Page 8 of Dan

“Kept in an old fort structure on the coast of Mexico. I was vacationing in Cancun. Alone,” she added. “I went out to dinner one night and felt as if someone was following me back to the hotel, but I didn’t see anyone so thought I was being paranoid. I should have listened to my instincts. I had four hundred and twenty-one steps left to get back. I don’t think that mattered.”

“No,” smiled Dan, “I don’t think that mattered at all.”

“I’m very hungry. I’d very much like a cheeseburger. May I have a cheeseburger?” asked Finley. “Can I eat?”

“Of course,” said Wilson. “Let’s get you some food, and then we can talk about how to keep you safe.”

“You’re going to keep me?” she asked with a puzzled expression.

“Do you have anywhere else to go? Someone that can protect you until we find the men who took you?” asked Dan. She shook her head, realizing she was completely alone. “Then you’ll stay with us, and our team will protect you. You’ll be safe here, and no one will know where you are.”

“And how will you protect me? You’re three men.”

“Oh, honey. We’re hundreds of men. Very, very different men.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Wilson thought it would be best to get Finley out of the clinic and into one of the cottages. Anyone on the spectrum usually didn’t like to feel as though they were being observed or scrutinized and especially didn’t like being locked up in a small space. A clinic or hospital setting sent all of those vibes.

They also wanted to ensure that she got her requested cheeseburger. Finding her some clothing that fit was the greater challenge. Ultimately, it was Alexandra who was closest to her size and brought some things to her.

Walking between Dan and Wilson, she looked like a little child. But when they got to the cafeteria, the light on her face was worth every minute of the wait. The way she ate her cheeseburger made her look like a starving man on a sinking ship.

When she was licking the pickle juice off her fingers, she looked back toward the kitchen, and George nodded at the young woman, giving her a big smile. A few moments later, he walked out with a second cheeseburger and another hot plate of fries.

“Don’t eat too much,” smiled Wilson. “I don’t want you to get sick.”

“I won’t,” she said, taking another bite. “The gastrointestinal system is remarkably resilient and able to withstand massive amounts of food when empty.” Wilson chuckled at her, nodding.

“You heard the gal,” said George. “Let that little bitty girl eat as much as she wants. She ain’t stupid. She’ll stop before she gets sick. Eat up, honey. There’s more if you want it. You just come find old George, and I’ll make you whatever you want.”

“Okay,” nodded Wilson, “but let’s not test that completely.” She looked up at him, then blushed, nodding.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you don’t know your business of medicine. I don’t mean to insult you. I read a lot, and it sticks in my head. It won’t go away.”

“You didn’t upset me,” smiled Wilson. “I love that you read about everything. That makes you a well-rounded woman. Let me ask you something, Finley. Do the numbers, the words, all of it sometimes swirl in your head? Do they keep you up at night?”

Finley blushed, setting the burger on the plate in front of her. She wiped her hands, then looked out the window.

“There’s no judgment here,” said Dan, touching her hand. She flinched just slightly but then settled beneath the weight of the other man’s massive hand.

“Sometimes. Sometimes, I can’t sleep because I have numbers swirling in my head, and they won’t come together. It’s like I have the wrong puzzle pieces for the jigsaw I’m working on. I can’t fall asleep until they find a way to come together. It’s exhausting, but in some ways, I find it exhilarating as well.”

“I think we have a few people that may be able to help you with that,” said Wilson. Alexandra, Ace, and Bree took a seat at their table. “Finley, this is Alexandra, the generous donor of your clothing.”

“Oh, thank you! You’re small like me,” she said directly.

“Yes,” grinned Alexandra. “We have other things in common as well. Things swirl in my head as well, but mostly to do with computers.”

“You met Ace earlier,” said Wilson. “This is Bree. She’s one of the members of our counseling and therapy teams.”

Finley froze, pushing her plate toward the center of the table. She would never be able to escape these big men if she tried to run. She was doomed.

“I won’t let you do it to me again,” she said, staring at them. She tried to stand, but Dan held onto her hand with a gentle, but firm grip, coaxing her to return to her seat. She eased back, looking at the room of people. There were far too many, and they were far too big to fight.

“Do what, honey?” asked Wilson softly.

“I won’t let you use electroconvulsive therapy on me again. I refuse. There’s nothing wrong with me!” Dan gasped. Staring at her, then at the others.

---