They ate quietly, the three of them gathered around the coffee table.Leigh managed a few bites, but Annie ate with purpose, her body finally remembering how hungry it was.
Halfway through the meal, she set her fork down and looked at Hunter."I need to ask you something."
He nodded, giving her his full attention.
"I need to go to Seattle."She pointed."To go to my bank, but I don't have any money with me to pay for a train ticket."She hesitated."If I could borrow the money for the train ticket, I can pay you back the second I return."She drew an X over her heart."I need to get enough to get Leigh out of here."
Hunter didn't speak right away.
He just looked at her—really looked at her—and something in his eyes softened.She hoped he understood, and she hadn't talked too fast.
"I'll pay you back," she said again, her voice firmer."I swear."
He said, "I'll help you."
Annie exhaled, her shoulders sagging in relief.She didn't know why she trusted him so much.Maybe it was the way he never asked for anything in return.
Or maybe it was just that, for the first time in a long time, someone was taking care of her, instead of her taking care of her mom or her sister.
And that meant everything to her.
Chapter 13
He leaned against thearm of the chair, watching Annie fuss with the blanket around her sister.Leigh looked pale, making her bruises more noticeable, but she was steadier than yesterday, though Hunter could see the stiffness in her movements.
Having been in his share of fights, he understood the pain that came from simply breathing.Each day would get easier.Maybe not mentally, but physically for her.
"When do you plan on going home?"he asked.
Annie looked at him."When my sister—"
She whipped her gaze off him to her sister.He leaned to the side but couldn't make out what Leigh was saying.They appeared to disagree.
"What?"he said.
Annie turned back toward him."Sorry.She says she's fine, and it's obvious that she's not okay."
