Stolen Kiss (Erotic Thriller)

Chapter 25

Over the next few months, Raiden attended therapy sessions with Carrie and medical exams with Mike who handled his medications. Slowly she was able to extract the full story from the child including David's torture and the rape of his mother.

The nightmares never ceased and he'd wake up to his sheets soaked, screaming and punching his pillow or the air around him.

Always of his father...or his mother calling out to him. There were sweet dreams of the happier times but those were rare. His hypnotherapy sessions helped to bring more of them out.

Jon and Richie made it a point to talk with Raiden and listen, telling him stories about his mom and showing photos of her smiling. They had removed all traces of David to the best of their ability. Only once did Raiden spot him on one of Richie's album awards, which was taken down shortly thereafter.

A service dog was assigned to Raiden and he was trained to recognize any dissociation from reality and anxiety attacks the child would have. The golden labradoodle, Murray, would sleep at the foot of Raiden's bed each night and his trusty companion each day.

With Murray's help and the support of two loving men, the nightmares eased up and became little more than loud swirls of darkness. He no longer saw his mom as the bloodied and burning corpse but as the smiling beauty she was in life.

The news of David's arrest and upcoming trial hit the media like a bomb. His face and Natalie's were plastered in the papers, social media and the evening news.

Raiden would leave the room anytime it came on TV, Murray hot on his heels. Reporters began following them in public, snapping photos of him and forcing Jon to employ his brother, Matt, to be security of Raiden and Murray.

"Uncle Mookie?" Raiden asked him one evening just before bed after being harassed by reporters who grabbed him at the store. Luckily Murray sprung into action and lunged up to push the reporter off. This had given Matt time to pull Raiden into his arms and rush from the store with Richie. Murray caught up with them and leaned against Raiden, giving him a few sweet sniffs and rubbing their heads together. "Why do they call me Raiden Brockman. Why not Raiden Sambora?"

"Brockman was your Mom's name. She was very proud of it too," Richie answered.

"Am I not allowed to be Raiden Sambora?" he frowned, his young mind trying to sort things out.

Richie thought for a moment. "Is that something you would want?"

"Maybe...one day," Raiden said, "If you want me to." He kissed Richie goodnight as Murray curled up beside him and Richie sat with him as he fell asleep.

*~*Two Years Later*~*

Scattered across the carpet showed the nervousness and excitement of packing up a school backpack for the very first time. Shopping bags lay empty and forgotten, supply packaging littered around a blue trash can.

The first day of school was tomorrow and six-year-old Raiden was anxious. His blonde hair was longer and tied back in a ponytail. He glanced around before setting his backpack next to the door. He climbed onto his bed and picked up the black picture frame on the table.

Gone was the photo of his mom and Father. Now it held a photo of just him and his mom, both smiling wide at the camera. Raiden traced a finger over Natalie's smile and sniffled softly.

"I miss you, mama," he whispered. "Mookie and Ava gave me a birthday party today with my friends. We played games and had pizza and cake."

A quiet knock came at the door and Richie stuck his head in. "Whoa, kid! I'd ask if you're ready for tomorrow but judging from your floor, the answer would be obvious."