Lena's Happily Ever After (The Town of Pearl 3)

“Does that mean if they raped her that their semen would be found on her?” Lena asked, surprising not only the detective but also Wyatt and Kenny.

“I didn’t want to get too specific, Lena, because I know Ariel was your friend.”

“If she was my friend, then she wouldn’t have put me at risk like that and taken Triumph’s side. Detective Reynolds, I would have been raped and possibly murdered, too, if I had stayed there. I know that, and now my concern is for Sage.”

“You’re a brave young woman, and I’m glad that you found somewhere safe to go to. If you give me some ideas of where Sage might be hiding out, I’ll look for her personally.”

“I don’t think she’ll come to you willingly. I taught her well, and after Ariel told us the story about a cop offering help and then turning on her, Sage won’t believe you or any of your friends.”

“In every profession there are good guys and bad guys, Lena. I wish Ariel hadn’t encountered the bad guy. There’s really nothing more I can do than check around and try to contact her.”

“I can come out there. I know places where she could be hiding.”

“I’d rather you didn’t because of Triumph and his gang being loose. If they find out you’re in town, they could come after you.”

“You could catch them then, couldn’t you?” Lena asked.

“No, Lena, you are not being bait,” Kenny scolded.

“Kenny, he killed four innocent people and Ariel, he needs to be stopped.”

“Well, that’s great, but let detective Reynolds and his team stop Triumph and his gang because you’re not going there.” Kenny raised his voice, and Lena crossed her arms in front of her chest and exhaled as she stared at him.

“I have an idea that might get Triumph off the streets so that Lena can come here and search for Sage, with protection, of course,” Detective Reynolds added, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Keep us informed, and we’ll let you know what our plans are,” Wyatt stated before disconnecting the call.

* * * *

“Goddamn it, Lena, what the hell were you thinking? I am not going to allow you to risk your life and go back to Detroit to help capture this asshole. He and his gang of shit raped Ariel and killed her. They tossed her body in a damn Dumpster as if she were garbage.” Kenny slammed his fist down on the table.

“Kenny, you need to calm down,” Wyatt interrupted then walked in front of his desk, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and looked at Lena.

“If you were my woman, if you were Anna, I would be saying the same thing. Let Detective Reynolds search for Sage. Give him time to work his case and get Triumph and his gang behind bars. Then if it’s clear and safe, Kenny and your men can accompany you to Detroit to find her,” Wyatt stated. Kenny just kept trying to take nice, easy breaths.

Lena nodded her head and stood up.

“I appreciate your help, Sheriff Cantrell.”

“Wyatt.”

“Wyatt. I truly do appreciate your help with this. There is a lot to consider, and I need to talk to the guys so we can come up with some kind of plan. Sage has been alone for three weeks now. Every day that passes with her on the streets alone puts her in further danger.”

She turned to walk out of the room. Kenny remained where he stood.

* * * *

“Kenny, I agree with you a hundred percent. I know exactly how you feel. You remember when Anna was being hunted and those two assholes from New York came and nearly killed her? Fuck, that was the worse forty-eight hours of my life. Keep her by your side or always with one of your brothers. Let her know that it will work out and we’ll try our hardest to make sure that the detectives in Detroit find her friend Sage.”

“Thanks, Wyatt,” Kenny stated then shook his hand and walked out of his office.

* * * *

Lena felt sick to her stomach as she walked out with Bryant, Quinn, and Blake. She kept her arms wrapped around her stomach and all she kept thinking about was how Triumph and his gang raped Ariel and stabbed her to death. She thought about how Triumph was involved with the drive-by shooting that killed those innocent people. He deserved to be killed or at least placed in jail for the rest of his life. Him, Troy, Monte and Bills, all of

them deserved to be punished.

She walked past their trucks and didn’t hear a word any of them were saying to her. As she walked between the buildings and up toward the bench and large tree overlooking the fields of flowers as she did last night, she felt the hand grip her upper arm and turn her around.