Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Do something.
That’s what he was here for. To support them. Her. His own emotions didn’t come into it.
“Precious girl.”
He ignored Jack’s low warning noise as he shuffled around Ian’s legs so he could stand side-on to Maggie. Then he realized he was looming over her and kneeled instead.
Jack’s eyebrows rose.
Yes, he couldn’t remember a time he’d ever kneeled like this on a bathroom floor either.
But it didn’t matter. Maggie needed him.
“Look at me, Maggie.” He kept his voice low but firm.
“Jameson,” Ian said hesitantly. “This isn’t what she needs right now.”
“We need to know what was done to her in order to come up with the best possible care plan. We need to look after her.”
Both men were thankfully silent and Jameson turned to Maggie. At least she was looking at him.
“I know this is really hard and I’m sorry to have to do this so soon.” It would probably make her hate him more.
He had to make this right
First things first.
“They didn’t rape me.”
Jack’s body jolted as though a shot of electricity had gone through it. Jameson placed his hand on her back to steady her, then drew it away, not wanting to make things worse.
“That’s good, precious girl,” he replied, trying to keep his voice even. “Did they touch you in any way?”
“Well, obviously they had to touch me to beat the shit out of me,” she replied.
“I’m going to fucking eviscerate them. Tear their limbs from their bodies piece-by-piece,” Jack said through gritted teeth.
Maggie patted his chest. “That’s so kind.”
Jameson shared a look with Ian. That was kind? Obviously, she was still slightly out of it.
“There was a woman,” she said. “I saw her one other time in the bathroom at the hospital. By the cafeteria. When I was there getting tests. I heard one of the people at the place where they were holding me call her Nureel.”
Shit. She’d never mentioned that.
“And a man. Nureel called him Rufus. He was the one who beat me. She was in charge, though. She came to me at the photo shoot after . . . after . . .”
“After what, baby girl?” Jack asked.
“I overheard the three of you. I know I shouldn’t have been listening in.” She let out a small sob. “I would never lie or try to manipulate you. I wasn’t trying to ruin anything.”
Oh, God.
“Hush, Little girl,” Ian said firmly. “No one thinks that. You misheard Jameson.”
“I was talking about my ex, precious girl. Not you.”
“So you don’t think I’m u-unsuitable?”
“Fuck, no!” Jameson said “Maggie, you are everything. I don’t deserve you. That’s if you even want me.”
“You want me?” she asked.
“Yes, sweetheart. Why wouldn’t I want you? You’re amazing. My ex did a number on me. After we broke up, I came here to Escana to escape. But I’ve realized lately that I was letting what happened with her affect my life now. That it was keeping me from what I really wanted. To be with you. To be part of this small family.”
“A family?”
“If you’ll have me.”
“If I’ll have you?” she repeated.
Shit. He shouldn’t be having this conversation now. “We’ll talk when you’re feeling better.”
She wiped at her nose, which was adorable.
“Ian, have you got any tissues and wipes?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Ian moved to the cabinet and drew everything out.
Jameson took the tissue and held it to her nose. “Blow.”
Her eyes widened and she tried to rear back but Jack was holding her too tight.
“Uh-uh. Blow.” Jameson firmed his voice. He had no right to talk to her like that, but what she needed was care.
Ian took that moment to text someone. Likely Caleb.
She blew and he wiped her nose. “That’s a good girl.”
A small noise escaped her. One of pleasure? He grabbed the wipes and cleaned her face and hands.
She sighed happily.
“Feel better?” he asked.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, precious girl. This man, Rufus, . . . did he do anything else to you?”
She tensed. “I told you I wasn’t raped.”
“Did he touch you in other ways?” Jack rasped. He was practically vibrating with anger and fear.
“No. It seemed like he didn’t really want to hit me. She made him. Then they took photos.” A sob escaped her.
“Caleb and the cops will be here in fifteen minutes,” Ian said, running his fingers through his hair. “Do you think you can wait that long until you shower, Little girl?”
She nodded with a wince.
“Such a brave girl,” Ian told her.
“So amazing,” Jack added.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay here,” she said, her good eye closing. “I wanted to when Uncle Willy said we could move here. Wanted it so much. To be with the two of you. But I couldn’t . . .”
“Hush, baby,” Jack told her. “If you can’t be here, then we’ll go to where you are.”
“You would?” she asked, surprised.
“Of course we would,” Ian said firmly. “You are ours, Little girl.”