“What are we going to do?” Her chin wobbles, and tears silently fall down her cheeks.
“I’m going to put out an APB. Everyone up and down this river will know Adam is here. We will catch this fucker, I promise. I’m not going to let anything happen to you Jade. As long as I’m breathing, you’ll be safe.”
I swear it. No one will ever hurt her again.
Ibelieve him. With my whole heart, I believe West will keep me safe. I don’t know what it is Adam wants with me, but I trust that West will never let him get close.
A crack of thunder booms across the sky, and rain begins to drizzle down.
Pumpkin meows and bolts for the house, and West and I follow, hand in hand.
After all these years, I finally feel free. Someone knows my story. It’s like I can finally breathe again. It took so much pain and hurt to get here, but I’m here, and I’m free.
I’m ready to tell Sarah and Wren my story. I’m done hiding.
West says he has to run back to the station but will be back quickly. As soon as he’s gone, I call Nick and fill him in on all that’s transpired today. He’s worried for me, but he can tell how much I love and trust West to protect me.
I don’t mention Ian, nor did I bring it up with West. I’m not sure how he found out my secret, but now that I’ve had a bit of time to process and not feel ambushed, I’d like to speak with him. I’m not okay with the way he went about things, but a part of me understands he was just looking out for his friend.
The wind howls outside, waves crashing against the dock and the sky a dark ominous colour as the storm above brews.Rain hits the window panes hard, the sky alight with bolts of lightning.
I send a quick text to Sarah and Wren asking them to come to West’s for dinner and then I get to work on a lasagna.
West returns quickly like he promised, and after a quick shower, he joins me in the kitchen.
“It’s sure getting bad out there.”
“Do you think it’s okay for the girls to drive in this? I invited them over.” I bite my lip.
“They should be fine. Wrenley has to come this way anyway. Does this mean you’re going to tell them everything?”
I straighten my spine with courage and swallow down the doubts. “I am.”
Pulling me into his arms, West kisses the top of my head. “I want you to know how incredibly brave and strong I think you are.”
“I’m scared,” I whisper into his chest.
“Nothing wrong with being afraid, Jade. We’re all here for you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me? I’ve been lying to you.”
“You were protecting yourself,” he says, like he understands and doesn’t blame me.
“I’m damaged and broken.” I cry, letting my tears soak his shirt.
“Hey, look at me.” West tips my chin so I’m looking up at him. “You are not damaged or broken, Jade. You are a fighter and absolutely incredible. There is no way a person who makes me so full and complete doesn’t feel it herself.”
God, this man. I don’t deserve him.
A few short hours later, lasagna fresh from the oven, the sound of the front door opening has me swallowing down nerves.
“Holy shit. It’s raining cats and dogs out there,” Sarah says, stepping into the kitchen, her hair plastered to her face and her jean jacket completely soaked through.
Wren follows behind in the same soaked state.
“Oh my goodness, follow me. I’ll get you guys some dry clothes.” I lead them upstairs and pull out a couple pairs of sweats and tees for them to change into and then meet them back downstairs.
West and I sit on the coffee table, waiting for them to come down, and when they walk into the room and see we aren’t on the couch, both their eyes rise as they hesitantly take a seat opposite us.
