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Sutton remained quiet but was scribbling notes in a notebook.
“Most likely. I mean, I don’t know. After I left the cult, I ended up with amnesia. I don’t remember anything. Kane does, though,” Brie explained.
Pierce turned his attention to me. “Kane, what can you tell us?”
I gently rubbed the back of Brie’s hand, stroking it with the pad of my thumb and hoping to keep her calm.
“Wagner is the head of the cult that Brie and I were in. We were born into it. I helped her escape when she was fourteen, but whatever happened to her … it caused amnesia. The plan was for her to get out and bring help. It didn’t happen that way, though. A few months after Brie escaped, the FBI raided the place and made arrests. Apparently, they had someone on the inside, and it was only a matter of time before they dismantled the organization. I’m not sure why Wagner is only serving five years, but he’s being released tomorrow.” A heavy weight settled over my shoulders, threatening to smother me. “He’ll look for Brie and possibly me, too.”
Franklin crossed his legs and smoothed his black slacks. His blue eyes flickered with concern, but I suspected his mind was sifting through ideas of how to help us.
“Does Wagner have any idea that you’re in Oregon, Kane? You’re all over the media, so unless you changed your physical appearance, he probably knows.” Pierce’s brown-eyed gaze narrowed.
“I look a lot different than I did at fifteen, but yeah, it’s possible. I had some reconstructive surgery after I was beaten.” Panic ripped the air from my lungs. “If he does, I’m afraid that he’ll find Brie, and I’ll have helped him.”
“Son, you can’t go there. Let’s give Franklin and the Westbrooks time to figure this out.” Dad’s tone was firm with a hint of gentleness.
We continued to talk over the next hour, and I provided as much detail as I could. Brie had grown quiet, listening and absorbing the severity of the situation.
“I’ll make some calls first thing in the morning and see if I can learn why Wagner is being released after five years and what he was charged with originally. Legally, I’m not sure what we can do, but I’ll look for any opportunity to put him back in prison,” Franklin said.
Sutton tucked her hair behind her ear, then continued to take notes.
“Kane, you’re high profile with your career, so I’d like to see if you’re open to bodyguards for you and Brie.” Pierce leaned forward, clasping his hands together.
I shook my head as though it might clear the fog from my overwhelmed brain. “I’m all about protecting Brie since she’s my main priority, but if the NFL catches wind of this …”
“It could cause problems,” Dad interjected. “As in teams not signing him.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Sutton finally piped in. “Our guys blend in very well. No one has to know that you have eyes on you at all times.”
“That could work, right?” Brie asked me, hope filling her face.
“Yeah. I think so.” I stretched my legs out in front of me.
“I’ll look at the schedule, but where are you staying tonight?” Sutton asked.
“At a friend’s place. It has an excellent alarm system, and I would feel safer if Brie and I stayed there.”
Brie nodded, but I wasn’t sure if she realized I was talking about staying at the society’s house. There were bedrooms on the main floor, or we could sleep downstairs in my office. Each door lock required a thumbprint, and Wagner sure as fuck wasn’t on the list of approved people.
“Okay. As long as you can stay in a safe place. We should know more in a few days. Franklin will look into the legal side, and I’ll call my FBI contact to see what else we can learn. Even though Wagner is being released tomorrow, it doesn’t mean the FBI won’t have eyes on him. It happens.” Pierce rose from his seat, and Sutton followed.
“We’re going to head out so we can start making calls. Sutton will reach out later with the names of your bodyguards. There will be one for each of you,” Pierce added.
Franklin stood, then we exchanged phone numbers before saying our goodbyes. All Brie and I could do now was wait, and it fucking sucked. Even though I’d tried to soothe Brie’s fears, I realized we were sitting ducks.
ChapterForty-Four
Brie
“Ididn’t think that the society was in a house.” I wandered into the kitchen, spotting the beer cans and alcohol bottles that littered the granite counters.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting company other than the members.” Kane grabbed a black trash bag beneath the counter and started to clean up. I wondered if it helped his anxiety to keep busy. It certainly did mine.
“Let me help. I need something to do.” I began flipping open the top cabinets, searching for where the bottles belonged.
“How are you feeling about the conversation with Franklin and the Westbrooks?” Kane didn’t look at me but continued to clean.
