I can’t breathe. I knew she was poor. I knew she didn’t have enough food. I never suspected she was abused. Not back then. My heart hurts. I want to scream, but that will only make things worse. She needs me to stay calm.
“Was it always like that, sweetheart?”
She sniffles. “No. He was always mean, but he got a lot worse after my mom died, and then ten times worse when Hannah ran away.”
No wonder Hannah took off, but it left Rebekah alone with that monster.
“Has he done all of those things recently, Rebekah?” I try hard not to let my voice wobble. My hands are flat on her. I want to fist them, march over to her house, and punch her father in the face until he stops breathing. I still might.
“Yes,” she murmurs. “Can I go now?”
“No, sweetheart, you cannot go. Not ever.”
She gasps, eyes wide. “I can’t stay here, Adam. He’ll kill me.”
“I won’t let him. Neither will my brothers. You’re safe here.”
“He’ll think I’m a harlot.”
“You’re not a harlot. Stop saying that word. It’s vile. Have you ever had sex, Rebekah?” I seriously doubt it, but I need to know for sure.
She shakes her head. “I don’t even know any men. I told you, the only people I ever see are my father’s gross friends. He doesn’t let them in the house, though. I see them through the window while they sit outside, talking. They don’t come often, but sometimes one of them brings supplies. And…” Rebekah shoves at me. “I don’t have time to explain all this, Adam. I’m serious.”
“Rebekah, listen to me. I’m going to give you some choices, and you may pick one. These are your options. If you want to go home and get some personal things, I will drive you myself. I will go into your house with you and wait while you pack. If your father is there, I will tell him you’re mine. If he’s not, I’ll go back and talk to him later. Your other option is to stay here and never go back. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to retrieve any mementos you might want, but I’ll try at some point in the future. Either way, you’re not sleeping under that roof ever again, Rebekah. I can’t allow it. If you want to stay with me in this cabin, you’re welcome to do so. If you’re not interested in me that way, you can stay with one of my brothers.” I cringe inside at that thought. It’s not happening, but I need her to feel like she is coming to my bed on her own. Forcing her to accept me as her boyfriend isn’t my style.
Rebekah’s mouth opens and closes several times. “If you go over there, he’ll kill you.”
“I don’t remember him being that large, sweetheart,” I point out. I’m picturing a lanky man who’s about five nine and gets most of his calories from booze.
“He has a shotgun, Adam!” she shouts, her eyes wide, body stiff.
“Sweetheart, he wouldn’t even be able to get it off the wall before I took it from him. I promise.”
She shakes her head rapidly. “I can’t let you do this. He’ll come after you. He’ll kill me. If he locks me in the cellar without food or water for two days for supposedly backtalking, imagine what he will do if I don’t have his dinner ready on time.”
“I don’t have to imagine it. I get it, sweetheart. I need you to let me handle your father. I will not let you anywhere near him on your own for any reason. Not ever.”
Tears start falling down her face. I know this is a lot. I’m flipping her world upside down. She had no idea when she snuck onto our property to watch us today that she would never go home again. She had no idea I would claim her and make her my wife. I didn’t know any of that, either. But here we are.
This woman is mine to protect for the rest of our lives. She’s mine to love. Mine to cherish. Mine to provide for. She will never know hunger again. She will have nice things, nice clothes, pretty jewelry. She will scream my name when I enter her body. She will bear my children. She will never want for anything for another day in her life. I will see to it.
I reach to open the drawer at my hip and take out a washcloth. After dampening it in the sink next to us, I hold it up. “Tip your head back, sweetheart.”
She does as I ask, letting me wipe her face. Damn, she’s gorgeous. I don’t like to see her cry, though. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she never knows the kind of hardship she’s had for twenty years ever again. It’s in the past.
Rebekah is mine now.
Four
Rebekah
* * *
I can’t believe this is happening. I should have gone home. If I hadn’t gotten caught snooping by Asher…
I’m scared out of my mind. My dad is going to kill me. He’s going to come here with his shotgun and kill everyone. I’m shaking, and I can’t stop. I keep sobbing intermittently. Just when I think I’m done, my brain sends me back there.
Adam scoops me off the counter and carries me in his arms over to the massive recliner. When he sits, he tucks me against him. I pull my limbs up and curl into a ball on his lap in a fetal position. Some firecracker I am. He’s busting through my armor.
