“I…I don’t know,” Nyree said.
Emma took the undrunk mug of coffee from Nyree’s hands and set it aside.“If you don’t make a change, the beatings will get worse.If you’re honest with yourself, you know this.Ari might say he’ll change, but he won’t.I’m going to take you to my doctor and get you checked out.”
“No, I’ll heal fast.Tomorrow, I’ll be on the way to recovery,” Nyree said.
“We’re going to the doctor,” Emma stated.“We need to document your injuries.Once we’ve done that, we’ll work out a plan to keep you, your mother, and your sister safe.I don’t know how you hid your taniwha and didn’t punch back.”
Nyree opened her mouth to tell Emma it was an ingrained habit to conceal her true nature, but Manu spoke first.He rounded the corner and placed his hands on his lean hips.Power radiated from him, along with intelligence and a healthy slice of pissed.His mother, who had died under mysterious circumstances two years ago, had radiated that same vibe.
“Emma is right.She will take you to visit the tribe’s doctor.Once you return, we’ll discuss our next steps.”
“No, I need to work.I can’t lose this job,” Nyree said.
Ari would truly complain then.During the heady days of their relationship, she’d agreed to Ari’s proposal to have a joint account.It was only later that Nyree realized her contribution was much larger than Ari’s.The money mysteriously disappeared while she went through an interrogation each time she wanted to spend her wages.She’d started hoarding cash and keeping it here at the office, out of Ari’s reach.
“You’re a valuable employee,” George Taniwha, her boss and uncle, boomed.
Emma rolled her eyes and pulled a face.“Come out here instead of hovering like a bunch of old biddies.”
Heat roared through Nyree as her boss and the rest of her workmates stepped into view.She ducked her head to conceal her burning cheeks.Everyone had listened to her confession.Knew of the depths to which she’d fallen—her stupid mistakes.
Footsteps came toward her and halted.
“Nyree.”Manu’s voice contained authority even though it held gentleness too.“Look at me, sweetheart.”
Nyree swallowed hard, and it was an effort to lift her gaze to meet his.
“I will protect your mother and Hana.You have my promise.They can move into the house on my property, and I and the others will watch over them while you’re away.”
“But I—”
Manu held up a hand.“The break will do you good.It will allow you to decide your future.”
“But what about my apartment?”
“I will take care of that too.Do you want to keep it?”
“Yes.It took me ages to find a place I liked.”
“Emma, how long is the contract in South Georgia?”
“It’s for the entire summer.November to the end of February.”
“Right, I’ll find a short-term tenant for you.That way, we’ll get Ari out and keep your apartment available for when you’re ready to return home.”Manu’s intense gaze dared her to argue.
“But my stuff.”
“Emma and Jessalyn will pack your possessions while the rest of us take care of the heavier items.The house where your mother and Hana will live has three bedrooms.We can store most of your stuff there.Will that work for you?”
Nyree dipped her head a fraction, feeling as if a steamroller had flattened her before she could flee.
“Nyree?”Manu sounded insistent this time.“Do you want this?Now is the time to tell us to go away, and you’ll cope with whatever happens on your own.”
A bark of laughter emerged from her as she studied her workmates.
Emma tsked.“Nyree, you don’t have to do anything, but I’ll give you the truth now.If you continue with the status quo, the chances are the beatings will worsen.You’ve read the stories in the paper, on the telly.You’ve seen the work we’ve done with the shelter.If you don’t fight back, he’ll kill you.”
“No, it’s not that bad.”Shame suffused Nyree because the only one she was fooling was herself.It was simple to read her workmates’ thoughts.She sucked in a careful breath because she hated to become more of a statistic, and that’s what would happen if she did nothing.
