Page 71 of The Protection Agreement

He reaches into his pocket, takes it out, and hands it to me.

“Thank you,” I say, taking the phone and stepping out of the house. The crisp air and sun hit me like a wrecking ball. I gasp, then take a deep breath and forcefully exhale. I need to talk to Jonah; he’s my solid foundation.

I start walking. I feel eyes on me, I know Bruce is watching, but I refuse to look back. I can’t look at him. My mind questions if he would’ve ever told me had the living room not looked like a brawl happened there, but his annoying brother made sure I would know he touched me by leaving a fucking hickey on my neck. What’s most upsetting is the certainty that remembering would be impossible, no matter how hard I’d try. I embrace myself tightly, a knot of anxiety tightening as I grapple with the unease of being assaulted. My sad reality, it happened again. How could he have left me in my most vulnerable state, knowing I trusted him with my safety?

I know Ice is behind me, but I don’t look back. I want to go to the pond. What I feel right now will tarnish the sweet memory of what happened there yesterday. It all feels like ages ago since I was happy. My phone rings. I see its Bruce. I end the call with a scoff and keep walking. Ice calls out to me. I stop and turn to him. He gets closer.

“I’m upset with you as well. You left me,” I annoyingly state.

“I’m sorry, Lexi. Our emergency alert went off, and we both believed you were safe in the house with us a few feet away. It never crossed our minds that David would attempt such a thing. It won’t happen again,” he pleads.

I don’t respond. “Please, forgive Bruce. He is broken about what his brother did, and I’m glad Mr. Powell was there, because Bruce almost murdered his brother.”

I nod. He shouldn’t have left me.

“Why did you call out to me?” I ask, not really wanting to hear anything about Bruce.

He hands a phone out to me. “You can call Jonah on this phone.”

I try to take the phone, but he holds on tight. “Please, don’t leave. It will destroy him.”

I nod and snatch the phone from him. I press the call button. It rings and on the third ring, I hear him.

“Is she okay?”

I gasp. I don’t answer.

“Bruce, answer me! Is Lexi okay?!” His voice deepens; I hear fear.

“It’s me, Jonah.” My voice cracks. I stifle my cry.

“Are you okay? Did something happen? Do you need me to come and get you?” he rapidly says.

I turn around; Bruce is still standing at the window, hands in his pockets, his eyes boring into me even from that distance. I can feel his intense gaze on me. Ice is a few feet away, also looking at me. I wipe the tear. At this moment, I don’t know what I want. I’m just upset and I can’t trouble my brother.

“I’m fine,” I lie. “I just wanted to talk to you. I was missing you.” I really wish he could hold me right now.

“I miss you too, Sprinkles. Are you sure you are okay?” I hear concern in his voice.

“Yes, I’m fine. I told Bruce I needed to call you,” I answer in a controlled voice.

“You can call me anytime, Sprinkles.”

I cover my mouth so he can’t hear my cries.

“Thanks. Are you okay?”

“I’m good, reading through some information and possibly resting a bit. I fly out to Denver for a few days, but overall, I’m good.”

“Good. You do need to rest, Jonah,” I say. My brother works too much. With Dad gone, he has more on his shoulders, without even adding my situation to the mix.

“Is Bruce keeping you safe?”

“Yes,” I answer, but my heart races at that question. Is he? I look right at the window where he stands watching me. Despite the distance, I can feel him.

“Good. Alright, enjoy the weekend and call me again if you need to talk. Hopefully, we can make our usual trip for your birthday.”

“I hope so too, and I’ll call you,” I say, smiling. “Love you.”