“Right. I get it. Dumb question.”
Closing her eyes she shook her head. “Sorry. Sorry.”
Fuck. He liked her fiery and angry more than he did defeated and sad.
“My father gave me to him soon after I turned eighteen. Fergus was going to just . . . just keep me as a plaything. But his “advisors” told him it would be a good look to have a wife. And who better than someone he already owned?”
Her voice was bitter. Not that he blamed her. This situation was fucking nuts.
“I’m sorry you had a fuckwit of a father.”
“He owed your dad money.” She shrugged. “He’s dead now so it hardly matters. Why are you here? What do you want?”
She eyed him suspiciously and it clicked what she was worried about.
“Not that.”
Fuck. He thought he was hardened against this shit. He wasn’t a good man. He didn’t have the capacity to be a good person. But he was also trying not to be a psychopath like his father.
“I wanted to make sure you were all right, I guess.”
“I’m fine.” The words sounded automatic and she tugged at her sleeves.
Was she hurt? Was she covering up bruises?
“Does he hurt you?” Jared asked.
Fuck.
What was he doing?
Her face grew guarded. “I don’t know what you mean and I’d like you to leave.”
He held up his hands and moved slowly over to the bed, sitting. He thought that might make him seem less intimidating. But she still appeared freaked out.
Can you blame her?
“Your door wasn’t locked.”
He didn’t know why he said that but it bothered him. Anyone could get in here . . . anyone could hurt her.
And she looked like a stiff wind would knock her over.
“You expected it to be locked?” she asked. “Your father wouldn’t like that.”
No, that fucker wouldn’t.
“Do you want me to get a lock for it?” he asked as he tried to peer into the closet.
Had she been hiding in there to keep herself safe? There was no lock on the closet door either.
“A lock? That wouldn’t be permitted.”
“What about for the closet?” he asked.
She shot the closet door a concerned look, then glanced back at him warily.
“No. That wouldn’t be allowed either. It would likely just make him angry. Why do you care?”
