"Is there anything you need?" I asked hesitantly, fearful of pushing her too far.
"I... I need to be clean," she whispered, her voice small and vulnerable.
"Of course," I murmured, feeling my chest tighten with concern. I hurried into the bathroom, filling the tub with hot water, and added a few drops of lavender oil to help soothe her frayed nerves. The steam rose, fogging the mirror, and the scent filled the air, a small comfort in this moment of darkness.
"Erica, the bath is ready," I called out softly, standing in the doorway. "Do you need help undressing?" She shook her head, a silent plea for privacy. I respected her wishes, stepping back into the bedroom and closing the door behind me. As much as I longed to be closer to her, to ease her pain, I knew I had to give her space. It was a delicate balance, being there for her without smothering her. I waited outside, listening to the faint rustling of clothing, followed by the splash of water. And then, the muffled sound of her crying once more. My gut twisted, and I couldn't stay away any longer. I needed to see her, to reassure myself that she was okay.
I pushed the door open slowly, my gaze falling upon Erica's naked form in the tub. Her legs were drawn up to her chest, her head buried in her hands as sobs wracked her body.
"Erica," I breathed, my own voice cracking with emotion. "Please, let me help." I stepped forward, careful not to startle her. Erica looked up at me with tear-streaked cheeks and red-rimmed green eyes that pierced my very soul.
"I... I've been strong for so long," she choked out between sobs. "Now that I can let my guard down, I'm just... exhausted."
"Erica," I murmured, reaching out to brush a strand of damp hair from her face. "You don't need to be strong all the time. Let me be strong for both of us. I'll protect you."
"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water lapping against the side of the tub. "Help me."
"Of course," I said, moving closer. Picking up a sponge, I dipped it into the warm water and began to gently clean her trembling body.
As the dirt and grime washed away, I couldn't help but notice the bruises and scars scattered across her skin. A pink healing scar marred her side, while dark purple marks covered her legs and torso. My chest tightened as anger bubbled within me, and though I tried to keep it under control, I knew Erica could sense my fury. I carefully cleaned around the pink scar on Erica's side, I couldn't help but inquire about its origin.
"What happened here?"
"Jasper stabbed me in the cells," she whispered, her voice strained and heavy with the weight of the memory.
"Erica... I swear to you, Jasper will pay for this." My voice was a low growl, my anger barely contained. The thought of him hurting her ignited a fire within me, leaving me desperate to exact vengeance.
"Promise me you'll be careful, Liam," she said, her eyes searching mine.
"Of course," I replied, although the promise felt like a hollow gesture when all I wanted was to rip Jasper apart for what he had done to her.
Continuing to clean her body, I noticed bruises around her thighs. My growl reverberated through the bathroom, a visceral reaction to the sight of her pain. Erica flinched, looking down as if trying to hide herself from me.
"Who did this to you?" My voice was barely above a whisper, the words sharp and jagged.
"Does it matter?" She met my gaze, her eyes filled with anguish. It mattered to me, I wanted to say. It mattered because whoever had hurt her would face my wrath. But I saw the torment in her eyes, the vulnerability that she so rarely showed, and I knew I couldn't push her further. Instead, I focused on the task at hand, gently cleaning the rest of her body while my mind raced with a thousand unspoken questions. The one that haunted me the most - had she been raped? - remained locked away, too horrifying to voice aloud.
I struggled to keep my composure, to remain the calm and steady presence she needed right now. What kind of mate was I if I couldn't even protect her from harm? The water stilled, and Erica's eyes met mine.
"I'm clean now," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Okay," I murmured, my heart aching for her. I helped her out of the bath, wrapping her in a fluffy towel with gentle, deliberate movements, fearful of causing her any more pain. Her body trembled against mine as I carried her into our bedroom, her vulnerability making me feel both fiercely protective and utterly useless at the same time.
"Let's get you dressed," I suggested softly, trying to keep my tone light. I guided her onto the bed and handed her some clean night clothes, watching as she shakily pulled them on. She seemed so fragile, so unlike the woman I'd fallen in love with, and it twisted something inside me. It wasn't fair, none of this should have happened to her. Her hair, still damp from the bath, clung to her face, making her seem even more vulnerable. Wordlessly, I grabbed a towel and began to dry her hair, my fingers careful not to tug. As I worked, I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift back to those bruises, to the horrors my mate had endured while I'd been powerless to save her.
"Thank you," she murmured, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Of course," I replied, forcing a smile. "I'll always be here for you, Erica."
After tucking her into bed, I told her I'd be sleeping on the sofa. The thought of leaving her alone tore at me, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. To my surprise, she reached out and caught my hand, her green eyes wide and pleading.
"Please, Liam," she begged. "Stay with me."
"Are you sure?" I asked hesitantly, wanting nothing more than to hold her close yet fearing that she might be too skittish for such a display of affection. When she nodded, I climbed into bed behind her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
"Thank you," she whispered again, and I wrapped my arms around her, trying to convey all the love and protection I could offer through a simple embrace. As we lay there in the darkness, I felt her tears begin to dampen my chest. It took every ounce of strength within me not to break down as well, but I knew that she needed me to be strong. So, I whispered soothing words into her ear, repeating over and over that she was safe, that I would protect her no matter what. Slowly, her sobs subsided, and she slipped into an uneasy sleep. As I listened to the steady rhythm of her breathing, I vowed to myself that I would do everything in my power to help her heal, and to ensure that those responsible for her pain would face justice.
Chapter 28
