Page 37 of Nyx

"Crazy how the census is low when abuse is so prevalent," I mutter as we make our way back down the stairs.

"Reporting is the issue," Victoria says. "The abuse is happening all over all the time, but people are so scared to report their abusive partners. As you know, they've been conditioned and threatened. The admissions come in waves. It will probably pick up for us since the kids are home from school. They have no escape and more opportunities. Abuse escalates during trying times, and the kids at home, eating more, puts more financial strain on families. Being around more triggers a lot of irritation in abusers."

"And help from the community to ease some of that strain is looked at like a handout, and a lot of abusers are too prideful to ask for or receive help," I add.

"Exactly," she says. "We also worry that some think the house isn't safe. We had to move to a different house a while back, and things just haven't bounced back in admissions as quickly as we would like. The fundraiser in a few weeks might help with that, though."

I don't ask about what triggered the move or what could've happened to make people question the house's safety, but I know it will probably come up in conversation at a later date.

"I've only met Traci. The others?"

"Dana and her kiddos are newer," Victoria says as she steps inside the office. "They come out for meals and might spend a little time each day in the backyard or living room, but they're still getting used to being here."

"Understandable," I say, sitting in my office chair as she closes the office door.

"They come out for school, but Dean, the little boy, has night terrors. Poor thing looks like a zombie most days."

"Therapy?"

"Three times a week for Dean," Victoria answers as she takes a seat at her own desk. "Twice a week for Daisy. Dana stayed, thinking her husband was only abusing her, but left when her husband threatened to move on to their daughter when she refused to perform her wifely duties."

I wince.

"Pretty bad situation all the way around," Victoria says. "Both kids are traumatized from watching the abuse, and I think the mental health side of things for others in the home is often overlooked when someone is considering leaving."

"Had Daisy been abused?" I asked.

Victoria shakes her head. "She says she hasn't. The forensic interviewer detected some grooming behaviors, but no evidence that abuse had started yet."

"Thank goodness," I say, trying not to look at Dana's case as an outsider looking in.

It's so easy to blame an abuse survivor for not leaving sooner when they haven't lived that situation themselves. It's a lot harder than most people realize.

"Melissa and Caroline are the other two women. They're both at work. Melissa works at a small grocery store down the road, and Caroline works at the local nursing home. Traci had a job at one of the restaurants in town, but the swelling in her feet made it impossible to keep up."

"And Dana?" I ask.

"Dana hasn't worked since high school, where she met her abuser. He kept her pretty much locked down and alienated for the last eleven years. We'll help her with employment when she's ready," she explains. "If you log into your computer, I can help you get set up in the system."

Chapter 11

Nyx

I track her car the second she pulls up, having noticed it at the clubhouse several days ago.

She stays in her car, looking all around the area before gaining the confidence to step out.

Knowing what I know about her through Max's research seems like a violation of her privacy, even though it will help us keep her as safe as we can.

I keep my eyes locked on her, the mic in my ear silent as Holler monitors the back of the property.

She's parked on the street, the handful of black SUVs in the parking area making it look like some high-ranking politician has stopped by for a visit.

It always looks like this when Emmalynn, Beth, and Misty come to Juniper House. Security is literally tripled when they're here because all Cerberus men are insanely protective of their loved ones.

As crazy as it looks, it doesn't feel like overkill, even to me, someone who isn't romantically attached to another person. As far as I'm concerned, every woman should be protected at the same level, with the same vigilance, though I know that isn't possible for the average person.

Cerberus's security for their loved ones is in place for good reason. The club has created many powerful enemies simply by ensuring women aren't abused. They've cut the heads off many snakes, but those who aren't impressed with Cerberus just seem to keep multiplying. Severing avenues of making money for sex traffickers tends to piss a lot of people off—those making the money, and those looking to spend their money on devious acts against women and children.