Page 37 of Reins

None of it is true.

He’s been a victim of circumstance…like me.

Except now it’ll change. He can go back to his family. They’ll love him again, accept him.

My knees rise to my chest as the reality starts to settle in.

I don’t have anyone. He’s the only person who has ever shown me any kindness.

The rest of the world is scary, not him.

I won’t ever tell him, but my favorite part was the moment when he covered my hand. It felt like he needed me. Almost as if for a brief second he was thankful I was there. I’ve never had that before, maybe won’t again.

He frowns watching me and his fingers twitch. “It’s late. We can figure out more tomorrow.”

Then he gets up more slowly and moves past me to the back room before reappearing a moment later with a folded blanket and pillow.

“The sheets are fresh. I’ll take the couch.” Dropping his bedding on the faded blue cushion, he picks up his beer and finishes the last swallow.

I’m not sure what to do. All I have with me is the clothes on my back. Not even a toothbrush.

After he drops his empty bottle in the garbage, he pauses and tilts his head when he sees me still frozen in a ball on the chair.

“Rosalyn—” His voice drops into a gentle croon. “You’re safe here. I’m locking the door, and there’s another on the inside of the bedroom. No one will hurt you.” As if to reinforce his words, he latches the deadbolt on the entrance and holds up his palms.

The last thing I want to do is ask him for anything.

My chin doesn’t listen and starts to tremble as the sting of tears makes me blink rapidly. “I, um.” Chewing on my lip doesn’t help.

Neither does fidgeting with the seam of my jeans.

His arms lower as he fixates on my mouth. “Tell me. Own what you want.” There’s an undercurrent of command in his tone that urges me to finally blurt out what I haven’t been able to.

“I don’t have anything,” I whimper my admission, avoiding looking at him.

A tiny gap appears between his lips before they clamp shut and thin. “Fuck, I didn’t even think—” Then he strides past me to the back room again.

Is he mad? I’m a burden, just like John said I am.

Burying my face into my knees, I fight the urge to break into full sobs.

Then his hand brushes my shoulder and I startle.

“Sorry.” He frowns, holding out a plastic wrapped toothbrush with a tiny tube of minty paste. “I ripped you away from your house and then got so distracted I forgot that you don’t already live here.” His little crooked grin makes a tiny ball of heat grow in my belly. “I set out a t-shirt and a pair of sweats.”

The smile slips as he glances down my body. “You’re gonna swim in ‘em, but they’re clean and dry.”

“Thank you,” I stammer, taking the toiletries from his hand.

“Tomorrow we’ll go down and pick you up some basics.” He sits heavily on the couch, his leg sticking out in front of him. With a sigh, he threads his fingers behind his head and leans back. “It’ll be fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone to buy Christmas presents for.” His cheek lifts again, making the warmth spread into my chest.

“You don’t have to buy me anything. I have all the stuff at my house. I just need to go back.” I’m a professional at packing. For years I’ve dreamed of escaping from my brothers.

But Cade’s brows furrow. “It ain’t safe now, Ros. They’ll be angry you left.”

What’s worse? Facing my family, or asking Cade for help?

“It’s just a few things. Like my ID.” And my photo album. That’s all I have to remember my sister. “Besides, I don’t think they’ll be there tomorrow since it’s Christmas Eve.”