Page 121 of Healed

Kourtney shook her head.

“That’s okay. But we want to bring your mummy here and make sure she is safe with you. Can you remember where you go to school?”

“She goes to my school, Daddy,” Bee whispered, though she stumbled over some of the words, her voice no longer coming naturally to her.

“On it,” Rachel whispered, walking away and pulling out her phone.

“We can ask school for your address, Kourtney, it’s okay,” Dante reassured her. “You may have seen our nanny, Heather, dropping Bee off sometimes?”

He was trying to make the club more familiar to her, to earn her trust, but unfortunately Kourtney shook her head.

“That’s okay. So, I need to ask one more scary question, and it’s okay if you need time to answer. But who is at your house, darling? Who is with your mum?”

Kourtney shook her head faster, her small body beginning to shake.

“You’re safe, Kourtney. No one can hurt you here, I promise. But we want your mummy safe here, too.”

“Mummy’s boyfriend,” Kourtney whispered.

“Mummy’s boyfriend,” Dante repeated softly. “And do you know where your daddy is?”

Kourtney sobbed quietly.

“My mummy died,” Bee told her. “I don’t know her, either. But I have Rachel. It’s okay.”

I think I fell in love with that little girl then.

How did someone so young understand something so complicated?

I’d have to check with Vienna, but I’m sure Bee was only eight or so. And to have this level of maturity was astounding. But then again, I also knew what she’d been through herself.

“My daddy isn’t here,” Kourtney replied simply.

“Okay,” Dante nodded. “That’s okay.” He looked up, catching Rachel’s eye, and nodded again.

“So, me and a few of my friends are going to go get your mummy now. We’re going to leave you here with Bee, Rachel, and Gabriella. Is that okay?”

“Okay,” she whispered.

“Is there anything from your house you want, darling?” Vienna asked. “Your favourite toy, or a blanket?”

I love him.

“My unicorn teddy,” Kourtney replied, looking sad, yet her eyes brightening.

“I’ll bring it to you personally, you have my word,” Vienna said, bowing down low to the floor, making Kourtney chuckle.

Bee let go of her shoulders, only to grab a tablet off her knee and write: My uncle Vienna. He’s silly.

“Less of the silly, you,” Vienna told her, ruffling her hair. “Right, we’re leaving now. Can you hold down the fort for me, Bee, and make sure everyone behaves? Including that mother of yours?”

Bee smiled and drew “No ” on her tablet.

Vienna just laughed. “Attagirl.”

And then he looked at me, our eyes locking.

“Do what you need to do,” I said.