I say nothing.

“Maybe we just sleep on it,” Jesse says.

Except who could sleep? I know I won’t. And looking at Rory, I’m pretty sure she won’t either.

And Jesse?

He looks like he needs to run ten or twenty miles before he’ll be able to relax.

“Damn,” Jesse says, “I could use a drink.”

Rory smiles. It’s not a big smile, but it’ll work. “You know? That’s the best idea I’ve heard all night.”

Jesse rises. “I’ll get us all a beer.”

“Diet Coke for—” I rethink my statement. “Never mind. Get me a beer. In fact, get me two beers.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

DONNY

The lady called Marabel is kind. She gives us water to drink. Everyone keeps trying to get us to talk.

Dale doesn’t talk, and I don’t do anything that Dale doesn’t do.

Until Marabel touches my chin. Her brown eyes are kind. “What’s your name? Please, honey. We want to help you.”

I open my mouth despite Dale giving me his big brother eye. “My name’s Donny. His name is Dale.”

Another lady comes out. She’s pretty, with dark hair and blue eyes. I notice eyes now, since they’re all we could see of the men who hurt us.

It’s funny to be able to see people’s faces. For so long, we saw only those black masks.

“Miss Ruby!” Marabel says. “I have wonderful news. The little boy finally revealed his name. It’s Donny, and his brother’s name is Dale.”

The pretty lady smiles and sits down next to Dale. He has scratches up and down his arms.

So do I.

But the hardest part is sitting. It hurts down there.

Dale is petting one of the yellow puppies. His name is Bo, I think. The pretty lady sits down next to him.

“Dale,” the lady named Miss Ruby says. “That’s a nice name. Can you tell me how old you are?”

I know Dale won’t answer, so I do. These people are nice. I want to believe that they’re nice. “He’s ten, and I’m seven.”

Dale keeps petting the puppy.

Another lady joins us. She’s wearing a black T-shirt and gray pants, and she has pretty blond hair. “I know they hurt you, Dale. They hurt me too. But we’re going to be okay now. It will just take time.”

Dale nods slightly.

“Would you stay with him for a little while?” Miss Ruby asks.

The other lady nods, stroking Bo’s soft head. “We should take the puppy down into the yard so he can play. Would you like that?”

No slight nod this time, but Dale stands, releasing the pup. He follows the blond lady out onto the green grass.

Tags: Helen Hardt Steel Brothers Saga Erotic
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