“Could you make her some hot sweet tea? And bring me the first aid kit.” She must have taken a fall on her way here, because her hands are scratched and dirty and one knee is bloody and torn with bits of debris embedded in her tender flesh. If anyone was chasing her or anyone forced her to fall, God help them. Because I will fucking hunt them down and make them pay for hurting my girl.
He nods, shutting the front door before making himself scarce in the kitchen.
The main space on this floor is an open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen. We also have a separate bathroom and game room on this level.
I move to place Selena beside me on the couch, but she clings onto me harder, and my heart swells to bursting point. I can’t deny how good it is to feel wanted. Needed. To know she came to me for help. I don’t like the fact something bad must have happened to propel her here, but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth even if I’ll pay for this later.
I lean back in the couch, closing my eyes and committing the feel of her in my lap, with her face pressed into my neck, into my memory.
Everything about her screams home. From her smell to her soft touch and the feel of her in my arms.
Kent returns with the first aid box and the tea. “What about something to eat?” he asks, setting the tea down on the end table beside us.
“Sel.” Gingerly, I reach out, cupping one side of her face. “Do you want something to eat?” She shakes her head, pinning me with those gorgeous eyes. “Kent made you some tea. Let’s sit up so you can drink it.” At the mention of Kent, she clings to me even harder. I glance at my brother, communicating with my eyes.
He nods, instantly understanding. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thanks, brother.”
He slants a concerned glance in Selena’s direction, and a pained look shimmers in his eyes for a brief second before he turns and climbs the stairs to his bedroom.
I maneuver us into a seated position, tending to her injuries first before holding the mug of steaming tea to Selena’s lips, helping her drink it. I’ve got it so bad because I can’t tear my gaze away from her plump lips as she sips from the mug, remembering how amazing it felt to kiss her.
“Thank you,” she whispers when she’s finished.
I take the empty mug and place it back on the table. “Does your mom know where you are?” I ask, because it’s dark out now and I’m sure Sandrine is expecting her to be home. I know she often used to work late, but I don’t know if she still does that now I’m not there to keep Selena company on those nights.
The thoughts that someone else might have stepped into my shoes twist and turn in my gut, but I can’t be selfish. Whatever is going on in her life, she needs me now, and I’m going to support her the best way I can.
“I…” She chews on the corner of her mouth and her brow puckers. “I don’t know,” she admits, her gaze raking over my face. “I don’t even know how I got here.”
That’s worrying, but there’s nothing I can do to change that now. “Let me send her a message so she knows you are okay.” I pull my cell from my pocket and tap out a quick message to her mom. The phone pings almost straightaway with a response. I lift my head. “She’s coming over. She was worried.”
“I didn’t mean to worry her. I just…” She trails off, snuggling back into me, her face pressing against the other side of my neck.
“It’s okay, baby.” I press a soft kiss to her temple, relieved when she doesn’t push me away.
Touch has always been difficult for Sel, but when we became a couple, she grew comfortable with my touch, and I didn’t have to be so careful. But it’s been almost two years since we were together, and I don’t know if things have regressed or if they are the same. I’m not taking any chances though, because she’s calm now, and I don’t want to do or say anything to send her spiraling again.
We don’t talk for ten minutes, but it’s not in any way awkward. Selena’s not a big talker, and I’m used to comfortable silences. Getting to hold her is like a dream come true, so I’m not going to push it. But I don’t need to.
“Keanu,” she whispers a minute later.
“Yes, babe.” I press another kiss to her temple.
“I’m scared.”
“You’re safe, Selena. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”
A single tear trickles out of the corner of one eye. “He’s here,” she whispers, her voice cracking at the end.
Blood turns to ice in my veins, and I work hard to keep the panic off my face and from my tone. “Who’s here?”
“The man who bought me.” Her breath oozes out in panicked spurts. “The one I escaped from.”
My lungs constrict, and I can’t get enough air into my body. I stare at her, this time unable to keep the horror off my face.
“Don’t let him take me, Keanu,” she whimpers, curling into me and clinging to me so hard it’s borderline painful. “Don’t let him hurt me again.”
