She glimpsed over at me.

“We need to act now,” Elliott told her then turned to me. “You should go,” I agreed. And so should I. I glanced over at Dane and Angel. The two of them were holding each other close. I didn’t want to interrupt them. It was clear Dane was still in love with her. Perhaps, in time, Angel would find her way back to him. Dane deserved that. I looked at Elliott and said, “I’ll see you when you’re finished.”

“You can do what you like, but you won’t be able to hold me in jail for this, Elliott,” Walter said smugly. “You’ll embarrass yourself and your entire department by trying. It’ll be a lost cause, just like my stupid, blind son, and mark my words, I’ll never cooperate again.”

“I want my father out of my house,” Dane said to Elliott and Trish.

“The police are on their way,” Trish announced. “We’ll still need your statement, Walter, or you can go on record that you refused to give it.”

“I’ll be right back,” Elliott said, then he took my hand and walked me out to the car.

He opened the car door, but before I climbed in, he pulled me into a deep kiss. “I brought some tea with me. You can rest up before I come for you.”

I grinned. “I don’t need it tonight.”

“I wish I could go back with you now,” he said and stroked his jaw. “I’ll try to be…”

“As long as you need to be,” I said. “I’ll be at the hotel.” He smiled and kissed me again.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Walter by the window staring out at us and shivered. He was as cruel as they come. “You’ll pay for what you done.” It was a vow I made right then. I’d do whatever it took to stop The Agency and people like Walter from hurting anyone again.

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