Page 17 of Seeking Two Lovers

Dan Higgins, PI, would give me something else to focus on. Lucky for me, he was in his office and had a few minutes to spare.

Without naming Blaine, I went into some of what he’d experienced in the compound, explaining the punishment boxes and the whipping post in the village green he’d been tied to a few times.

My free hand clenched my chair arm, and I had to force myself to relax. The cold coffee I’d been sipping didn’t do much to ease the tension in my guts that always cranked up when thinking or speaking about Blaine’s past.

I also went into what Dad had said about the cult members but told Higgins it was a front for the sick shit the leader and his wife did all in the name of God.

“Infiltrating the compound won’t be easy or cheap,” Higgins stated once I finished.

“Money isn’t a concern,” I assured him, my stomach still in knots. Just the tales of what Blaine endured made me nauseated. I couldn’t imagine what he’d dealt with—enough he puked at the mere mention of religious sickos. “I just want—need—to expose the truth.”

Higgins didn’t speak for a few seconds. “How far do you plan on taking this if the stories you’ve heard aren’t hearsay?”

“As far as possible. I won’t rest until the lying assholes abusing innocents are behind bars. But there’s more.”

“I’m listening.”

I inhaled until it hurt, ready to reveal a secret Blaine didn’t speak of but I’d wondered over with the haunted look in his eye the night before after puking all over the kitchen floor. “There’s a young woman named Sarah Mitchell who lived at the compound as of nine years ago. Dark hair, hazel-green eyes. She would be around twenty-three now.”

“Someone you know personally?”

“Close enough.” I offered what I could about Blaine’s younger sister. “I’d like whatever news you can find on her first.”

“My schedule doesn’t allow for much right now, but seeing as you’re a Scott, I’ll make the time.”

After a brief overview of his charges, I promised to wire him the retainer fee, thankful as fuck for my surname and assets. Coming from money had its benefits even if it left me with a handful of true, honest friends. Dad and Blaine being the ones I sought out when I needed anything. I could count on the two of them to not bullshit or manipulate me.

Once we hung up, I filled my lungs to bursting and slowly let it leak out in attempts to ease the tension in my shoulders.

“You’re a broody bitch this morning.”

I glared at my secretary who’d waltzed into my office without knocking. Another of the few I considered friends, Meryl knew she could get away with murder when others in my employ wouldn’t dream of speaking to me in such a way. Or entering without being invited.

“Lucky for you,” she said, striding across my office, “I took an early break and stopped by Darlene’s.”

My frown dissolved as Meryl set a box of donuts on my desk. “I fucking love you.” I all but groaned the words.

“I know.”

I popped open the box and shoved half a chocolate iced donut into my mouth. A groan did escape me.

“Personal or business?” Meryl asked, perching her pert ass on the corner of my desk, arms folding beneath the swell of her double-Ds.

“Personal.”

“Need to vent?”

I shook my head and shoved the rest of the treat between my lips.

Fucking icing…sickeningly sweet perfection created at Darlene’s Donuts a block away. My weakness. The donuts were kick-ass all on their own, but the chocolate frosting…goddamn chef’s kiss.

And fuck, did the treat do its job of settling my emotions even more.

I’d handed over the case to Higgins…I could trust him to find the truth.

Meryl sat and waited as though expecting me to spill the thoughts lingering in my head, but Blaine’s issues and what I planned to do about them weren’t something she needed to know.

“Rough night,” I finally said. “Didn’t get much sleep.”

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