Page 28 of Devil in Disguise

“We’re going to help you get as far away as possible,” Val continued. “Someplace warm and sunny, where you can start over and leave this nightmare behind.”

The woman’s eyes lit up at the mention of a new beginning, and I saw a glimmer of the person she could become—confident, free and happy. “I have a friend in California,” Val offered. “She runs a small inn by the beach. You can stay there as long as you need, and we’ll make sure your husband can never find you.”

A small smile appeared on her face and I knew she was beginning to believe in the possibility of a future free from fear.

“I’ll book the flights for tomorrow,” I said decisively.

As I watched her process this newfound hope, I felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that I had played a part in helping her escape a terrible fate.

I gasped, bolting up from my bed, my body drenched in sweat, my heart thumping hard like a drum in my chest as memories of an unknown woman rushed forward. I knew she was important, but I couldn’t remember why. All I knew was that she was in danger and I was supposed to be helping her.

The room was dark, the only light coming from the moon casting eerie shadows through the blinds. I took deep breaths, trying to calm the storm inside me. Who was she and why did it feel like I had failed her? I needed answers.

I reached for my phone, my hands trembling slightly as I dialed a familiar number. She picked up on the second ring, her voice groggy from sleep. “Danny? What’s wrong?” she asked, concern evident in her tone.

“I had a nightmare about the woman,” I replied, my voice shaking. “I think she’s in trouble. We need to find her.”

Val’s silence spoke volumes. “Danny, I told you that memories could come back in pieces and they would be confusing.”

“This is different. You were there in my dream. So was Kytten. The woman was black and blue, Val. I think she was one of your rescues.”

“What can you remember about the woman?”

“Not much. Someone beat the hell out of her. In the dream, she got the deluxe package. That’s important, right?”

“Yeah,” Val muttered. “It is. Can you tell me anything else?”

“Only that her husband was someone dangerous,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. My head was pounding again. “God, I’m fucking everything up. I know I should know who this woman is, but I can’t remember. I can’t remember anything.”

“Take a deep breath for me, Danny. You’ve suffered a major trauma. Having flashbacks tells me your memories are starting to come back. Don’t force it. Let them come back naturally.”

“I can’t shake this feeling that I’m supposed to be protecting someone important. I can feel it in my gut, Val. Someone is in danger because I can’t remember.”

“Let me make a few calls to ensure everything is okay in Nevada. I want you to rest and get some sleep. I’ve got to go. Sleep, Danny. That’s an order.” I clearly heard her say before the line went dead.

“Why are we here again?” I asked, looking around as kids played and laughed like they didn’t have a care in the world. I guess, considering everything, they truly didn’t have a care in the world. They had parents who loved them, food in their stomachs, clean clothes, and a bed to sleep in.

For all intents and purposes, all was right in their worlds.

“Because fresh air does the body good,” Stella snarked, plopping her ass onto the bench next to me. “You can’t stay cooped up in that fancy Taj Mahal of yours forever. You’ll go stir crazy. Besides, maybe seeing something new will jog a memory or two.”

Looking at the woman I loved like a sister, I asked, “And this adventure into nature has nothing to do with Digger coming home stone-cold drunk last night?”

“Shut up.” She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Chuckling, I shook my head. “You know Dig loves you, Stella. I don’t know why you keep getting jealous when he’s not around. He will never stray.”

“You don’t know that,” she whispered; her eyes glued to the kids that played before us. “Nothing is for certain in this life, Danny. You know that better than most, even if you can’t remember.”

“I know that man worships the ground you walk on. There isn’t anything he won’t do for you. So, what’s this really about?”

“I want a baby.”

“Then go tell Dig to strip and give you one.”

“He doesn’t want one.”

Confused, I looked at the woman, trying to make sense of what she just said. “Hang on,” I sputtered, trying to formulate the right words. “Digger? The biggest kid in the clubhouse? The manchild who acts like a toddler most days doesn’t want a kid of his own?”

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