Page 61 of Wilde In His Arms

That would help him figure out a timeline, once he pieced the other kidnappings together and put it all into one complete story.

“Did Javier ever hurt you like Perry did?”

She shook her head.“He came around sometimes, but mostly Julia kept us in the cellar and took me to the bad men in the cabins or at the big place.”

“The resort.”

She nodded.

He didn’t want to get into what happened to her in the cabins and at the resort.They’d have a child psychologist ask those questions in a way that wouldn’t cause more damage.He was not qualified for that.“Is there anything else you want to tell us?”

“Nicole told me to ask them their names, so we could tell the police.”

“Do you remember some of the names?”

She nodded again.“All of them.She made us remember.We’d say them, so we never forgot who hurt us, so we could hurt them.”

Nick hugged her tighter.“You are amazing.I will make sure that you get to hurt them.”He'd arrest every single one and ruin their lives the way they ruined this little girl’s childhood.And it would be Stacy who ultimately won by living the rest of her life free, while those bastards rotted in a cell, having lost everything.

Aria sniffed back tears.“Sweetheart, you are the bravest, strongest, most fantastic person I’ve ever known.You will get your chance to make them pay for hurting you.And then you are going to do big, bold things with your life.I know it.”

“Can I come live with you?”The desperate plea hit Nick like a sledgehammer to the heart.“I don’t want to go back with him.”Her eyes begged him.“Please.Don’t make me go back.”

“Nick?What happens next?”Aria asked.

“I’m going to save Stacy.She will not go back with her father.”The man didn’t deserve that name.“I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“Sweetheart, it’s going to be hard to get through this.”Aria reassured Stacy.“But you are going to be okay.You will be safe.And I promise you, you will see me soon.Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now you do what Nick says and he will keep you safe, even if you have to be with someone else for a little while.Nick will make sure it’s someone good.”

Nick nodded at Stacy.“Would you feel safe with your grandmother?”

Tears fell over her cheeks.“I want Aria.”

A knock sounded on the door.“Nick, it’s me.Everything okay?”Agent Hayward asked.

“Wait right there, but give me a sec.”He kept his focus on Stacy.“Why don’t you want to go with your grandmother?”

“She hates me more than she hates my dad.She says he’s a deadbeat dad and she didn’t want another brat to take care of.”

Well that was unexpected.“Okay.Well, I can’t get you to Aria right now.She’s in another state and we need you here while we work on this case.So you’ll have to be placed in protective custody with agents until we catch Javier.I promise the agents will be nice.They won’t hurt you.Okay?”

Aria asked, “Nick, you’ll give me the agent’s name so I can check on her, right?”

“No.It’s not safe to give out the name or location.I’m sorry.But I’ll be able to get updates on Stacy and fill you in.”

Aria wouldn’t abandon Stacy.

Nick knew Aria’s big heart wouldn’t let her rest until Stacy was with people who would love her.“Say goodbye to Aria.And let’s go get one of the bad guys who hurt you.”

Stacy nodded, then looked down.“I need to change my clothes.”Her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.

Nick had forgotten she’d wet her pants when her father touched her.“We’ll get you all cleaned up.Promise.”He held the phone close to her again.

“Bye, Aria.Thanks again for all my stuff.”

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