She’s tiny in my arms.
So vulnerable and beautiful.
Mine.
I should’ve fucking protected her.
I should have pushed Jessie to tell me who her rapist was.Herrapists.We still don’t know who the other man was.It’s going to be a long road ahead of recovery, but I will be there for her.We all will.
Talking to Jayden about this is going to be a thousand times more complicated now.Her parents will need to be told.
That’s not all.
Everyone is going to have to come to grips with one other thing.
Jessie is mine.
I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, and that includes keeping her.We both want it and after tonight, I’m not taking my eyes off her.
“No more apologies.No more making yourself wrong.You’re the victim here, Jessie.”
Her face lifts to mine.
“I understand if you look at me differently now.I do.I feel dirty.Broken.I’m a mess.I don’t think I can ever look in that mirror.”
She won’t.
Jesus.
My thumb rubs over her cheek as I draw in a shallow breath.“Yeah, Jess, I do look at you differently now.Because I’m finally admitting how much I fucking love you.”
Her mouth parts, and those blue eyes widen in surprise.
“Now, let’s go to bed.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
