Page 10 of Journey

“And that means he’s not a good man?”

“It means he’s a scoundrel.”

“Is that how the others feel as well?”

I wave my hand dismissively and sit down on the couch across from the therapist. “You know how they are. Vixen wants to try him out for herself, and Rose thinks Wren needs to be more careful with her body. Kirby and Annie are too young to be subjected to such things, so they plug their ears to avoid hearing anything about it. And Mavis is blissfully unaware of the entire event because she checks out whenever a man is involved.”

“Is Wren planning on seeing this man again?”

Not if I have anything to say about it.

“If she’d bothered to get his phone number, she probably would. Fortunately, she didn’t.”

“Fortunate for who? Wren? Or you?”

“I don’t like what you’re suggesting, Dr. Young.”

“What is it you think I’m suggesting, Peg?”

“That I’m selfish. That we all are. That our existence to protect Wren is somehow tainted by ulterior motives.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way. I was merely trying to determine why you all are so adamant that Wren still needs your protection. It’s been years since her trauma, and she’s a smart, capable woman.”

Indignation wraps around me like a cold hug. “If you think we’re just going to abandon her, you’re not the competent therapist I thought you were.” Shifting on the sofa, I stare at her diploma that’s hanging on the wall.

“Peg, we’ve talked about this. I want to help Wren as much as you, but insulting me isn’t how we accomplish that. Now, can you please get Wren for me? I’d really like to talk to her.”

Returning my focus to Dr. Young, I stare at her for several long moments as if I can ascertain any hidden agenda. Her face begins to blur, and my body relaxes.

“Wren?” Dr. Young asks.

I shake my head to clear it. “What were we talking about? I, um, don’t remember.”

Dr. Young smiles reassuringly. “I asked you if anything exciting happened since our last session.”

I grin at the memory of my night with Journey and nod. “Yeah.”

“Care to tell me what it was?”

“I met someone.”

CHAPTER 5

JOURNEY

I’m stubborn and won’t stop.

“P-p-please don’t k-kill me.”

I glance at Poker, the club’s enforcer, and the excitement on his face rivals my own. We’ve had Niles, a piece of shit gun for hire, in the Nightmare Room for a few hours now, but he has yet to tell us what we want to hear.

“Oh, we’re not gonna kill you,” I tell him. “Yet.”

“Shit, maybe we’ll spare your life completely,” Poker adds. “But first, tell us who hired you.”

“I already tol?—”

My knuckles burn as I deliver another blow to his face. “And we obviously don’t believe you,” I snap.

---