Page 82 of Entangled

But something told Cara that Elena Guzzi was not all too innocent, either.

None of them were.

Cara held the hands of the young, high-risk domestic abuse victim across from her while Jenny continued to explain what was going to happen from there on out. Melinda, at only twenty-two, had just been dealt another difficult blow in what was an already horrible time in her life.

Two weeks after the beating her husband had served down on her, and the woman was at least beginning to look better. The black and blue bruising on her face had faded to a yellow that was easy to cover. Her broken nose was no longer swollen, and she was able to open her right eye again. The busted vessels in her left eye were also healing, and no longer drew attention, as they had when nearly the entire white of the eyeball had been a bloody, ghastly red.

Melinda tried to smile when Cara offered her hands a squeeze, but it faltered at the last second. Outside appearances were deceiving, and there had never been a better example of that than a woman who had learned to hide the signs of her spouse’s abuse.

This woman had been hiding hers since she was eighteen.

“So, he got bail,” Melinda whispered.

So soft spoken.

Still afraid.

Never weak, though.

Cara repeated that sentiment to Melinda when the woman was willing to listen. She was not weak. She was brave, courageous, wonderful, and deserved beautiful things. All the beautiful things she wanted would and could be hers.

“He did get bail,” Jenny said, “and since this is his first charge on his record, we expected that. The restraining order is still in place and the police officer on the case was kind enough to alert us that he is free on bail, until the next court date.”

Melinda wet her lips, her gaze darting between the floor and the wall. “He knows where I am.”

“The restraining order is still in place, but should he come to the shelter, we have policies in place that will keep you and everyone else perfectly safe.”

“Except he doesn’t care about those kinds of things. He never has. He said he would kill me; he almost did. He’s—”

“Melinda,” Cara said softly, “take a breath. Take a moment to breathe.”

The young woman did, but Cara could plainly see it didn’t help all that much.

“This is the first time I’ve ever left him,” Melinda mumbled. “This wasn’t even the worst beating, it was just the first time someone helped. I don’t … He won’t … I’m scared.”

Jenny nodded. “I know. We consider your situation to be high-risk, which means at the moment, the shelter is currently on a level red watch.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means that because there is a risk of an altercation between you and your husband while we get things settled with the court, your divorce lawyer, and everything else, everyone here will be more alert for a problem. Until we have a reason to move you—say, he shows up here, or approaches you when you’re out with one of our escorts—then the shelter is where you will remain. So, while you are here, because of the risk level, the staff and volunteers, and even the other women currently housed here, will be on a high alert for safety.”

“So, wait and see if he tries to beat me to death again?” Melinda asked.

Cara winced. “We understand the situation and why you’re afraid of him showing up. But given this is his first actual arrest and the past years of abuse haven’t been documented officially, the courts were already unlikely to deny him bail. Trust that we will do absolutely everything to keep you, and everyone else, safe while we go through this process. And if at any single time, he gives us even a small reason to suspect he’s planning something, you will be moved with a police guard. Okay?”

Melinda agreed, but she didn’t look entirely convinced.

Cara understood that, too.

It was hard to trust others to keep you safe, when all you knew was keeping yourself alive.

“Are you good to go back to your room?” Cara asked.

“Or, supper is getting ready to be served in the kitchen, if you’re hungry,” Jenny added.

Melinda shrugged. “Food would be good.”

“Wonderful.” Jenny waited until Melinda had gone from the office and the door was closed once more, before she turned to Cara to speak. “I didn’t want to frighten her more, but the officer who alerted us to the granted bail thought we should know.”