“Yes, or about Lee,” Jake said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his knees. “Both things that you should have told me.”
“I thought I was imagining things,” she said. “And I was starting to think that Lee wasn’t going to be an issue so it seemed pointless to tell anyone.”
“Pointless,” Kellan muttered. “This is your safety we’re talking about, Arabella.”
“I know.” She winced.
“This is the sort of thing that I needed to be aware of,” Jake said. “Even if he’s not a threat, you’re scared of him.”
God. He was right.
She was scared of Lee. And she should start listening to her gut rather than dismissing her feelings as stupid or not important.
The way her father always had.
“I was never allowed a voice growing up. When I spoke up my father would tell me I was an idiot or stupid. You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“It can be hard to believe that someone cares about you, that they might want to help you,” Jake said. “But lots of people here do. And we need to know when you’re in trouble, even if it’s just a feeling and nothing comes of it. Okay?”
She nodded, trying to keep her composure. It used to be easy to keep a mask in place, but it seemed to have become increasingly harder.
“Am I in trouble?” she asked.
“With Jake? No,” Kellan said. “With us? Yes. Since we’re now your guardians.”
26
“Wait When did this happen?” Jake asked.
“We’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Eli told him. “We just had to wait until Arabella was comfortable with the idea.”
“And are you, Arabella?” Jake asked. “You can say if you’re not. If you don’t want that there will be no repercussions.”
This was it.
The moment that could change everything. If she said no, then what would happen? She didn’t agree that there would be no repercussions.
There were always repercussions.
Maybe they’d never ask again. Maybe they’d leave and not want anything to do with her.
But was she ready for that leap?
“Can you give us a moment, Jake?” Eli asked.
Jake looked at her. “That okay with you, Arabella?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I think it might be a good idea.”
“All right. I’m going to try and call Ravina. I’ll let her know what’s happened if you like? And I will call Mrs. Taylor as well.”
“Oh, I should do that.”
Jake shook his head. “I’ve got it. Take one thing off your plate. I’ll be back in about ten minutes.”
“Thanks, Jake,” she said.
After he left, Kellan stood and set her down on the sofa. She immediately felt the loss.
