She dragged her gaze from the window to Jesse behind the wheel. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Until we find Dylan, you’re not going anywhere by yourself.”
Dylan…her fingers itched to touch the bruising on her neck, as if she needed the reminder of exactly what he’d done. She’dcovered the bruising with makeup, but every time she looked in the mirror, it was all she saw. Every time she closed her eyes,hewas all she saw…the anger as he choked her. The fury as he said she was his.
“Hey.”
She jolted and swung to face Jesse.
His voice gentled. “Are you okay?”
No. For the millionth time in the last two days, she’d gotten lost in the darkness.
But she nodded because he was already angry and stressed enough. He didn’t need her adding to any of that.
The muscles in his arms contracted…he knew she was lying.
“There’ve been no sightings of him?” she asked.
“Not yet. But there are a lot of eyes looking for him, and there are only so many places he can hide in a small town. We’ll find him.”
The rational part of her brain knew that. The part that kept remembering his fingers around her neck was wondering if that would happen before or after he got her alone again.
Jesse pulled onto a residential street. She frowned at the cabin when he pulled up. “You’re sure this is where she’s staying?” Her mother didn’t have a lot of money, and this Airbnb had to be costing a fortune, especially considering how long she’d already been in town.
“George, the owner, confirmed she keeps extending her stay and is still there.”
“Hm. Okay.”
They both climbed out of the car, and she didn’t miss the way he scanned the street before studying the cabin. He touched a hand to the small of her back and led her toward the door.
“Whatever happens in there…I’m sorry in advance,” she said quietly, feeling obligated to warn him even though he probably didn’t need it.
“You don’t need to apologize for anyone else’s behavior.”
“Okay, but what if I attack her?” She half grinned at him, only kind of joking.
“I’ll give you a five-second start before I jump in,” he whispered before they stopped at the entrance.
Her half grin dropped when she looked at the door. She didn’t knock right away. It always took a few seconds to work up the nerve to see her mother. What mood would she be in today? Happy? Angry? Would she start one way and switch to the other when Aspen started asking questions?
Jesse didn’t push her. In fact, he didn’t say or do anything. He just stood by her side, being his usual perfect self, the warmth of his hand seeping into her skin.
Twenty long seconds and a million unhealthy thoughts later, and she knocked.
Footsteps sounded from inside the house, then the door opened and Karen Davies stood in front of them.
Her mother’s brows rose. “Aspen. What are you doing here?” Her gaze shifted to Jesse, and a small scowl crossed her face. “Are you—”
“I need to talk to you, Mom.”
Her mother shifted her gaze back to Aspen. “I was going to pop out, but I suppose I can spare a few minutes. But only you,not him.”
Jesse tensed. “I’m staying with her.”
Her mother raised a brow. “Well then, I’m not talking to either of you. Have a nice day.”
She went to close the door, but Aspen pressed her palm to the wood. “Mom. Really?”
