Page 37 of Unbound

I nod, sniffling as he shuts the door and calmly walks back toward the motel like it’s just a casual weekend. I click the lock button before dissolving into a puddle of tears and shame.

After ten minutes, I’ve finally stopped crying. There’s a bottle of water in the console, and I suddenly realize how thirsty I am. I chug half of it and release a slow exhale.

I watch the motel room door open. Sterling steps out. When he’s halfway to me, my eyes widen as I notice the blood spatters on his T-shirt. I click the unlock button when he gets to the truck. He opens the driver’s door and climbs in, slowly exhaling. His eyes are closed, like he’s trying to regain control of himself.

He grips the wheel tightly before removing one hand and shifting into drive. He slowly pulls onto the street and drives a block away.

Are we leaving Duke here?

He pulls into a gas station parking lot and does a full U-turn before heading back toward the motel. My hands are shaking. We drive past the motel again and another block down the street before he pulls over and idles by the curb.

He glances up at me in the rearview mirror. We hold each other’s gaze for a solid minute. His dark eyes are swirling with so many unspoken questions. I somehow know he’s wondering if I’m okay, but we both know the answer is no.

We jolt in unison when someone pulls on the passenger door handle. He turns and sees his brother standing there. He unlocks it, and Duke climbs in.

We drive back to Sterling’s house in silence. I want to ask what happened, but I’m almost afraid to.

I know I’m completely safe with the Redford brothers. I also know they’re ruthless. I’ve heard them talk about murder like it’s a Sunday potluck.

Now that I’m one of their wives … that must mean they’re ruthless when it comes to protecting me. I know it should scare me that Sterling’s knuckles have blood caked on them. I know it should scare me that he was able to find me in less than half an hour when I literally disappeared from a sidewalk in his neighborhood.

For some reason, I’m not afraid at all.

As we pull up to the house, Sterling opens my door and grips my hand tightly. He leads me inside and takes me to the bathroom.

He removes his shirt and undresses me gently. My throat feels sore as he takes his time and silently bathes my body. I watch him dry me off and wrap me up in a towel before he tells me to sit down on the toilet lid.

He removes his pants and showers off quickly. He takes me into the room and finds his USMC sweatshirt for me to wear before getting himself dressed.

Once we’re both fully clothed, he stands in front of me, tilting my head from side to side, studying my neck. Michael must’ve left a few marks.

I grab his arm when I see the storm returning to his eyes. “Hey.”

I cup the side of his jaw. He shuts his eyes. A tear escapes the corner, wetting my thumb.

“Thank you for saving me,” I whisper.

He dips his head, pressing his forehead to mine.

“He will never touch you again.” His voice is a low, desperate promise.

“I know.”

“Come on. I need to feed you.”

He interlaces our fingers and pulls me into the kitchen.

He heats up some fried chicken and mashed potatoes with white gravy and puts it in front of me on the bar.

A few minutes later, Duke joins us, his hair wet from the shower. He’s changed into a clean gray T-shirt and black shorts.

“I’m starving. We should watch a movie. Have you seen Avatar, Eden?”

I shake my head, biting into a crispy piece of chicken.

“You’re gonna love it.”

I finish eating with Sterling standing across from me like he can’t physically force himself to be more than two feet away from me. Duke pulls the movie up on the screen and starts playing it once Sterling and I join him on the sofa.