Page 37 of Love Me in the Dark
“Computer engineering. I have a masters,” I say.
“Yeah, and she’s better at it than I am,” Cade laughs. “She is my little sister, but Callum has always been like a brother.”
“Well, it’s lovely to have you join us,” he says kindly. “It’s nice to see someone keep them in line.”
“I try,” I say but giggle when Rook pokes me in the side. I take a second to glance around, and my face immediately drops when I see them.
“So,” Knox says instantly taking notice of my shift in demeanor. “Today we just want to talk about an issue we have and what we are doing to solve it.”
“Oh?” Corey asks, leaning back in his chair. He must have a lot of their trust because he is the only one who speaks freely.
“Nyx was attacked about eight months ago while walking to meet her brothers, my brothers, and me. She was nearly killed in the process,” he says. I pick up right away on why he is lying. He needs it to appear that he was disrespected as well because hewill get more support that way. No matter if he wants to help me, they still dragged him into this. “Nyx, do you want to explain, or do you want me to?”
“You can,” I say with a confident tone.
“Nyx was cut all over her body, violently raped, and then had her throat cut. Luckily, she was spotted in time by a bystander and taken to the hospital. She spent months recovering, and we have reached the point where we can shift our focus from her recovery to finding out who did this to her,” Knox explains.
“I am so sorry, Nyx,” Corey says to me.
“Thank you,” I say. “I have coped well, all things considered. I have found ways to channel my anger, but it’s time that I go for who I am really after.”
“I understand,” he says with a sudden bright smile as he catches on to what I am saying. There is silent chatter around the room, which says the others get it too.
“I want to make it very clear that we will find out who these three men are, and it’s not me they need to be worried about. It’s not my brothers or hers,” Knox explains. “Usually, I would take over and handle this situation, but Phoenyx is very much capable of doing what she wants to. My goal is to bring these men to her, so I need everyone’s help.”
“After the attack, the police were involved, but the trail has gone cold at this point. The detective on the case is aware of who we are and how things will be handled, so that isn’t a concern,” Cade says.
“So,” Knox says. “It’s very simple. You bring us the three men responsible for hurting our wife, and you’ll be awarded with one million dollars. They must be alive.”
“This is the original sketch and all pertinent information regarding the three men and what could lead to their capture,” Callum says as he hands a stack of folders to Corey. Corey takesone and passes the stack to the next person. Soon, everyone has a folder. Including the men who raped me.
“We ask that you be very sure of them before you bring them to us,” Rook says.
“I can positively identify them when I see them,” I say, looking my attackers in the eyes. They don’t look worried, but they do look angry.
“Are you okay?” Knox asks quietly, squeezing my thigh.
“No,” I answer simply, still looking at my attackers. I see Cade follow my glare, and out of the corner of my eyes I see him lean in to whisper to Knox.
“That’s all for today, guys,” Knox says. He pats my leg, and I stand so he can as well. “We will get together again on Wednesday afternoon.”
Everyone leaves us except Corey, who walks around to stand with us. “Are you sure?” Cade asks me.
“Yes,” I say. “It was them.”
“Who?” Corey asks.
“Vimar, Hector, and Luis Menendez,” Knox says.
“It’s them,” I say, trying not to start crying. Cade pulls me closer to hug me, and the tears stay away. When I pull away, Corey smiles.
“Can I tell you something that will make you happy but also maybe sad?” Corey asks.
“Yeah,” I say.
“Lacey Keen is my little sister,” he says. “She did pass a few weeks ago from complications with the flu, but we think she found peace with Roger dying and she was ready to move on. I just wanted to thank you for giving her peace.”
I start to tear up and cover my mouth with my hands, attempting to keep myself from crying. Corey looks at Knox before stepping up and wrapping his arms around me. My bodyshakes as grief floods out of me. He gently rubs my back, calming me down. “I’m so sorry you lost her,” I say quietly.
