Kane reached the containers, his mind whirling with the information Damon had just laid on him. Seeing Charger standing in front of an open container, he headed that way.
“She’s in there alone. She won’t come out, and she screams every time I try to go in.” Charger informed him and then tossed him a set of keys. “Get her out of here, take my car. It’s parked outside the gates around the corner to the left. I’ll catch a ride.”
Nodding Kane put the keys in his pocket. Waiting for Charger to leave, Kane slowly approached the dark container. “Dena,” Kane said, keeping his voice low and controlled. “I’m Kane. Do you remember me? I know your Aunt Monica.”
Silence met his question, but he could see her clearly in the container's dark corner, her knees pulled into her chest and her eyes wide. A knot formed in his throat at the terror he saw in those huge, tear-filled eyes. No child should ever feel this kind of terror, and it tore him apart.
Taking a step inside, he saw her flinch at the noise it made. He knew she could only see an outline of him. He crouched so he didn’t look as threatening.
“I know you’re scared, sweetheart, but I’m here to take you back to Monica,” Kane said, hoping he was getting through to her. “And Knox really wants to play with you again.”
“You promise you’re not a bad man,” her tear-filled whisper reached him, and he melted.
“I promise,” he whispered back, then watched as she wiped her eyes and stood slowly. She took two steps before she broke out into a run. Her little footsteps echoed in the container as she ran toward him and flung herself into him. Her arms wrappedaround his neck and held him tight. “I got you,” He whispered as he stood.
Kane turned and walked out of the container, holding the back of her head so she couldn’t see anything. Never had a job fulfilled him as this moment did. He had saved many people in his long life, but this hit different. He walked away from the chaos, trusting his brothers and the Warriors to do what they did. His job for now was done. Now all that was left was to fulfill the promise he made to Monica and bring Dena back to her.
CHAPTER 35
Monica couldn’t sit still; she stood up and walked to the window, staring out. The rain had started again, and her eyes went to Kane’s mangled bike that sat in the driveway. Suddenly, her worry for him and Dena tripled.
“Kane is going to find her, Monica,” Doug said from behind her. She had never been so happy to see anyone more than when Doug walked in the door. Warriors Viktor and Bishop, whom she had never met, brought him when he wouldn’t leave them alone. He wanted to be there with her, and she was glad.
Monica leaned into him, putting her head on his shoulder. Since Beverly’s disappearance, they had become closer than ever.
“I know,” She whispered, then glanced around. She had been watching the faces of everyone there, hoping to read what was going on, but they were all stone-faced, giving nothing away. It was driving her crazy.
Neither Viktor nor Bishop had told Doug what was going on with Ken. It was she who had filled him in on everything. Doug was as devastated as she was.
“He’s got her,” Raven walked up, putting a hand on Monica’s arm. “He’s on his way now. Should be here any minute.”
Monica’s hand flew to her mouth. “Is she—” Monica stopped, afraid to ask.
“She’s fine,” Raven smiled first at Monica, then Doug. “Scared, but fine.”
Monica nodded, holding back a cry of relief. Seeing headlights coming down the drive, she pulled away from Doug and took off for the door. No one tried to stop her as she opened the door and rushed outside. The rain was just a drizzle, but she didn’t care. When the black Mustang came to a stop, Monica ran toward the car.
Kane opened the door, stepped out, then turned, bending into the car. Slowly, he straightened with Dena, her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. He whispered something to her, and she turned her head to look at Monica. Tears mixed with the light rain ran down Monica’s face as she stared at Dena, who looked unhurt. She twisted in Kane’s arms, reaching toward Monica.
With a sob, Monica ran the rest of the way and took Dena in her arms, holding her tight. She couldn’t utter a word if she tried.
“Where’s Knox?” Dena asked, her voice sleepy. “Kane said he was waiting for me.”
Monica looked up at Kane, who was staring at her. “He is waiting for you at Theo’s.” Monica tried to keep the tears out of her voice.
“You ask for Knox before me?” Doug said from behind her.
Dena glanced around Monica and smiled, then reached for Doug, who took her into his arms. Monica noticed everyonewatching from the house as she handed Dena to Doug. She turned back to face Kane.
“Thank you,” She whispered, then reached out and fell into his arms, but he pulled away, and her heart shattered.
“I have blood all over me,” Kane said, then glanced toward where Doug was walking away from them, then back to her.
“I don’t care,” Monica said, trying her best not to cry harder than she already was.
“Listen, there’s something you need to know,” Kane said, and Monica braced herself. “Ken was killed during the fighting, but not by my hand, which, to be honest, almost happened a few times.”
Monica tried to feel sympathy, but it just wouldn’t come. She only felt sorry that Dena was now without a parent, and that broke her heart. She only nodded because there really wasn’t anything to say on that subject. She and Doug would do what they needed to do for Dena. That was a given. That little girl would want for nothing.