“And about him being mine. Being mine puts him in more danger.”
She nodded. She could understand that. People might use North to get to Jared.
He leaned back against the headboard with her still in his lap.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Something I shouldn’t be. But sometimes life hands you a gift and you just have to take it.”
She really didn’t understand what he was saying. “Are you going to let me leave?”
“I will.”
Something swirled around her stomach. It should have been relief. But it felt like something else.
“When?”
“When I’m certain that Zander won’t retaliate against North.”
Because North’s safety was important to him.
“And when I’m certain you’ll be safe.”
She should argue. She should tell him that of course she was safe. Instead, she decided just to give herself this moment.
Of having someone care for her who wasn’t obliged to because they were sort-of family.
“Just rest. You’ve been through a lot. Let me take care of you. For now.”
The next morningAngie sat on the bed.
She’d showered and dressed in some of the clothes that North had bought for her.
How he’d known all her sizes and what she’d like, she had no idea.
That was North, though.
The guy was an enigma. And she wasn’t certain that she would ever understand him.
Jared’s words kept playing around in her head from yesterday.
How he could help her with her Little while she was here.
She glanced over at the wardrobe and shook her head as she hugged her toys tight.
Groaning, she lay back on the bed.
What she should be doing was planning her escape. Because she was still a prisoner. Even if Jared said he’d eventually let her go. Her stomach rumbled. Was anyone going to give her breakfast?
Maybe she should attempt to climb out the window?
Getting up, she heaved it open. Okay, she’d expected it to be locked. It didn’t open that far, but she was certain it was enough for her slip through.
She hesitated. What if Jared or North caught her? What if they punished her like Fergus had . . .
Angie pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She was great at stifling bad memories. It wasn’t healthy. Her therapist had reminded her of that several times.
But, hey, it meant she could function. And right now, she couldn’t fall apart.
