“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, one hand stroking my hair. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. You did so good. You were so brave.”
“How did he find me?” I gasp between sobs. “How did he know?”
“I don’t know, maybe via your location. It’s how I track my brothers.”
“I can’t … I can’t go back. I can’t see him again. I can’t …” I panic over my words.
“You don’t have to. We’ll figure it out. I promise.”
We stand there for a long time, him holding me while I cry. All the anger, all the hurt, all the fear I’ve been holding onto for days comes pouring out. Finally, when I can breathe again, I pull back to look at him.
“I’m so sorry he said those things to you.”
“I don’t care what he said about me.” Jax cups my face gently. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” I laugh weakly. “I think so. That was ... that was horrible.”
“It was. But you stood up to him. You told him exactly what you needed to say.”
“I was so scared.”
“But you did it anyway.”
I lean into his touch, trying to steady myself. “What do we do now?”
Before he can answer, there’s another knock at the door. My heart stops.
“If that’s him again …” Jax starts, his jaw tight.
But a different voice calls out. A familiar voice that makes me both relieved and terrified. “Sloane? It’s Riley! And Maggie! Let us in, it’s fucking freezing out here!”
Jax and I look at each other, confused. Why the hell are my sister and best friend here? Jax opens the door, and sure enough, there’s my best friend and my sister, both bundled up and looking thoroughly annoyed. Riley takes one look at me, at my tear-stained face, at Jax’s protective stance, and her expression shifts from annoyed to murderous.
“Where is he?” she demands. “Where’s that cheating piece of shit?”
“He left,” I tell her.
“Good. Because I was ready to commit violence.” Riley storms into the cabin, Maggie following more quietly. Riley pulls me into a fierce hug. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” She searches for injuries.
“No. I’m okay. How did you …”
“That asshole told your mom that he was coming up here to ‘get his girl back.’” Riley’s voice drips with disgust.
“And mom called me frantic, so I tracked you down by your location, which is probably what Chett did, I told you to turn that off,” she scolds me, “and now we are here.” My sister’s eyes narrow on Jax.
“He left about ten minutes ago,” Jax supplies.
Riley looks at him properly for the first time, and I see the exact moment she realizes who he is. Her eyes widen, then a slow smile spreads across her face. “So, you’re the hot stranger.” She looks him up and down appreciatively. “Nice work, Sloane.”
“Riley!” I feel my face burn.
“What? I’m just saying.” She turns to Maggie. “Told you she upgraded.”
Maggie, ever the more reserved one, just gives Jax a polite nod. “Nice to meet you. Sorry about the circumstances.”
“Jax Reid.” He shakes her hand. “And don’t worry about it. Family looking out for family.”
“So, what happened?” Riley demands, turning back to me. “Give me every detail so I know exactly what to tell the police when I murder him.”
