She stilled, eyes closing for a second before she worked up the courage to face him.
Zane was close. So close she couldn’t move without touching him. He boxed her into the corner of her kitchen.
He reached up and grazed a thumb over her temple. “Tell me what happened so I can kill the person responsible.”
All the fine hairs on her neck stood on end. Because the way he said it…she believed him. “I got to our apartment building last night and someone shoved me into the wall beside the door. They told me to leave. That, um, no one wants me here.”
Suddenly, and completely unexpectedly, tears gathered in her eyes. Maybe because she hadn’t cried last night. Not after she’d been assaulted. Not after she’d stumbled up the stairs and into her apartment. Not even when she’d placed an ice pack on her aching head.
Zane cursed and tugged her into his chest. And suddenly his strength, his warmth, the safety of his arms—they were the only things that kept her upright. The only things that kept her from completely losing herself.
She wasn’t sure how long she cried into his chest, but the tears refused to stop. They fell hard and fast, and she felt like she was splitting wide open.
Another knock came at the door, and Bonnie gasped before pulling away. “Oh no. That will be my brother and sister.”
“Do they know what happened?”
She shook her head. “No. And it won’t be pretty.” But then, nothing about this was pretty or easy or felt in the slightest way okay.
“Go. Tell them,” Zane said quietly.
He was right. Noah would find out one way or another. It just wasn’t the best way for her to see Indie for the first time in years.
She crossed over to the door and pulled it open. The first person she saw was Indie, and for a fraction of a second, she almost made Bonnie forget. About her attacker and the bruise on her face.
God, her older sister looked different. Not in a bad way. She had a small, rounded pregnant belly, but her green eyes were exactly the same.
“Hi,” Bonnie said quietly.
Indie’s mouth opened, her gaze on Bonnie’s temple.
“What the hell?” Noah shouted. Then his attention shifted to something behind her, and for a split second there was suspicion on his face.
She touched his arm. “Zane’s here to help.”
“What the hell’s going on, Bonnie?” he growled. “Why are you crying with a bruised temple?”
She stepped aside and both her siblings stepped inside her apartment. Suddenly the room felt far too full and the air too heavy.
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Someone attacked me last night.”
Indie gasped while Noah’s eyes narrowed. “Who?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’m not sure. I didn’t see them. It was a man, that’s all I know. They also threatened me and told me to leave town.”
Indie touched her shoulder. It was the first time her sister had touched her in years. The feel of her hand was soft and familiar, and she wanted to tug her sister into her chest.
“Did you call Jesse?” she asked softly.
“I called the station last night.” Her stomach got a sick feeling at the memory. “A deputy answered. At first he seemed concerned, but then I told him my name and…”
“And what?” Zane asked, voice low.
“He said that because I didn’t see my attacker there was nothing he could do. Then he hung up.”
“Thefuck?” Noah yelled.
Zane scowled. “Who the hell did you speak to?”
