Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“Drink,” Rip said softly, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “As much as you can.” Then he turned his attention back to his tablet.
I twisted off the cap and took a sip. The cool water slid down my throat, momentarily washing away the metallic taste of fear. I hadn’t realized how dry my mouth had become. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice still unsteady. “For standing between us and the outside.”
He nodded, acknowledging my thanks without forcing me to engage further. The absence of expectation was so foreign I almost didn’t recognize it for what it was.
Mia stood a few feet away, watching our interaction with an expression I couldn’t quite read. She thought she knew me, thought I was a confident, strong woman. Not this trembling creature afraid of her own shadow. Whatever she saw in this moment made her expression soften slightly.
“Better?” she asked, nodding toward the water bottle in my hand.
I nodded, unable to formulate anything more coherent. The shaking in my hands had subsided to a fine tremor, but I still felt hollowed out, like my insides had been scooped away and replaced with static.
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice steadier now.
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Jade.” Mia sat close, her hand gripping mine gently.
Rip came out of his office again. “Knight said it’s safe to let everyone come and go as usual,” he said. He tucked the tablet under one arm. “We should let the others know so they don’t feel trapped.”
Mia nodded. “I can tell Hannah if you want to stay here with…” Her voice trailed off as she glanced at me.
I felt heat rise to my face. The last thing I wanted was to be treated like I needed special handling, even though my behavior had demonstrated exactly that. “I’m fine now,” I said quickly, straightening my spine with effort. “Really.” I managed to meet Rip’s gaze directly. “Thank you, guys, for helping me.”
Rip nodded once. Then, with a glance that encompassed both Mia and me, he turned and headed back to the security office.
As he walked away, I noticed Mia watching me watching him, a small furrow between her brows that smoothed away when she caught me looking. “He’s a good guy,” she said quietly. “Oktober said Knuckles brought Rip here a few months ago, but he took some time to settle into life outside. Oktober said Rip wouldn’t be here if Knuckles didn’t trust him with all our lives.”
“I feel safer at Haven than I’ve felt in a really long time,” I said. “These last weeks, if a guy is wearing a vest with the club logo on it, they get the benefit of the doubt. Everyone here has been kind and supportive. Not only are the guys not creeps, they treat us all like little sisters they need to protect. All of them.”
Mia sighed and looked away. She still held my hand and I clung, refusing to be the first to let go. “I wanted to hate you, Jade.” She spoke softly, but I heard every word, and each syllable felt like a dagger to my heart. “I wanted to keep reminding myself that you’d stabbed me in the back.” She took in a shuddering breath. “But when I saw you --” Her voice broke and she covered her mouth, taking several breaths before continuing. “When I saw you the day Ms. Thompson brought you here, I knew you had a story I didn’t know or understand.” She squeezed my hand before letting go and standing. “Give me some time, Jade. We’ll talk. I can’t promise I can forgive, but I’m going to really try because I know you’re as much a victim as I am. Maybe more.” A tear tracked down her cheek. “I just need to lick my wounds for a bit.”
“You don’t owe me forgiveness, Mia. And I’m the one who should apologize and beg forgiveness. And I will. I do. But you’re under no obligation to forgive me. I’m not sure I could if I were in your shoes. Just…” I swallowed. “Just please don’t make me leave. Not yet, Mia.”
“Oh, Jade. No. This is your home as long as you want to stay. I thought Hannah made that clear.” Mia actually pulled me to my feet to hug me. “No matter how angry or hurt I am, Jade, I’d never make you leave. I saw what he did to you. I’m sure that wasn’t the first time. No one starts out with a beating like you got.” She sighed, still hugging me fiercely. “Do you understand what I’m saying?” She made me hold her gaze so I could see the truth in her eyes.
I nodded. “Yes. Thank you, Mia.”
“Why not go take a nap? I know a panic attack can make you feel like shit afterward. At least, they do me.”