“I warned you,” Frank hisses.
Out comes my gun, and I stride over to him, pushing it on his forehead.
“You want to see a real fucking warning, motherfucker?I would go to prison for this woman.Now shut your fucking mouth, or you will meet your maker.”
His eyes are so wide I think they’re about to pop out of his head.They glide to the cops, who do nothing.
Nothing.
“Understand, Frank Bonito?”He blinks at his name.“Do not look at her, breathe her name, or touch her again.Or I will hunt you down.”
My heart is beating so fucking hard in my chest it sounds like a drum.No one says a word for a good three beats, and I slowly lower my weapon, glaring at the evil piece of shit who has taken the spark from my girl.
I put my weapon away, give the cops a quick glance, and note the security guard is also in handcuffs—he is, after all, an accessory— then walk back to Jessie, who has her arms wrapped around her.
“Let’s go,” My arm remains around her from the moment we hit the hallway, in the elevator, and as I push the door open to step outside.
Ryder is waiting for us.
I climb into the backseat with her and tuck her under my arm.
“I’ll have one of the team drop your Jeep off later,” Ryder says when we pull up outside my house forty minutes later.
“Thanks, man.”I jump out and help Jessie.
“Jess,” Ryder says.“Savannah sends her love.When you’re ready, she’ll help you.We have a lot of contacts in this town, all right?Don’t let that piece of shit scare you.”
“How did you—?”
“It’s their usual playbook.He’s not going to see anymore Texas fields.Trust me.Concrete walls are in his future,” Ryder adds.
I give Ryder a grateful nod, then lead her inside.The moment the door clicks, she collapses on the floor.
Shit.
“Jess.”
“I’m so ashamed, Liam.I’m so, so, so dumb.”
Another crack in my heart appears as I lean down and comfort her.
“Let’s get you in the shower.”I need that smell off her.Senses are enormously important when it comes to victim recovery.If Jessie becomes aware of it in the next few hours, it will trigger her.
Over and over.
My arms strain as I lift her from the floor and carry her to my bathroom.I’m aware it’s the first time I’ve taken her into my personal space.
I wish it were under different circumstances.
When the water blasts against the tiles, I slowly remove her clothes and keep checking she’s okay.She steps under and ducks her head under, reaching for me.I go fully dressed.
“Lim, I need you.”She tugs at my shirt.
No.Fuck no.
“Just let me take care of you,” I pour shampoo on her hair, then condition it, and let her slowly wash her body with the sponge.
Then, after turning off the water, I wrap her in a large white towel.Jessie leans into my sopping wet shirt and closes her eyes.I watch us in the mirror and for the first time see us as a couple.
