Scout: Devil's Rose #11

Chapter 6: Violet Monroe

"Kai pushed me into his car like a police officer does, pushing down on my head. He took my phone so I couldn't do anything, and I was in the front seat of the car. He drives to his apartment, which I had never gone to before.

"I knew the neighborhood though. Eastvail. He took me inside, and it was a mess, like really gross. I couldn't believe that Harper had slept over. It doesn't take long for him to start taking my clothes off. He got me half-naked and stared at me for a while.

"He slapped me around, on the butt and my breasts and a bit on my face. Got himself off, then got me to put my clothes back on, and kicked me out. He didn't try anything else."

I'm not saying that to diminish what I went through. What I went through was still awful and has forever changed me. My experience cannot be compared or downgraded to someone else's, however, I have to speak the facts.

And the facts are that he didn't do anything more than that. He could have. Kai could have done something more to me, but he didn't. While I'm relieved that he didn't, part of me also wonders what he has done now.

Was he just finding the courage to take the next step to someone else? I wonder that all the time.

"And he left the next day?"

"Yeah. He was just gone. Harper went by his place around ten because he wasn't answering his phone, and all of his stuff was gone. It was like he didn't even exist. I have photos if you want them."

"Yeah, that could be helpful. All of this already was. Before the incident happened, did he ever talk about a safe place that he enjoyed being? Or wanted to go again?"

Major sounds less comforting, but I think it's for my benefit too. I need someone not to freak out and what happened. I need someone to treat me as if what I just said wasn't traumatizing.

It doesn't stop me from feeling safe and not having compassion directed toward me, but I don't want to be treated any differently. He wants information out of me, and that's what he's going to get regardless of what I've said.

It brings me back to the purpose of what I'm saying and not just me reliving a trauma. What I'm saying, what I'm telling him, means something. It means more than a bad situation that I now have to live with.

"The personal detail stuff I know from Harper. She used to tell me about this place in Castell of all places. He had a cabin there, but I don't think that's where he went. He's clever, and he wouldn't go to the one place that is easiest for him to be found. I mean, yeah, check it out, but I don't think he's there. It's easier to hide in a bigger city and easy to get away with shit."

Major nods his head, agreeing with what I'm saying.

"I think you're right, Violet. I'll have some Devil's Rose guys in Austin check it out since they're closer. I think we should focus here though. When someone goes farther, they make mistakes. They get comfortable because the farther away, the less they feel like they have to look over their shoulder.

"But Kai hasn't fucked up. Not once. While it could be that he's just being careful, and he's good at it, I don't think that's true. To be honest, you're alive, you're here, and that means he's capable of making mistakes. You have so much information, and he didn't even think to try and hurt you to the point where you wouldn't speak up."

He's honest, but it's brutal.

"I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but it's true. And the thing is, the closer he is here, the more he can keep an eye on you. The closer he is, the more careful he has to be. I think that's why he might still be around, even if no one has seen him."

"Do you think he's hurting other women, Major? Other people?"

"I don't know. As much as I want to tell you that I know, I don't. I can't fucking find this guy. Do you have anything else that could be helpful?"

I think on it for a second, trying to remember what Harper or Kai himself told me.

"He grew up in a survivalist household. His parents prepared for a catastrophe his whole life. I wouldn't surprised if he found ways in adulthood to survive his own catastrophes.

"He put himself in positions that would help him survive. I think he's incredibly prepared. Can you think of anything around here that would have helped him gain an upper hand?"

"Nothing anymore. Nothing that sustained. We've had trouble with past gangs and things like that, but they aren't here anymore. But you're onto something."

We smile at each other, and I can tell that we're both feeling better about everything. I feel like I've helped, and Major has gotten the information that he needs to help more people. I sort of like doing this.

Part of me feels like I'm his sidekick almost, brainstorming ideas about where Kai could be. Is it weird that I get enjoyment out of this?

"Now, Violet, I have to ask you something. I'm not sure how you're going to take it, but if we think Kai is around, watching you, there's an element of danger there. I can't guarantee that he's not gonna come and hurt you now that you've talked to me."

"So what are you asking?"

"Would you be willing to stay in a safe house? He wouldn't know where you are."

"I don't want to leave Westmoor. He can know where I am. I don't care. I wanna investigate this with you, Major. I can't just leave it for you to deal with. This is my justice too."

"But it's also your safety."

"Westmoor, with the MC, is the safest place I could be. Safe houses never work."

"Okay, well, then how about staying with an MC member?"

"My friends will think I have lost my mind. And it wouldn't be safe to tell them what happened."

"Fine, then someone can stay with you."

"Harper though. She lives with me."

"Would she mind?"

"Yes, and even if she didn't, both Harper and Clara will know that someone is staying with me."

Major heaves a sigh, clearly frustrated that we can't find a solution.

He doesn't understand though. I can't just leave my place, they will think I'm crazy. I can't just have someone staying with me, a man by the way, because they will also think I'm crazy. Or get mad that I didn't tell them anything about this guy before he moved with me.

They are going to think that I've lost it. There's no way to make this situation normal without them wanting to know what's seriously happening. And for their safety, I can't tell them. I don't want Kai to go after them.

Then, they're gonna need a fucking safe house, which is stupid. I don't know what Major expects, but it would be incredibly odd for them and me who would have to live with a stranger.

As far as I know, most of those guys have wives and a family. I'm not gonna let some guy with a family stay with me. Not that they're going to cheat but because they should be with the people that they care about and that care about them.

He's officially lost his mind. Say I didn't move out and no one moved in, there would be a guard outside my door for all I know. Harper and Clara would be freaking out and have no idea what's happening.

They don't know what's happening now, but that is because I've left them completely oblivious that anything happened.

"I have an idea," Major speaks up, clasping his hands on his thick thighs.

"Am I going to hate it?"

"Maybe, but it's an idea."

"You have a guy move in. They ask about it, tell them you met in Westmoor and liked each other, and he's staying over a couple of times during the week."