Chapter 2
Two
Aaric
Keeping a close eye on Hannah, I head for the fridge. Without asking what she wants, I grab a small bottle of apple juice and hurry back to her, twisting the cap off as I do so.
Her hand is trembling as she takes it from me. “Thank you.” She tips it back and drinks the entire thing.
Fuck, she’s parched. I return to the fridge and fill a glass of cold water. She probably needs food, but liquids are the most important thing right now.
By the time the water is gone, there’s an urgent knock at the door. I rush over to answer it, swinging it wide.
Rebekah takes one glance at me, shifts her gaze to her sister on the couch, and runs to her across the room. “Oh my God. It’s really you. You’re here.”
Adam had his hands on his wife’s shoulders, but now they’re hanging in the air where she disappeared. He chuckles and follows her inside.
Hannah winces as she rises to her feet to wrap her arms around her sister.
I don’t miss how uncomfortable she looks.
I wonder how long she’s been walking. Once again, I note how exhausted she is.
There are bags under her eyes. Her cheeks are gaunt.
She’s underweight, probably because the baby is taking every nutrient it can and leaving her depleted.
Rebekah gasps as she releases her sister. Her gaze goes to Hannah’s belly.
Hannah cups her stomach protectively in that way all expectant mothers do. “Yeah…”
“I’ve missed you so much,” Rebekah says. “I was so sad when you disappeared. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”
Hannah frowns.
I come over to her side and take her arm. “Sit down, sunshine,” I say softly. I don’t want her to collapse. “I’m worried about you. I know you two have a lot of catching up to do and a million questions, but you need to eat something. When was the last time you ate?”
Hannah tips her head back to look at me. She’s a waif of a human being. “I had some crackers in my pocket. I’ve been nibbling.”
My brow furrows. “For how long?”
She swallows and lowers her head as though embarrassed. “A few days,” she mutters.
My jaw ticks. I’m furious and worried. Why is she alone? I don’t think I’m going to like the answer. “What sounds good? How about some canned soup? An apple?” I’m trying to think of easy things that I can get into her quickly without making her stomach protest.
“I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“Hannah,” I reprimand. “You’re family. You will never be any trouble. I’ll fix you several things while you talk to Rebekah.”
I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Why the hell do I feel so oddly protective of her? She’s not mine , I remind myself. In fact, there’s a solid chance she’s married. At the very least, she was obviously in a relationship about eight or nine months ago.
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
I help her get settled and turn toward the pantry. The cabin’s great room is a wide-open space, so I can still see and hopefully hear everything.
Rebekah sits next to her sister and takes her hand. “Why did you leave?” she repeats.
Hannah’s brow furrows. “I didn’t go willingly,” she responds. “What did Dad tell you?”
“He said you ran off in the night, probably with a boy to live in sin.”
Hannah growls and rolls her eyes. “He’s a liar. He fucking sold me to Presley Vanguard,” she barks.
I’ve just turned around with a can of chicken noodle soup in my hand, but it slips and crashes to the floor loudly. What the absolute fuck?
Rebekah gasps, her hand coming to her throat. “He sold you?” she shouts.
Adam drags the coffee table closer to the women and sits on it directly in front of them. He drops his elbows to his knees, putting himself closer to their eye level, a move that makes him appear less intimidating. It’s what I would do.
Hannah nods. “He slapped tape over my mouth in the middle of the night and dragged me out of our room while you were sleeping. That’s why I didn’t tell you I was leaving.”
“If he wasn’t already dead, I would kill him ,” Rebekah shouts.
I’m glad Rebekah feels comfortable enough to show her emotions. When she first came to Gallant Mountain two months ago, she was too timid to have voiced her opinion so loudly. She’s settling into her true self. Feisty.
“Dad is dead?” Hannah glances from her sister to Adam and then to me.
“Yes,” Adam responds. “It’s a long story, but…” He reaches out and takes Rebekah’s hand. “He was none too pleased when I married your sister, so he came here to cause trouble and ended up killing himself.”
Hannah’s jaw drops.
I can’t decide if she’s at least a tiny bit unsettled by the news, but then she sets us all straight. “Good riddance. Asshole.”
Rebekah gives her a small smile. “Yeah.”
Hannah’s eyes suddenly go wide as she looks from her sister to Adam. “Wait. Did you say you two are married?”
Rebekah beams and sets a hand on her flat stomach. “Yes, and we’re also expecting, though I’m only about a month pregnant.” She’s glowing. I’ve never seen a woman so happy to find out she’s going to have a baby in my life.
Adam is also glowing, if that’s a thing. He’s pleased as punch and even more overprotective of his wife than he was before he knocked her up. When I look at the two of them, I feel a bit nauseous and perhaps even jealous.
After picking the can of soup up from the floor, I empty the contents into a pan.
Keeping an eye on Hannah, I grab several things from the fridge and cut up apple wedges to arrange on a plate with cheese slices and crackers.
It’s not exactly the best meal, but I suspect Hannah is so hungry I could serve her just about anything. I’ll get more food in the cabin ASAP.
I think this as if I’m certain she’s going to stay here. Not just here on the property, but here in my cabin. It’s where she should stay. It’s the most logical option. Someone needs to keep an eye on her in the coming days, and I live closer to Adam and Rebekah than any of our other brothers.
The reality is, I feel drawn to this woman for reasons that make no sense, and I can’t explain. But here we are. I’ll insist she stay with me if anyone gives me grief.
“Do you want to come to the table, sunshine?” I ask as I approach. “I don’t mind if you eat here on the sofa, but it might be easier at the table.”
She tips her head back to look at me. Tears well up again. Her face is filthy.
I hold out a hand. “Come.” When she takes it, I help her stand, setting my palm on the small of her back to support her. Instead of guiding her to the table, I lead her to the hall bathroom that’s off the great room.
Without a word, I help her to the sink, stand behind her, and reach around with both hands to turn on the faucet. After squirting some liquid soap on my palm, I take both of her hands in mine and gently wash them.
Her hands are small. Her nails are very short. I suspect she’s been biting them. Her skin is rough from hard work. I don’t like it. She deserves lotion and hand massages. Whatever she’s been doing to work herself to the bone stops now. She needs to rest until her baby is born.
I reach for a washcloth on the shelf, wet it, wring it out, and bring it to her face. “Close your eyes, sunshine.”
She obeys me, sighing as I carefully wash the tears and dirt from her face. She needs a bath, but we’ll deal with that after she’s eaten. Then she needs sleep.
I’m sure it will be a while before Rebekah is done questioning her, and I won’t stop her because I want answers, too. Hopefully, Hannah can begin to relax. She’s obviously so tense and scared. I don’t blame her.
“There,” I say. “Feel better?”
“Yes. Thank you.” She turns and hugs me close.
I wrap my arms around her and hold her, rocking her a bit.
She doesn’t let go. I wonder when the last time someone held her was.
Finally, she pulls back. “I’m sorry.”
I tuck a finger under her chin and tip her face back. “Don’t be sorry. You’re safe here. Nothing is going to happen to you. Whatever you need, we’ll make sure you get it.”
She swipes at new tears. “Thank you.”
“Now, how about some food?” I gently angle her toward the door.
Hannah shuffles to the kitchen table, where her sister and Adam are already seated.
I pull out a chair and help push her up to the table. “Eat,” I demand. “You can talk as long as you keep eating.” I point toward the plate and bowl. “Do you still like apples? I remember you did as a kid.”
Her breath hitches, and she hesitates, glancing at me with wide eyes. I assume whatever she sees makes her feel less threatened because she nods and picks up an apple slice.
I probably shouldn’t have spoken so harshly, but someone needs to take care of her. She hasn’t been taking care of herself. And apparently, neither has anyone else. She looks like she’s been neglected. Did the man who bought her force himself on her and work her to the bone?
“I remember Presley Vanguard,” Rebekah says. “Isn’t he like fifty years old?”
Hannah shudders. “At least. And he acts like he’s ninety.” She picks up a piece of cheese, brings it to her lips, and takes a tentative nibble. Instantly, her eyes roll back, and she moans before shoving the square of cheddar into her mouth and practically swallowing it whole.
I sit next to her. When she reaches for another piece, I grab her hand.
She gasps and jerks her gaze to mine, trembling as though I’m going to take her food away. Someone has treated her very poorly. Was it Vanguard? I remember the old kook. I met him a few times years ago. He seemed ninety even then. It’s hard to imagine he’s only fifty.
Hannah swallows, eyes wide. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “Sunshine, you will never be food-deprived again. Never . There will always be something to eat any time you want it. But I don’t want you to eat so fast you get sick, okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
I wince. I don’t like the way she called me sir. There are lots of things I’d like her to call me, but I don’t want her to bow to me. I grip her chin again. “Take your time. Chew and swallow slowly so your stomach doesn’t get upset.”