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When we pull up in front of the Blade and Arrow building, Thea looks at it with interest. It’s a large brick building that would appear ordinary if not for the imposing metal fence around the perimeter, dotted with cameras at regular intervals. A second building sits behind it, smaller and attached to a winding driveway.
“It looks very secure.” Thea glances over at me. “They all live there, right? I think that’s what Ari said.”
“Yes. They all have apartments on the upper floors.” I turn off the car and open my door. “Wait for me,” I say, touching her arm when she moves to get out. “I’ll come around to get you.” Because there’s no way I’m letting Thea walk around unprotected now.
As we walk toward the entrance, Thea squeezes my hand tightly. “Are we just meeting with Leo?”
Before I can answer, the front door opens and Leo steps forward. He lifts his chin at me, and I give a quick one in return. “Ben.” His gaze shifts to Thea, gentling. “Thea. It’s nice to see you again.”
I clap him on the shoulder. “Thanks for making time for us. I know it’s short notice.”
“Thank you,” Thea adds softly. “I really appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Leo gestures for us to come inside, stepping aside so we can pass. “Cole’s already in the conference room. We’ll bring in the rest of the team once we have more information.”
As we enter the conference room, Cole stands up from his seat at the large table and comes over to greet us. “Ben. I’d say it’s nice to see you, but not under these circumstances.” His eyes are kind as he shakes Thea’s hand. “I’m sorry to officially meet like this. But I promise, we’ll do whatever it takes to help you.”
“Thanks.” She flushes a little. “It’s all so… I had no idea…” Trailing off, she glances at me, her eyes uncertain and nervous.
“It’s been a surprise,” I add, guiding Thea to one of the leather chairs and sitting down next to her. “Obviously, Thea didn’t know any of this until this afternoon. So it’s a lot to take in.”
“Absolutely.” Cole takes his seat and flips open the folder in front of him, glancing at it for a second before looking across the table at Thea. “We understand. For now, we just want to hear what you remember. And we’ll go from there.”
Leo nods, adding, “We may ask you some questions as you’re going, but if you can’t remember something, that’s okay. Some details may come back to you later.”
Thea’s fingers convulse around mine. I rest my thumb on her wrist, feeling her pulse racing. “It’s okay,” I tell her. “Just take your time.”
She sucks in a breath, letting it out in a shuddering sigh. Her shoulders straighten, and she sits up taller. “Okay.”
I’ve already heard her story, but it’s not any easier the second time.
I ache for Thea when she talks about rushing out to see Ari, fresh-baked cookies in hand, never imagining the danger that awaited her.
It’s terrible hearing the fear in her voice as she recalls the moment when she discovered the person in the car with her.
“I couldn’t believe it at first. It didn’t seem possible.” She shudders slightly. “My mind didn’t want to accept it.”
“That’s natural,” Cole soothes. “During a trauma, your brain wants to protect itself. That’s the same reason why you didn’t remember until something triggered it.”
Which I feel crappy about. That it was me who triggered Thea’s flashback, made her revisit her trauma. I know it’s better that she remembers, but it still makes me feel guilty.
As Thea keeps talking, she shrinks into herself, like she’s trying to hide.
When she describes the moment before she jerked the car off the road, she’s trembling so badly her hand is jumping in mine. “I wasn’t sure if it would work,” she whispers. “But if they got me wherever I was supposed to be going… I thought they might kill me. Or…”
Her unspoken words fill me with rage. And when I glance across the table at Cole and Leo, their expressions mirror mine.
Once Thea finishes talking, she sags back in her seat, looking completely wiped out. I lean over and brush a light kiss across her forehead and murmur, “I’m so proud of you.”
“I just have a few more questions.” Cole’s tone is apologetic. “It’ll be quick.”
“Okay.” Thea visibly gathers herself and meets his gaze. “Whatever you need to know.”
“First,” he starts, “do you remember if you locked your car in the driveway? When you ran in to feed the cat?”
She bites her lip, thinking. After a second, her delicate features crumple. “No. I was in a hurry. And I thought I’d only be inside for a few minutes. My development is supposed to be safe.” Tears finally spill down her cheeks. “I was so stupid.”
“No, you weren’t,” I say fiercely, letting go of her hand to hug her to me. “You thought you were safe. You should have been.”
