Page 98 of Savage Desires

"I look forward to earning those particular trophies."

"Come on, my beautiful little serial killer. It's time to go home."

"I'll stick around and make sure T.J. doesn't burn the place down before the techies come," Hera says.

"Sounds good. Thanks for the help tonight. Feel free to send the bill," Kisten says.

"Consider this one pro bono. It was a literal blast," Hera says.

I giggle. "Please don't blow the house up until after they remove everything useful."

"Boy Scout's honor," she says, holding up three fingers.

"Fucking crazy," Shawn mutters, then walks outside. Everyone else follows his lead.

"I'd hug you, but you have a little something there," I say, waving my hand over Hera's entire body.

"Cutting out hearts is a messy business," she says sagely.

I don't even know what to say to that. "Can't wait until our next playdate. Let's do your house next time."

She wanders off down the hallway where T.J. went.

Everyone is gathered around the SUVs that are haphazardly parked in the driveway. We thank everyone for their help and tell them bye. Before we can leave, Cutter approaches me.

"I figured it out," he says.

"Uh… okay? What did you figure out?" I ask.

"I know who you are. You're Felix Morris's daughter. They went missing at age sixteen and have been gone for six years. Your dad contacted us two weeks after you went missing when the police did fuck-all to find you," he says.

I look at Kisten, feeling panic. Two gunfights, a torture session, and a gun to my head were less scary than Cutter recognizing me as Willow Morris. I'm not ready to see my dad yet.

"I know you feel obligated to tell her father you found her, but I'm asking that you don't do that. It needs to be Willow's decision to go to him," Kisten says.

Cutter's jaw ticks. He's obviously angry. "You would make your father continue to suffer thinking his only daughter is dead?"

Tears fill my eyes, but I blink them back. "I was worse than dead. What are you going to tell him? 'Found your daughter. She's been sold four times as a sex slave and lived for years as a whore in a BDSM club.' Do you think telling him that will be better than what he feels right now?"

Cutter's expression softens. "Look, I know you've been through something horrific, but your dad loves you. He still contacts me every few months asking for any updates."

"I know he loves me, and I love him. I don't plan to stay away forever, but I need a little time," I say, pleading with him to understand.

"Okay. Just… tell him soon, okay? Before your birthday."

"Don't fucking push her, man. She'll go when she's ready, and if you say a goddamned word before she is, I'll gut you," Kisten threatens.

"It's fine," I say, placing a calming hand on Kisten's chest. "I'll go before my birthday."

If a look could kill, Cutter would be a dead man.

Kisten scoops me into his arms and carries me to the car. Once inside, we're alone for the first time in what feels like days.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

KISTEN

I carry a sleeping Willow into the apartment. She didn’t even stir when I picked her up from the car. She’s exhausted. I carry her to the bathroom.