The words cut deep, but Annie shook her head."That's not true."
Annie's chest tightened.She became defensive.All she'd ever done was help others.When her mom was sick and later dying, she was the one who dropped everything to help her.When Leigh needed help, she came without question.
Her sister stood, her fists clenched at her sides."It is.You don't see it, but I do.You're blinded by him.He could be a serial killer, and you wouldn't know because you can't see past the blinders you have on."
Jason had hit, kicked, and verbally abused her, too.
"You were there."Leigh paused."You heard Jason.He'd rather kill us than let me leave.He's not going to stop looking for me."
She opened her mouth to argue, but stopped with a new dawning.Leigh wasn't angry at her.Not really.
She was angry at Jason and everything he had done to her.
Everything he had stolen from her.
Annie stepped closer, her voice trembling."This isn't about me.It's about him.You're angry at Jason, and you should be.Don't throw it at me—throw it at him."
Leigh's lips trembled, her eyes filling."I hate him," she whispered, the words breaking free like shards of glass."I hate what he did to me.I hate that I dragged you into my problems and he hurt you.I hate that I can't stop seeing his face every time I close my eyes."
Annie grabbed her shoulders."Say it.Don't hold it in.Let it out."
"I can't."Leigh's sob broke, raw and jagged.
"It's not love, sis.Someone who loves you would never put their hand on you.Would never make you hurt.Would never steal your life away or threaten you the way he has."
"I wish he were dead," cried Leigh, collapsing against Annie.
She held her sister, both of them crying.Their tears mingled as they clung to each other.
Annie's chest shook.She rubbed Leigh's back."We'll get through this.He doesn't get to break us.Not anymore."
Leigh buried her face against her sister's shoulder, her body trembling."I'm so tired of being afraid."
Annie stroked her hair, whispering through her tears."Me too.But we're stronger than him.We have each other.Don't give him the satisfaction of knowing we're scared."
They stayed like that, crying until the tears slowed, until the weight of their grief eased enough to breathe again.
She would do whatever was needed to take care of her sister.Jason wouldn't get another chance at hurting her.
She'd kill Jason herself if that's what she had to do to keep his hands off her sister.
The door creaked open, and Hunter stepped inside.The air was already heavy from the fight she'd had with Leigh, and his presence only thickened it.He crossed the room, his gaze flicking between them, reading the strain without asking for more information.
He reached for her, his hand brushing her arm.Annie shrugged him off and stepped back.The tension of rejection lingered between them.All she knew at that moment was that she didn't want anyone touching her.She needed to stay strong.
"Hungry?"he asked, his voice low.
She ignored the question."Were you trying to find Jason?"
Hunter's bearded jaw flexed.He gave a single nod but offered nothing more.
Annie exchanged a look with Leigh.They needed answers.They needed to know what was happening.
The tension broke when Baker walked in without knocking, carrying a paper bag.He set it down on the end table, his eyes apologetic."Sorry," he muttered, backing out quickly, leaving them alone again.
Hunter pulled out the food and handed her and her sister burgers and fries.They ate in silence, the sound of chewing only muffled by her thoughts.
For how grateful she was for all of Hunter's help, and even the support from Royalla Motorcycle Club, she felt like she'd lost control.That vulnerability and having to rely on someone else made things ten times worse.
