Chapter 6 #2
We pull up to a building that looks like an office space in the front, but a shipping warehouse in the back.
“Understand that your attacker might very well be here,” Knox says.
“This meeting is with everyone who is not currently at war with another. If they are in this world at all, this meeting is something they would attend.”
“I thought you three were leading it?” I ask.
“We are,” he says. “We own this city. You married into a big name, Mrs. Phoenyx Butler.”
“I kinda like the sound of that,” I smile. He winks at me before getting out and walking around. I got to open my door, but Rook nudges me and shakes his head. Knox opens my door, and I step out, and he places his hand on my lower back as we walk to the door.
We walk inside and go down a hallway before entering a large room.
This must be the warehouse. There are a lot of people who turn and look at us, but I remember what Cade told me, and I stand tall.
I don’t scan anyone’s face because I don’t want to appear as though I am weak or scared.
Knox leads us to the head of the long table and pulls me onto his lap as he sits.
“Afternoon, everyone,” Knox says. “I’d like to introduce everyone to our wife, Phoenyx.”
Most everyone offers a small greeting or a half smile in response. “She is the little sister of Cade and Callum,” Tripp states. “I expect everyone to be respectful and understand the consequences should anyone decide to be inappropriate.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Phoenyx,” a man says.
“This is Corey Keen. He owns Keen Investments,” Knox tells me. “He is a trusted friend of ours.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Corey,” I say with a kind smile. “You can call me Nyx though.”
“Well, Nyx. Why haven’t we seen you around before?” he asks. “Respectfully, of course.”
“I just preferred to stay out of sight until the marriage,” I say. “I focused on school a lot.”
“What did you go to school for?” he asks.
“Computer engineering. I have a masters,” I say.
“Yeah, and she’s better at it than I am,” Cade laughs. “She is my little sister, but Callum has always been like a brother.”
“Well, it’s lovely to have you join us,” he says kindly. “It’s nice to see someone keep them in line.”
“I try,” I say but giggle when Rook pokes me in the side. I take a second to glance around, and my face immediately drops when I see them.
“So,” Knox says instantly taking notice of my shift in demeanor. “Today we just want to talk about an issue we have and what we are doing to solve it.”
“Oh?” Corey asks, leaning back in his chair. He must have a lot of their trust because he is the only one who speaks freely.
“Nyx was attacked about eight months ago while walking to meet her brothers, my brothers, and me. She was nearly killed in the process,” he says.
I pick up right away on why he is lying.
He needs it to appear that he was disrespected as well because he will get more support that way.
No matter if he wants to help me, they still dragged him into this.
“Nyx, do you want to explain, or do you want me to?”
“You can,” I say with a confident tone.
“Nyx was cut all over her body, violently raped, and then had her throat cut. Luckily, she was spotted in time by a bystander and taken to the hospital. She spent months recovering, and we have reached the point where we can shift our focus from her recovery to finding out who did this to her,” Knox explains.
“I am so sorry, Nyx,” Corey says to me.
“Thank you,” I say. “I have coped well, all things considered. I have found ways to channel my anger, but it’s time that I go for who I am really after.”
“I understand,” he says with a sudden bright smile as he catches on to what I am saying. There is silent chatter around the room, which says the others get it too.
“I want to make it very clear that we will find out who these three men are, and it’s not me they need to be worried about.
It’s not my brothers or hers,” Knox explains.
“Usually, I would take over and handle this situation, but Phoenyx is very much capable of doing what she wants to. My goal is to bring these men to her, so I need everyone’s help. ”
“After the attack, the police were involved, but the trail has gone cold at this point. The detective on the case is aware of who we are and how things will be handled, so that isn’t a concern,” Cade says.
“So,” Knox says. “It’s very simple. You bring us the three men responsible for hurting our wife, and you’ll be awarded with one million dollars. They must be alive.”
“This is the original sketch and all pertinent information regarding the three men and what could lead to their capture,” Callum says as he hands a stack of folders to Corey. Corey takes one and passes the stack to the next person. Soon, everyone has a folder. Including the men who raped me.
“We ask that you be very sure of them before you bring them to us,” Rook says.
“I can positively identify them when I see them,” I say, looking my attackers in the eyes. They don’t look worried, but they do look angry.
“Are you okay?” Knox asks quietly, squeezing my thigh.
“No,” I answer simply, still looking at my attackers. I see Cade follow my glare, and out of the corner of my eyes I see him lean in to whisper to Knox.
“That’s all for today, guys,” Knox says. He pats my leg, and I stand so he can as well. “We will get together again on Wednesday afternoon.”
Everyone leaves us except Corey, who walks around to stand with us. “Are you sure?” Cade asks me.
“Yes,” I say. “It was them.”
“Who?” Corey asks.
“Vimar, Hector, and Luis Menendez,” Knox says.
“It’s them,” I say, trying not to start crying. Cade pulls me closer to hug me, and the tears stay away. When I pull away, Corey smiles.
“Can I tell you something that will make you happy but also maybe sad?” Corey asks.
“Yeah,” I say.
“Lacey Keen is my little sister,” he says. “She did pass a few weeks ago from complications with the flu, but we think she found peace with Roger dying and she was ready to move on. I just wanted to thank you for giving her peace.”
I start to tear up and cover my mouth with my hands, attempting to keep myself from crying. Corey looks at Knox before stepping up and wrapping his arms around me. My body shakes as grief floods out of me. He gently rubs my back, calming me down. “I’m so sorry you lost her,” I say quietly.
“It’s not your fault, but you gave Sasha and me peace knowing that her story was validated.
The justice system is fucked up and let Lacey down, but you didn’t.
I have come to terms with her loss, but that’s only because I know that the bastard who did this to her suffered when he died,” Corey says.
He pulls away and places his hands on my shoulders.
“Phoenyx, we can’t change the bad things that have happened, but we can choose to move forward stronger.
Life is what you make it, and you’ve made my life more peaceful. ”
“Thank you for telling me that,” I say. “I don’t regret what I’ve done, but I’m afraid no one will see the reasoning.”
“I do, and I am honored to help bring peace to you and your family, like you did for me,” Corey says. I nod and step back to stand with Knox.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask, wiping my face.
“We relax tonight, and I’ll send some guys to watch them. They know that we know, so I’d like to see how they react to that,” Knox says. “Tomorrow night we will go in late and take care of things.”
“Do I get to do it?” I ask.
“You do,” he says.
“I can’t wait to see this,” Tripp grins.