Page 50 of Rescuing Ember

Ember’s shoulders tense, but she nods. As we move to the living room, she curls into the corner of the sofa, making herself as small as possible. The fierce protectiveness I felt earlier roars back to life.

I pull out my phone and dial Jenny. “I need you and Jon in the living room.”

Moments later, Jenny and Jon enter, their faces etched with concern. Jenny’s eyes narrow as she takes in the scene—Ember huddled in the corner, wearing my shirt, and me, shirtless, trying desperately to look normal.

“What’s going on?” Jenny’s voice is sharp, all business.

I turn to Ember, giving her an encouraging nod. “Ember has some information that could be crucial. Go ahead, Ember. Take your time.”

Ember takes a deep breath, her fingers playing with the hem of my shirt. “It was years ago. I was living on the streets, tryingto survive however I could. There was this abandoned building where a lot of us would crash…”

As she speaks, painting a picture of a horrifying existence, I lean in, hanging on her every word. Jenny and Jon listen intently, their expressions growing grimmer with each passing moment.

When Ember finishes recounting her history with Bruiser, I can see the wheels turning in Jenny’s mind, but something is missing, a crucial link we’re overlooking.

“Ember,” I prod gently, “is there anything else you remember? Anything about the people Bruiser was involved with?”

Ember’s brow furrows, her eyes distant as she searches her memories. “There was… There was a man. He would come around, recruiting boys like Bruiser. Boys who—who didn’t care about hurting little girls.” Her voice catches, and I resist the urge to pull her into my arms.

“Can you tell us more about this man?” Jenny presses, her voice softer than I’ve ever heard it.

Ember nods slowly. “He was—different. Not like the other street thugs. He moved like—like a predator. Lean, wiry, but you could tell he was dangerous.” She pauses, her eyes squeezing shut as if the memory causes her physical pain. “His eyes were the worst part. Cold, calculating. Like he was always three steps ahead of everyone else.”

My blood runs cold. The description matches what we know about the Night Pack’s leader. “Do you remember his name?”

She shakes her head. “No, but… He had a nickname. The others called him ‘The Wolf.’ ”

Jenny and Jon exchange a loaded glance. We all know who she’s describing—Damien Wolfe, the elusive leader of the Night Pack.

“What else do you remember about him?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Ember’s fingers tighten on the hem of my shirt. “He was—charming when he wanted to be. A smooth talker. But his voice… There was always an edge to it, like a knife hidden in silk.” She swallows hard. “He recruited boys like Bruiser. Offering them power, money, drugs… Anything they wanted, but the price was always the same—loyalty and a willingness to do anything he asked, even if it meant dying for him.”

“When was the last time you saw him?” Jon asks, his pen poised over a notepad.

Ember’s eyes meet mine, and the pain I see there makes my chest ache.

“About seven years ago, not long after… After what happened with Bruiser. But he was around consistently for a while, always looking for recruits.”

The pieces start to fall into place—Bruiser’s connection to the Night Pack, the tattoo, and the years of built-up criminal enterprise. It’s all connected—a web of exploitation and violence with Damien Wolfe at the center.

Not to mention his connection to Aria’s father.

“Ember,” Jenny asks, “do you realize what this means? If we can get you to testify…”

“No. No way. I can’t… I won’t testify. I can’t face him again.” Fear flashes across Ember’s face. “He’ll hunt me down and kill me.”

EIGHTEEN

Blaze

I reach out,taking Ember’s hand in mine before I can stop myself. “Hey, look. You don’t have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with, but this information could save lives. We can protect you.”

“Can you?” Ember’s stern gaze locks onto mine, searching for something. “Can you protect me from someone like that?” The doubt in her voice cuts deep.

“With my life.” I mean every word.

For a moment, the world narrows to just the two of us. The air between us feels charged, electric. I lean in, drawn by some invisible force. Ember’s lips part slightly, her eyes wide.

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