She’d fallen asleep and gotten caught in a nightmare.
And now she’d thoroughly embarrassed herself.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” North replied.
Ridiculous? How dare he call her ridiculous? She sat up and scowled at him.
“It is not ridiculous!”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I am not strong. Look at me! I’m a mess.” She glanced over at Jared guiltily.
Shit.
Had she really just mistaken him for his father? That wasn’t good.
Sure, he could be arrogant.
And he definitely liked his own way.
He was always in charge.
But he wasn’t violent or mean or sadistic. All things Fergus had been.
And more . . .
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Jared’s eyebrows rose. Then, to her shock, he crouched in front of her. North was standing to her right, leaning against a book shelf with his arms crossed over his chest.
He looked like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Well, he likely didn’t. The only thing he seemed to care about or show interest in was Jared.
And that wasn’t sadness she felt.
It wasn’t.
She didn’t want North’s attention.
“Why are you sorry?” Jared asked.
Um, wasn’t it obvious?
“For confusing you with Fergus. I didn’t mean . . . you’re nothing like him. I just got all confused because I’d been having a nightmare about . . .”
“About what?” Jared asked softly.
“About Fergus hurting me,” she replied as she wrapped her arms around herself. “And then you touched me and I woke up, but I was all confused. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“That’s what I should be saying to you,” Jared told her.
She shook her head. He couldn’t have expected that reaction when he’d gone to wake her.
“Sorry. Sorry.” She shook her head, trembling, her teeth now chattering. “See? Not strong. I’m so stupid and weak.”
Suddenly, she was lifted onto her feet. To her surprise, it was North who had grabbed her.
