I mean every goddamn word.
Letting out a cry, she falls against my chest, and I wrap her in my arms, saying a prayer of thanks that she’s trusting me.At least a little bit.
I run my hand over her hair, shushing her, giving her my strength.
Those motherfuckers.Whoever they are, they are dead.
Trembling, Jessie’s sobs soften, and I lift her face.
“Give me a name.”
“I can’t,” she whispers.
“Did they rape you?”
Jessie nods.
“Two of them?”
Another nod.
Fury blasts through me, and my body tenses, preparing for a battle unavailable to me in the moment.I tug her against my chest again so she can’t see my expression.The one showing my own pain and grief.
Jesus, it can’t have happened long ago if those bruises are any indication and I had my goddam mouth on her.
Why didn’t she stop me?
Every victim reacts differently.I know this from my military training.Plus, I’m not a stranger.I’m a man she has known her entire life.A man she trusts and desires.
She shouldn’t trust me.
I was lying to her.
I’ve also hurt her because I lost my mind over Noah and decided to exert my dominance over her body.Claiming it as mine.
I have no damn right.
Perhaps it would have been okay to do if she hadn’t been raped recently and I intended to make her mine.
I don’t.
I can’t.
“Please don’t tell anyone,” Jessie says softly, glancing up with pleading eyes.
“We need to file a complaint.I’ll fly back to Texas with you, take some time off.”I run my knuckles across her wet cheeks.
“No, no.I don’t want to go back.”
“Jess,”
“No, Liam.I...”She trails off, then looks me dead in the eye.“I came here because I feel safe with you.Please don’t make me go back.”
Me?
Not Jayden?
Shit.
