I climb into the passenger seat beside her. Leave the door open so I can watch the parking lot. Watch for any sign of that black rental coming back.
"He said I was nothing." Her voice is hollow. "In front of everyone."
"He's wrong."
"Is he?" She turns to look at me. "I ran from my wedding. I'm living with four men I barely know. I can't even grocery shop without causing a scene. What if he's right? What if I am nothing?"
"Stop." I reach over and take her hand. "You're not nothing. You never were."
"Then what am I?"
I could give her platitudes. Could tell her she's strong and brave and surviving.
Instead, I tell her the truth.
"You're the woman who ran from a wedding because staying was worse than leaving." I squeeze her hand. "You're not nothing, Jess. You're everything."
Her breath catches.
"Nacho..."
"I'm not asking for anything. I'm just telling you what I see." I brush my thumb across her knuckles. "What I've always seen. Even when you were with him. Even when I wasn't supposed to look."
A tear slides down her cheek.
I reach up and wipe it away.
"He's gone," I tell her. "And he's not coming back. I'll make sure of it."
A truck pulls into the parking lot. Navy blue. Negrorio Carpentry logo on the side.
Carlos jumps out, Sergio right behind him. They take one look at Jessica's face and their expressions harden to stone.
"What happened?" Sergio's voice is deadly calm.
"Callum." I don't elaborate. They can see the evidence. The shaking. The tears. The protective way I'm sitting beside her.
Carlos's jaw clenches. "Where is he?"
"Gone. For now." I look at Sergio. "We need to talk. All of us. Tonight."
He nods. "Agreed."
Carlos moves to Jessica's side of the truck. Opens the door. Crouches down so he's at her eye level.
"Hey, sunshine." His voice is soft. Gentle. "Let's get you home, okay?"
She nods wordlessly.
He helps her out and into his arms. She goes willingly, pressing her face against his neck, breathing in his scent.
Sergio moves to stand beside me. We watch Carlos settle Jessica in his truck, watch him buckle her seatbelt like she's something precious.
"He grabbed her," I say quietly. "Hard enough to leave marks."
Sergio doesn't respond. Doesn't need to. I can smell the rage rolling off him. Cedar and smoke, sharp with fury.
"I threatened him. Told him to leave town. Made it official."
