Page 101 of Protecting Kelli
But now that she’d revealed herself to Jude, she knew without a doubt the man wasn’t going to let her out of his sight. He was too shocked she’d been able to stay under the radar for so long, that he hadn’t been able to find her. Knowing he would be extra vigilant—if for no other reason than so she couldn’t escape him—was a comfort.
She truly didn’t know the name of the man who’d bought her, but she knew enough to know if he got his hands on her, she would wish she was dead. Whatever his plans for her might be, they weren’t good.
“Whatdoyou know?” Jude asked, sounding exasperated as he finally stopped pacing and sat on the couch next to her, his brow furrowed and his hair mussed from him running his hand through it in agitation.
“That you’ll keep me safe,” Bree said without hesitation.
That seemed to fluster him. He stared at her for a long moment. “Damn straight I will,” he growled, sitting up straighter. “But you might not like how I go about it.”
“Go about what?”
“Keeping you safe. Just remember thatyoucame tome. You showed up at my door. I might not have been here at the time, but that doesn’t negate the fact that you came looking for help. And Iwantto help you, Bree. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since you disappeared in Vegas. Haven’t stopped worrying about you. Where you were. If you were safe.”
His words made Bree feel almost light-headed. She’d felt alone for so long, and here was the manshecouldn’t stop thinking about, saying all the right things.
“I’m not an easy man, though,” he said after a moment.
Bree snorted.
“I’m going to ask you to do things that will probably make you uncomfortable. That you might not want to do. But whatever I ask of you will be for your own good. To keep you safe. I need you to understand that.”
Bree nodded. She was tired of doing everything on her own. Of feeling alone. Vulnerable. Helpless. She needed help. That’s why she was here in the first place. “I need your help,” she said out loud. “It’s why I came to California. For some reason, I trust you, Jude Stark. When I trust very few other people in my life. I’ll do what you say. And if you can figure out the nightmare that is my life, I’ll be forever in your debt.”
“I don’t want your gratitude,” Jude said, growling again.
Bree opened her mouth to ask what hedidwant, but he talked over her.
“I’ll get you a shirt and a pair of boxers to wear to bed. We’ll get your car, wherever you’ve stashed it, and the rest of your stuff. You can use my washer and dryer to clean your clothes. We’ll also go to a store tomorrow and get you some new stuff, whatever you need.”
Bree’s head spun. He was obviously very serious. She wasn’t sure if she should be freaking out or falling to her knees at his feet. Both reactions would probably piss Jude off, so she settled for simply nodding.
“You’re tired,” he said, in a softer tone.
“Yeah,” Bree agreed.
“Shower, then bed,” he declared, standing abruptly. “I’ll be right back.” Then he left the room.
Bree was actually pretty familiar with the layout of his place, since she’d spent some time there with Kelli over the last week, and figured he was headed for his bedroom.
Jude returned, holding some clothes in his hand. “You’re sleeping in my bed,” he stated. “I’ll take the floor. I’m not risking you sneaking off in the middle of the night after you have some time to think, telling yourself that you made a mistake by coming to me for help.”
Bree could’ve reassured him that she wasn’t going to sneak off again, but it was obvious he needed some time to learn to trust her. She understood.
“I don’t want you to sleep on the floor,” she told him.
“I’ve slept in worse places. It’ll be fine,” he told her without batting an eye.
Again, Bree should’ve probably felt wary. It wasn’t every day a man basically ordered her to sleep in his bed. But she hadn’t been lying earlier when she’d told Jude thatshe trusted him. Besides, she was at the end of her rope. She literally had nowhere else to go. No one else to turn to.
Standing, she walked toward him to take the clothes, grateful to have something clean to put on…after she’d showered, of course.
But when she tried to grab them, Jude held on until she looked up and met his gaze.
“Thank you for saving Kelli,” he said gruffly. “It would’ve destroyed Flash if she’d died.”
That was all the reassurance Bree needed to solidify the fact that she’d done the right thing by coming to Riverton, and to Jude Stark. His friends were obviously important to him. And even though she could tell he was irritated with her, he’d still done what he felt was right and thanked her.
“You’re welcome,” she said softly. “For the record? What I did was stupid,” she admitted. “Getting into the car was pretty reckless. And dangerous. I could’ve been seen. He could’ve killed me. I should’ve written down his license plate number and gone to you immediately. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
