Page 15 of Breaker

I reached out, taking her small hand in mine. “You don’t have to face this alone. My brothers and I will make sure your uncle pays for what he’s done, one way or another. And if Surge finds video evidence…”

She shook her head. “No. Those families have been through so much. I don’t want them knowing there’s video of what happened to their daughters. That’s just too cruel.”

I sighed. “Then we’ll do it without turning over any video evidence.”

She looked up at me, her gray eyes searching mine. “If we turn him in, it’ll be my word against his. He’s got money, connections. He hid all that stuff before. What if they don’t believe me?”

“Then we’ll find another way. It just might not paint me in a favorable light.” I paused. “The club, we’ve dealt with men like your uncle before. We have our ways of making sure justice is served.”

Her brows furrowed, a hint of apprehension creeping into her expression. “What do you mean?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Sometimes, when the law fails, we take matters into our own hands. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done. We’ve put more than a few abusers and predators in the ground over the years.”

Juniper’s eyes widened, but to my surprise, there was no fear in them. Only a grim understanding, a resignation to the harsh realities of the world we lived in. Then again, she’d witnessed her uncle murder two kids and had lived on the streets for years. It wasn’t like she was some sheltered woman who’d never had to fight to survive.

“I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me,” she said softly, her fingers tightening around mine. “I can’t let him keep doing this, Breaker. I can’t live with myself knowing he’s out there, hurting other girls. I don’t care if he’s out on parole. He won’t stop. He likes it too much.”

“He won’t get away with it,” I vowed.

As the weight of my words settled over us, I felt the tension in the room begin to dissipate, replaced by a fragile sense of hope. Juniper’s shoulders relaxed, the rigid set of her spine easing as she leaned back against the couch cushions. Her grip on my hand remained firm, a tether holding her steady in the midst of the emotional storm.

I studied her face, taking in the way the shadows played across her delicate features. Even now, with her eyes red-rimmed and her cheeks stained with tears, she was breathtaking.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the ceiling fan. “For believing me. For being here.”

I squeezed her hand, offering a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m right where I want to be.”

She returned my smile, a tentative curve of her lips that sent my heart racing. In that moment, I knew I’d do anything to keep that smile on her face, to chase away the darkness that had haunted her for so long.

Reluctantly, I released her hand and stood, my legs protesting the sudden movement after sitting for so long. “I’ll talk to Surge in the morning. We’ll figure out our next steps, see if he can work his magic and find out who that girl was.”

Juniper nodded, her eyes shining with gratitude. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this. You’ve done so much for me already.”

I shook my head, chuckling softly. “You don’t owe me a thing, sweetheart. Just keep being you, keep fighting. That’s all the payment I need.”

With a final smile, I turned and headed for the porch, my mind already spinning with plans and possibilities. God help Robert Murray when we finally caught up to him. Because one way or another, he was going to pay for every last one of his sins. I’d make damn sure of that.

Chapter Seven

Juniper

My fingers traced the edge of the manila folder, a nervous habit I couldn’t shake. Across the kitchen table, Surge typed steadily on his laptop, the clacking of keys a soothing rhythm. His presence was like a beacon in the storm, steadfast and reassuring.

I heard him pause and I glanced up, meeting Surge’s eyes. He gave me a small nod, his gaze flickering to the folder before returning to mine. It was a gentle encouragement, urging me to take the next step.

With a shaky breath, I flipped open the cover. The rasp of paper against paper seemed amplified in the quiet room. Inside lay a stack of photographs, their glossy surfaces catching the light.

“Take your time, Juniper,” Surge said softly. “There’s no rush. I’m right here with you.”

I swallowed hard, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. His compassion wrapped around me like a warm embrace, giving me the strength to continue. Slowly, I spread the photos across the tabletop. A chill raced down my spine as I took in the images.

Young women, their faces frozen in eternal youth, stared back at me. Their eyes were hollow, devoid of the spark of life. It was like looking at ghosts, remnants of lives cut short.

My heart clenched painfully in my chest. How many more girls were out there, their stories untold? Surge’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “We’ll find the answers. Together. You’re not alone in this.”

I met his steady gaze, drawing strength from the determination I saw there. He was right -- I wasn’t alone anymore. With a shuddering breath, I turned my attention back to the photographs spread before me, ready to face the truth they held.

My eyes scanned the images, taking in every heartbreaking detail. Each photograph was a window into a life stolen too soon, a future cut short by unfathomable cruelty. As I studied their faces, a flicker of recognition sparked in my mind. I leaned closer, my breath catching in my throat as the realization hit me with the force of a physical blow.

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