Yeah, I figured that.
“I’ve got you.”I wrap her up in the blanket and pull her onto my lap, holding her so tight I almost break her in two.
One of the officers walks in and crouches down in front of her.“Ms.Rogers?”
Jessie nods.
“Can you tell us what happened?Did that man assault you.”
“He, he, he...he kidnapped me.Brought me back here and forced me to do...oh god, he’s raped me before.”She faceplants my chest.“I’m sorry, Liam.”
My eyes widen, and I meet the cop's stare.
“Sorry?Fuck, Jess.Don’t say sorry,” I cry.
The cop shakes his head, and I wish I could read his mind.
Ryder joins us.
“Jess,” he says, crouching as the cop joins the other officer.“Hey, we found you, girl.You had the whole BHS team looking for you.”
She glances up at Ryder then at me.“How?How did you find me?”
“It’s what we do, baby.”I kiss her forehead.
I don’t care anymore.I don’t care who knows, who sees...it’s pretty damn obvious to anyone who's been involved in the past few hours that I am in love with this woman.
Including me.
Finally.
Jessie begins to tremble violently, and I hold her tighter.That’s when I become aware of the strong scent coming from her.It’s something I recognize, a foul-smelling moisturizer.Glancing around, I notice a bottle on the table and stare back at her.
“He gave me a bath.”She gags.“Then put that shit on me.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Ryder, who is wearing gloves, picks it up and hands it to the cop, giving him context.
“Sick fuck.”The cop shakes his head.
“Take me out of here.Please, Lim,” she pleads, her big blue eyes looking tortured.
“Take her home.We have your details and will get her statement later,” the first cop tells me.“We’ll work the crime scene and take this asshole down to the station.”
I nod, glance around for her clothes, and Ryder picks them up and opens the bathroom door.Lifting Jessie, I carry her in there, grabbing the outfit on my way in.
“I’ll meet you out back in the SUV,” Ryder says as the door closes.
When Jessie is dressed, I take her face.
“You’re going to be okay, Jess.Trust me, baby.We’re going to get you all the help you need.”
“Just get me out of here.”She grips my shirt, still shaken despite now being safe.“Get me out of here.”
I take her hand, and we walk through the hotel room straight to the door.I nod at the cops and am just about to lead her out when Jessie stops and turns.
“I hope you burn in hell, you piece of shit.”
