Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Liam
Motherfucker. She looked like I gut-punched her. If she had any idea how much control I was exerting not to freak the fuck out, she’d really lose it.
I softened my voice, pleading. “We don’t know anything about this guy yet, but we know he knows where you work. Please, take off, at least until we know more.”
“I’ll take off today, but I need to go Monday. Izzy’s leaving early for her daughter’s game, and she won’t go if I’m not there.”
A small part of me was proud of that stubborn tilt of her chin as she stood up to me. The rest of me wanted to haul her over my shoulder and lock her up until she learned some self-preservation.
The next hour or so was a blur of us taking care of the practicalities. We both called out of work, and luckily one of the new guys from another crew agreed to cover my shift. Jenna packed a suitcase, but she hesitated in her closet for just a little too long.
“You good, Firefly?”
She looked at me with tears in her eyes, a pair of jeans in her hands. “I wore skirts all these years to make a point that I wasn’t scared to wear them. Does it make me a hypocrite if now that I really am scared, I want to wear pants?”
Ah shit, my heart broke for her. Now that I understood, it made sense that she was holding the jeans as gingerly as she would a loaded gun.
“Wear whatever you want. There’s nothing wrong with wearing either.
Besides,” I said, trying to lighten the mood, “I’ve never seen you in jeans.
I bet your ass will look fantastic in them. ”
That earned me a shaky smile, thank God. It could have gone bad just as easily. She tossed the jeans in her bag, and I told her to pack more clothes, anything she might want. Once I had her in my house and in my bed, I wouldn’t want to let her go.
She finished in her bedroom, and I stopped her when she started to pack up for Thor. “I have bowls and a bed and some toys.”
“When did you buy stuff for Thor?”
“After that night you were over. I wanted to make it easy for you guys to be there.”
Jenna launched herself at me. Wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my chest. Chest to chest. No space between us.
God, she felt so good like this, so right.
I wrapped my arms around her, breathed her in, and willed my cock not to fuck it up.
The asshole didn’t listen. I tried to shift my hips back, but she moved with me.
“It’s okay,” she said into my chest. “Thank you. For everything.”
This strong, brave, reckless girl was going to be the death of me. “It’s my pleasure and honor to take care of you, Firefly. Thor, too.” And I’d kill anyone who threatened her beautiful, unbreakable spirit.
I wanted to stay like this forever, but I reluctantly let go. “Keep getting ready. I want to get you out of here.”
Her head snapped up. “You think he knows where I live?”
Fuck. I didn’t mean to say that. “I don’t know.” I didn’t know. But I had my suspicions, and I sure as hell wasn’t sharing them with her.
Jenna nodded and rushed to throw more things together, and a few minutes later, she was ready to go.
I double checked the windows were locked and everything was off, then we loaded my car before taking Thor for a quick walk.
Jenna gripped my two little fingers tight, so sweet and trusting and scared.
I wanted to scoop her up and whisk her far away.
Jenna hesitated outside my car, looking toward hers. “Should I take mine?”
“No. You don’t need it right now.”
Luckily, she didn’t make me elaborate that she wouldn’t be going anywhere without me and I’d be the only one driving in case I had to lose a tail.
“I need to call Izzy,” she said once we were on our way. I listened as she gave her the most watered-down, understated version of the story. She did warn her to be alert, at least. She also promised she’d be there Monday, although as far as I was concerned, that was not a guarantee.
I waited until we were home and Jenna was settled in before I excused myself to the backyard to make my calls. If that was the story she was telling, she wouldn’t want to hear mine.
Tex, a medically retired SEAL who was just as lethal from his computer as he’d once been in the field, promised to look into it, although he said he was busy gathering intel for a mission that was going sideways and may not be able to devote much time to it for a couple of days.
I assured him we were fine and I’d keep her safe for as long as it took, even though nothing about this felt fine or safe.
Next, I texted Sledge and his wife, Beth. She was almost as powerful from behind her keyboard as Tex, and they’d both helped Dylan with his psycho ex-wife and her asshole boyfriend last year. I knew Sledge was working, but it didn’t feel right to draw his wife into this mess without him knowing.
Beth called immediately. “I’ll find him. Tell me everything you know.”
I told her what I could, then I went inside for Jenna to tell the rest. Jenna was sitting at the kitchen island staring into a steaming mug of coffee, but when I explained Beth was on the phone, she took a long, fortifying sip, and with shaking hands, calmly and clearly told her everything.
Beth asked a few clarifying questions and promised to be in touch soon, the sound of a keyboard clicking quickly in the background.
“You did great, Firefly,” I praised. “Will you be okay if I go back out for a few more calls?”
“Of course,” she said with a fake smile. I hated it, but I had to let it go. I dropped a kiss on top of her head and hurried back out. The sooner I finished these calls, the sooner I could be with her.
I called the library and spoke to Jim, the security guard. He sounded adequately troubled and like he certainly cared for Jenna, but also like he was woefully unprepared to do more than direct patrons to the restroom or politely request that they don’t eat in the library.
Then I called Ryan. He’d texted me right after our shift started, and I’d replied vaguely that I’d call when I could.
“What the hell, man? Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“It’s Jenna,” I said, my voice catching.
“What’s wrong with Jenna?” he asked, and I heard the others repeat him in the background.
“Put it on speaker.” He did, and I filled them in about her stalker, finishing it off with the fact that I might’ve seen him in the park shortly before the rape.
The guys all responded at once.
“Is Jenna okay?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“You’re not psychic, you know. Even if that was the guy, you couldn’t have known.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you need from us?”
The knot in my stomach loosened a notch. Thank God for these guys. “Jenna’s scared, but so damn strong. I’m going to sit on her ’til this fucker is caught—both of them if it’s not the same person, but my gut says it is.”
“He’s been at the library?” Dylan asked, worry creeping into his voice, and I knew he was thinking of Juliette being there.
“If Juliette or Nicky were ever there when he was, she would’ve warned them.” I was certain of it. She’d risk herself, but not her friends.
Mike, the guy filling in for me, said, “There are a few other new guys like me who’d be happy for the extra hours. We’ll be able to cover you.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Appreciate all your support. I’m gonna get back to Jenna now.”
“Let us know if you need anything,” Ethan said, and they all reiterated the sentiment.
I found Jenna curled up on the couch, arms wrapped around Thor, looking small and vulnerable.
“Firefly,” I croaked, barely able to talk past the pressure in my chest.
She looked up at me, her eyes puffy and red-rimmed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I sat beside her, Thor between us. He shot me an accusing look and moved closer to her.
I know, buddy. I’m sorry. I rested my hand over hers.
“The way he was hiding and watching didn’t sit right with me, but he didn’t do anything overtly wrong and there was nothing I could do.
I wasn’t going to leave you alone while I approached him, nor was I going to take you with me.
I didn’t see any point in worrying you when there was nothing we could do.
I had no idea it was anything more at that point.
I still don’t know if it was anything more.
I wasn’t trying to keep it from you. I just didn’t want to upset you for no reason. ”
“Because you thought I couldn’t handle it.”
“No.”
“Yes. You thought I’d freak out. Fall apart. Regress back to being scared of everyone.”
God, she was breaking my heart. “No, Firefly, not even close. It’s my job to protect, and I would’ve done the same thing no matter who I was there with—not that I’d want to be with anyone else.
Up until a few hours ago, I had no real reason to think you were in danger.
I didn’t want to burden you with my overbearing suspiciousness.
I thought I was being over the top having my friends escort you home, and it kills me that it wasn’t even close to enough.
But nothing about it—not a single thing—had to do with thinking you weren’t strong.
You’re so strong and so brave, and I’m so sorry you have to deal with this, but I have no doubt you’ll come through it stronger than ever. ”
“I don’t feel strong or brave.”
The catch in her voice tore at my heart. Thor must have felt it too because he whined and licked her face, and I was fucking jealous of the dog again.
“Can I get in on that, too?” I opened my arms, and thank God, she nudged Thor out of the way and burrowed into my side. I held onto her and pressed a kiss to her temple. She sighed and sank into me, and the tightness in my chest eased.