I vaguely remember CPS being called and a lady in a pantsuit coming to get me, taking me to the hospital. They put me in a room, photographed everything, ran tests and x-rays. I felt like a lab rat, they asked me questions, but I said nothing. I maintained my silence. It wasn't until Griff, my father's VP, came storming into the room that I moved. I flinched and recoiled as he got closer. He looked down at me, his harsh gaze meeting mine. I had said nothing. I hadn't ratted him out, not exactly.
"I didn't…" I muttered out in a hoarse voice, moving my hands up to shield myself. God, he really was going to kill me.
"No, you didn't, did you. You kept your mouth shut like you were supposed to, didn't you, Princess?" He asked me in a gravelly voice. I flinched at the nickname, but I nodded.
"Good. Not that it matters. In this case, you can squeal all you want." He told me, holding my gaze and I could only blink at him.
"What?" I asked him. He smiled at me and he sat down in the chair next to my bed and leaned back, looking casual and comfortable.
"Let's just say, that I am not unhappy about recent events. The only way that a president can leave is in a body bag or in a jail cell. So, let's also just say that hypothetically, if he were gone for good… the club wouldn't be unhappy about it, be it because he has a bullet in his head, or he is rotting behind bars for fucking up his kid." He told me, watching my reaction.
"So, you want me to rat?" I asked him, just to be sure.
"Nope, I want you to tell the truth. In this case, you wouldn't be considered a rat, you would just be a scared little girl tired of being used as a punching bag telling her truth. Maybe even embellished a little to make it worse." He gave me a look that said I probably should make it worse, but he didn't have any idea that there wasn't much worse than what my dad had already done over the years. "Though, to be honest, while I can give you permission, to tell the truth, that would still mean you would have to leave. I have plans, plans that you would come in the way of if you were around. Fox's kid loves you, he cherishes you, if you are here, he is going to have a soft spot, a weakness, one that I can't afford for him to have." He meant Garret and I blanched at the idea of having Garret hurt in some way.
"You aren't going to hurt him, are you?" I asked him, eyes wide.
"Nope. I like him, for now anyway, and he is useful. I've seen him around, heard the stories. If he thinks that you are still around his focus is going to be divided, if you're gone, well that gives him more time to focus on what I need him to."
"So, tell the truth about my dad, but then what? If they stick me in the system, they might keep me here, what would you like for me to do?" I asked him, keeping my voice level and low. I don't want to give him any fucking reason to kill me. Griff just smiled wide.
"That's where I have some good news for you princess." He tells me standing up from his chair. "Turns out your dad's brother is still alive. I called him, explained the situation and he is on his way to come to get you." I couldn't help but be shocked. My Uncle Keagan was still alive? I pushed those feelings down, keeping myself as neutral as possible in front of Griff.
"When I leave here…. I'll be good with the club?" I had to ask, he had hinted around that it was going to be fine with them for me to tell the truth, but I had to know for sure. He seemed to think it over for a moment then he leaned down, placing his hands on the bed, getting uncomfortably close to my face.
"The official deal is this, princess, you tell the truth about daddy dearest, you leave this town and all of the people in it behind, no contact, no nothing. Ever. In exchange, I will keep the club away from you, even your dad and lover boy, and I will even toss in a one-time favor because you're pretty." He glances down at my mouth and he smirks, leaning in closer as I turn my head to the side. He kisses my cheek softly, which is an odd feeling coming from Griff. "I kind of wish I could keep you around. Might be a lot of fun to show you what a real man could do for you." He says into my ear, making me shudder in revulsion. Don't get me wrong, Griff is an attractive man. He is tall, at least 6'2, with dark brown hair and matching eyes. He is built like a truck with muscle on muscle. If I hadn't known him my entire life, it might be different, but I knew him better than I wanted to and everything in him was evil straight down to his core. He leaned up with a dark chuckle and watched me. I thought it all over and I finally sighed, my shoulders sagging.
"Okay. You got a deal." I told him, still not looking at him. Though I saw him nod and he turned towards the door. "Wait." He turned to look at me, an eyebrow raised. "Just…please…. keep Garret safe, if you can. I know you don't owe me that. I know that but, I am asking anyway, just please don't let him get hurt." I half expected him to laugh or to make a comment but instead, he moved back over to me, his face softened for a moment and he nodded, holding out his hand. I glanced down at it before I took it, shaking it once before I let it go. His face hardened again, back to the Griff I had always known and without another word, he turned and walked out the door.
This time when the officers came back into my room, I told them everything