“Yes. Really. I’m not letting some jerk get away with trying to kill you. Plus he burned down my home. He has to be stopped.”
Tears filled her eyes and he couldn’t stand by. He moved to her and pulled her into a hug. She felt good in his arms. She fit well against him with her head tucked right under his chin.
Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. It was like the weight of the world had been lifted from her. Her fingers clutched his shirt, and he could feel the tears soaking him. He would have to change his shirt, but he didn’t mind.
He rubbed her back, hoping to sooth her. She had been through a lot since he’d met her. This Grayson guy was bad news, and he hoped he could give her some peace.
Blakely hated that she was making a mess of Jump’s shirt. He probably would toss her out for being so emotional. She’d done a good job holding things together until now. This was the first real breakdown she’d had in a long time.
She tried to get it together before she stepped back, but gathering her emotions proved difficult. Her life had been difficult, filled with pain and suffering. When she’d grown older, manipulation had been used when they realized pain wasn’t enough of a motivation to keep her in line.
After escaping, she’d been surviving, not really living. She had only spent a small amount of the money, because she honestly wasn’t sure how she would ever get more money.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Like really, don’t apologize for this. You did nothing wrong.”
A bark of laughter escaped her lips. “They’ll tell you a different story if they ever talk to you.”
Jump shook his head. “I wouldn’t believe them. Besides, he tried to kill a bunch of people by burning down our apartment building.”
She let go a heavy sigh. “I lost everything. Not that I had much.”
“We can help you fix that,” T said.
“About that store. I’d like to get some clothes. I don’t need much.”
“We’ll get you set up.” Jump glanced at his phone, then back at her. “In fact, one of the other wives is going to drop off some clothes for you.”
“She doesn’t know my size.”
“I told her what size you wore.”
“What?” How had he known what size she wore. She didn’t always get it right. “How did you know my size?”
“You’re size eight for most stuff. Some things you wear a medium other stuff you wear a small. Am I right?”
She stared at him in wonder. “Yeah, you got it right.”
“Good. Willa will be here in a bit. She lives a few blocks away. I think Pen is coming with her, but I’m not sure.”
Blakely tried not to be too surprised, but he’d thrown her for a loop. How had he guessed her size correctly, and he’d paid enough attention to know she needed fresh clothes?
“I’m not used to people being this nice.”
“Hopefully it will be something you get used to.”
There had been times after she’d left the cult that she wondered if she’d messed up by leaving. Many people she met after leaving had been awful. She’d learned not to trust and to keep to herself. Now these men wanted to help her.
Trusting people was tough. But Jump was different. Maybe things were looking up for her, or maybe she was stepping into a huge trap that would make her life that much more difficult.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Grayson winced as he straightened his arm. The cloth dragging over his raw flesh hurt like a bitch. Setting the fire proved to be a stupid move. Anger clawed inside, determined to be released. Going back to her place had seemed like a rational thing. He would force her to give him the money. She would have to obey him because he was her leader. She should welcome his control.
Her not being inside the apartment had set off a storm inside. How could he get the money if she wasn’t there? Of course he’d looked for the money. Finding no evidence of where she’d put it, he’d done the only thing that made sense. Maybe dragging her mattress up the stairs and lighting it on fire had been short-sighted and led to his current discomfort. But that money was his.
Once he had his hands on her again, he would put an end to her childish fit. She would marry him, and he would have control over the money. It had to be thousands of dollars that he could use to do whatever he wanted.
