I ground my jaw. “No.”And I don’t plan to. Ever.“If I see him again, I’ll kill him. I don’t want to know where he is. I don’tcare.”
She gave a slow nod of understanding. “That’s an incredible story, Adrik. My God, you are a strong person. I’m still in awe here.”
I let out a soft snort. “It was just survival, nothing more.”
She huffed. “It was an incredible tale of strength and perseverance. Resilience. And true heroism. You saved your brother. And those scars were the cause of your torment for years afterward, but you didn’t let them beat you.” She choked out that last sentence, her eyes welling with fresh tears. “You saved the other prisoners and you took out Goliath, the true beast. That, to me, is heroic.”
Is that how she saw me? A hero?
My chest tightened with emotion. Annika was good for my soul, and she didn’t even know it. Just these brief moments I’d spent with her were memories I would cherish forever.
A small silence fell.
Then I felt compelled to say, “Most people know I was attacked by a dog, but that’s all they know. They don’t know the details. They don’t know I suffer from PTSD. They don’t know the story of my imprisonment or what I went through.You’rethe only one I’ve ever told the full story to.” The only one I’d everwantedto tell it to. Now she knew my humiliating secret. My horrific past.
She sent me a tender smile. “I feel honored that you trust me with your story. You survived hell and still came out of it a good person. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
Her phone shrilled and she reached for it, fishing it out of her wheelchair. “It’s Willow.”
She answered with, “Hey, Willow,” then listened for a moment. Her expression fell. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope she’s okay. Yes, please. Bring Harley over. I’d be happy to watch him until you get back.” She disconnected, lifting her gaze to mine. “Willow’s sister was in a car accident, so she and Sacha are driving to Reno and taking the first flight out. I told her I’d watch Harley for her until she gets back. Is that okay with you?”
I jerked my head in a nod. I would just have to keep my distance from him.
She watched me closely. Then an “ah-ha” look flickered across her face and her eyes lit with excitement.
“I just thought of something, Adrik. My family wants to replace you, but what if we find a way to stop that?”
Hope flared as I looked into her eyes. I didn’t want to leave her. Ever. “How?”
She sent me a cautious smile. “I think I know a way that might help you with your PTSD.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Annika
Witnessing Adrik having a PTSD attack had filled me with compassion and understanding because I’d gone through a trauma of my own when I’d been kidnapped as a child. And then hearing the horrific story about his past and all he’d gone through…I’d been shocked, horrified, amazed, and filled with awe at his resilience and his true heroism. The kinship I’d originally felt with Adrik only seemed to grow the more I learned about him. I’d never experienced this kind of connection with anyone else before. In fact, we’d both been eight years old when we’d each suffered a traumatic event, so we had that in common as well. Though Adrik’s trauma had continued on into his teenage years, he’d beat the monsters and won.
I couldn’t let my family fire him. I just couldn’t. If they learned what Adrik had gone through, they would agree with me. They had to. Adrik deserved a second chance. He deserved an opportunity to overcome his trauma. And I was going to be the one to help him.
Piano had helped me deal with my PTSD.
And I knew what could help Adrik overcome his fear of dogs.
Harley.
If I gently suggested to Adrik that spending time with Harley might help him, what would he say? Would he freak out and refuse? Would he be willing to give it a try? Harley clearly loved Adrik, but Adrik obviously didn’t feel the same way about Harley. I wasn’t a therapist, but I believed Harley could help Adrik if Adrik was open to the idea and willing to give it a try. I would have to talk to Willow and see what she thought about it.
“Please don’t be mad at me for suggesting this,” I said gently. “Just hear me out, okay? I need you to be open-minded.”
Adrik’s gaze filled with wariness. “Annika…”
“No, just listen to me. Please.”
He sighed. “Fine. Spit it out.”
“I think Harley could help you with your PTSD if you let him.”
He tensed, closing his eyes. “No.”