A tear made its way down her face. She closed her eyes and pulled in on herself as best she could, hugging herself. It had to be night because it was freezing cold. It was the only way she had of knowing. Every time they opened the door to drop in food and water, the sun shone through, but that was the only light she ever saw. The rest of the time she lived in darkness.
She bit down on her lip to hold in her screams of fear. She bit so hard the cracks in her lips split. She licked at the blood, not wanting to wipe it away with her dirty hand and risk infection.
She laughed. Jesus, why did she care? Maybe an infection would be a good thing. Kill her off quicker.
No. No, she had to live.
She had to get out of here.
Heart pounding, breath sawing in and out of her lungs, Jenna sat up, feeling disorientated. Sweat coated her body, making her feel sticky and gross. She looked around, getting her bearings. Not the hut in Sudan. Her bedroom in Haven. She gulped the water down. She always woke up so thirsty from these dreams. She didn’t know if it was a trick of her brain, her memory making her think she was dehydrated, or whether she did something in her sleep that made her mouth so dry.
She used to think it was the screaming. For those first couple of weeks, she’d woken up night after night screaming and crying. Her mother couldn’t take it. She’d end up in hysterics as well, and her poor dad would have two crazy women to calm down.
Her dad.
She set the glass back down on the bedside table and pulled her legs up against her chest, wrapping her arms around them, hugging herself. She guessed all this talk of her kidnapping today had brought on the nightmare. At least she hadn’t woken anyone else. How humiliating would that have been? No doubt her screams would have brought Travis and Curt rushing into her bedroom. Then she’d be left explaining what the hell was going on, that she was still so messed up she had nightmares, panic attacks, and she couldn’t sleep without the light on.
She was better. A lot better. For a while, she’d wondered if she’d ever be able to live on her own again, but here she was not only living alone but in a town where she’d known no one when she moved here. She’d made friends, she was taking self-defense lessons, and she was getting better.
But sometimes something would remind her of that time, would bring it crashing back, and she’d suffer flashbacks and nightmares.
She took a deep, shuddering breath. She felt chilled now, the sweat drying on her skin. She laid down and pulled the blankets tighter around her, even though she knew it would be nearly impossible for her to get back to sleep.
At least she hadn’t dreamed about the attack on the village. That’s what most of her nightmares were about. She’d hear Alana beg over and over for her life and she’d wake up in a panic, barely able to breathe. It would take her hours to recover from that.
She yawned. Maybe she would go back to sleep tonight. She was safe. She was in her little house. Curt was here.
Christ. She couldn’t believe he was here. She knew he thought she needed help and protection, but she could hire someone. But could she trust them as much as she did Curt?
It was painful to see him. She was still embarrassed. Her anger had long since faded. All she had now was sorrow that she’d driven away someone she cared about so much by her foolish behavior. Of course, he didn’t need to be such a jerk about it all. She understood the word no.
She sighed and rolled over. Worst of all was that as soon as she’d seen him, her body had sat up and taken notice in a way it hadn’t done in a long time. She never reacted to other men the way she did to Curt. With lust, desire, and love.
Yep, it really sucked to be in love with someone who didn’t feel the same. It sucked big time.
Chapter Ten
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Jenna gasped as she crept past the couch, where she thought Curt was sleeping. She’d waited until it reached five a.m., before finally getting up and dressed in her exercise gear. If she couldn’t sleep, then she might as well be doing something productive. Normally, her poison of choice when stressed was to cook, but since she didn’t want to wake her houseguests, she’d decided to go for a run. Well, it would be more of a walk given how stiff she felt this morning. But moving around should take care of her tight muscles.
She stared at Curt’s firm chest as he stood. Muscles rippled beneath his tight, tanned skin. Damn he was perfect. Wide-shouldered, abs that wouldn’t quit, and a fine trail of hair that led down to . . . Oh, fuck.
“I’m . . . uh . . .”
“Jenna, are you okay? Has something happened?”
“I’m fine.” She pulled herself together. “I’m going for a run.”
“By yourself? I don’t think so.”
She sighed. She really didn’t have the energy to argue with him. “Fine, I’ll wait while you get ready.”
“What?” He sounded surprised. She guessed he’d expected her to put up a fight. But she was all out of fight right now.
“I’ll do some stretches outside while you change.”
“You’ll do your stretches in here, I’ll use the bathroom to get changed.” He studied her. “You shouldn’t be running.”
“I feel fine. Just a bit stiff. Although it’s going to be more of a walk than a run. Hurry up. I have to get back and ready for work.” She actually had plenty of time as she didn’t start until ten today, but the more time she stood here, the harder it was going to be to tear her eyes off him. Combine that muscular chest with his sleep-tousled hair and the stubble on his cheeks and chin, and she was in serious trouble. Sexy Curt overload.
Ten minutes later, they set out. The sun was starting to rise as they started along the road.
“Sorry if I woke you,” she said, needing to break the silence.
“I wasn’t asleep.” He kept his gaze on their surroundings, not looking at her.
“Oh, couch not too comfortable?”
“It’s fine.”
Great. So, he wasn’t much of a conversationalist in the morning. He was probably a night owl. Ick.
“Is this something you do often?”
“Huh?” she asked, confused.
“Go for a walk on your own in the dark?”
“It’s hardly dark. But, yeah, I go for runs in the mornings when I can.”
“You should wait until it’s lighter and go with a friend.”
“I’ll take that under advisement, Dad.”
He gave her a funny look but then turned away.
“Have I done something to annoy you?” she asked.
“No. Why?”
“Because you don’t even want to look at me.”
He glanced down at her, looking startled. “It’s not that. I’m keeping watch.”
“For what? Flying saucers?”
“An attack.”
She gulped then forced herself to calm down. No one was going to attack. He was being overly cautious. “Do you really expect one, or is it just force of habit?”
He glanced down at her again, a slight frown on his face. “Force of habit, mainly. But I’m here to protect you.”
And she had no doubt he’d step between her and danger without a second thought. It made her feel nervous. She didn’t want anything to happen to him because of her. Just the thought made her feel ill. She realized that while she was normally cautious, she was going to need to be even more so to protect them both.
“I don’t usually go running this early. I wait until around eight on mornings when I start late. And my friend Melody generally comes with me.”
“Good. You know it won’t take long before someone figures out where you are. Someone could come looking for you here.”
“I’m sure it won’t make any difference to wait a day or two before heading to Dallas.” Or three or four.
He clenched his jaw. “Don’t you want to see your mother?”
She sighed. “I love my mother, but she and I have never really gotten along that well. She’s better off with
Aunt Mary. She’ll look after her. Give her all the attention she needs.”
She turned and walked off. She just wasn’t ready to leave the safety of this place. Haven had healed her. Taught her she was stronger than she’d thought, and she was worried all that strength would disappear if she left.
Maybe it was stupid, but she needed a bit more time.
Reaching out, he grabbed hold of her forearm and turned her. “You think your precious town will still be happy once you bring trouble to their door? Because that’s what’s going to happen if you stay.”
They both heard footsteps approach, and, turning, she saw Saxon jogging up to them. Damn the man, he even looked sexy when he was running.
When she ran she looked like a sweaty beet.
“Everything okay here?” He gave Curt a suspicious look, staring pointedly down to where he held Jenna.
“Everything’s fine,” she told him, forcing a smile as she extricated herself from Curt’s hold. His words sat like a lump of lead in her belly.
Saxon looked Curt up and down. “You’re still here.”
“I’m staying with Jenna.”
“Why?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Curt,” she said admonishingly. She understood that he didn’t like it here, but it didn’t mean he had to antagonize everyone who lived here. They were her friends. Although she admitted Saxon wasn’t acting much better.
“Curt was married to my cousin, remember? He came to tell me something about my family and he’s decided he likes it here so much he’s sticking around for a few days.”
“You’re a terrible liar, pet,” Saxon told her.
Curt stiffened, and she saw him open his mouth. God, the last thing she needed was for him to get into another argument. She reached out and grabbed his wrist, squeezing.
“It’s personal stuff I’m not ready to talk about yet, all right?”
Saxon’s gaze narrowed, and a small shiver ran up her spine. She knew he wanted to press her for more, and he would have if Curt hadn’t been there.
Finally, Saxon nodded. “Melody isn’t joining you today?”
“No, it’s her birthday, and she wanted to sleep in.”
“Ah, yes. I believe the celebration is tomorrow?”
“Yep.”
“Should you even be out running today considering you were injured yesterday? I’d think you’d be home resting.” He gave Curt a look as though blaming him.
Jenna sighed. Dealing with a bunch of Alpha males could certainly be trying at times. She tried to hold onto her patience, knowing they only acted this way because they cared. She wasn’t used to having people fuss and worry over her. For most of her life she’d been raised by Nancy, her nanny. She knew her parents loved her, and her father tried to be there for her. But he worked a lot, and her mother was so busy with her charities and social life she’d most of her time with Nancy.
When she’d hit twelve, her mother had dismissed Nancy, saying she didn’t need a nanny anymore, and Jenna had been on her own. It had been tough being a teenager without anyone to talk to. She’d had some friends, of course. But teenage girls didn’t always make the best companions. Sometimes they were your best friend, then your worst enemy. Plus, Jenna had always been a bit of a tomboy. She’d never quite fit in.
It had taken her a while to get used to the way things worked around here, but once she had, she’d discovered a place where she belonged.
And now, when she needed them most, she had to leave. It sucked. And, like a toddler, she wanted to stomp her foot and scream no.
“We’re out for a walk not a run. Jenna needed to stretch her muscles. Besides, I’m pretty certain I would have had to tie her up to stop her.”
“Hmm, that has possibilities.” Saxon gave her a dark look that made her shiver.
“We need to go,” Curt said, tugging at her hand.
She gave him an exasperated look but nodded.
Saxon took her other hand, giving it a squeeze. “If you need any help, Jenna, you know where I am.”
“Thanks,” she told him. He nodded and ran off.
“I don’t trust that guy.”
“You don’t trust anyone,” she told him dryly. “Saxon’s a good guy.” A bit scary, especially when he was in the dungeon.
“Who name’s a club after themselves?”
“Really? That’s the reason you don’t like him?”
“He’s too possessive of you. I know you don’t understand what sort of man he is, but I do. You should stay away from him.”
“Like you said earlier, Curt. You’re not my big brother. Butt out. I’m making pancakes for breakfast. If you want any, I suggest you stop trying to run my life and remain quiet for the rest of our walk, okay?”
***
Her appetite quickly disappeared as she watched the end of the news story about her father’s arrest.
“They make him sound guilty.”
She looked over at Curt then Travis as they sat around her small dining table eating pancakes. The dining area and den were one long, narrow room. She’d turned the television on so they could see it from the table.
She stood and grabbed her half-full plate, chucking the remains in the garbage can. How could this be happening? This was crazy.
There was silence from the table, then Travis cleared his throat. “The news always sensationalizes things, you know that.”
She nodded. Curt was silent.
“Curt, you got anything to add?” Travis prompted.
She looked over at him. She could really use a few positive words from him right now. She needed to hear that everything was going to be okay. That her dad hadn’t done this. That he hadn’t put her in danger. That he hadn’t sold weapons to terrorist groups.
“I’m going to work with you today.”
Not quite the pep talk she’d been hoping for. “What?”
“That wasn’t exactly what I meant,” Travis said dryly. “Any more pancakes?”
He’d already had two helpings.
“Sure, I’ll get you some.”
“He can get his own,” Curt said with a scowl. “And he can do the dishes since you’re going to work.”
“Curt, you have the worst manners. That’s no way to speak to a guest.”
Travis winked at her. “That’s okay, honey. For breakfast like this each day I’ll happily do whatever chores need doing.”
She smiled at him then turned to Curt. “You can’t come into the exam room with me. My patients expect privacy. And confidentiality.”
He looked irritated, then he nodded. “Fine, if you’re still determined to go in—”
“I am.” She needed some normalcy. Something to take her mind off everything. At least that news report hadn’t mentioned her. It gave her a bit more time before people found out what her father had been accused of.
“Then I’ll stay in the waiting room.”
“Don’t you think that’s overkill? I wasn’t even mentioned on that news clip. People have no idea who I am around here, and, even if they did, I can’t see anyone here trying to hurt me.”
“You never know what people might do. I’m coming with you, or you don’t go.”
She scowled at him, but he just crossed his arms over his chest, clearly not willing to bend.
Stubborn, arrogant male.
“We leave in twenty minutes,” she told him. “I have errands to run in town first.”
As she came down the stairs fifteen minutes later, feeling calmer and more in control of her temper, a vehicle pulled up outside. Travis, who’d been sitting on the sofa with his laptop out, got up and moved to look out the window. She noticed he stood to the side. Habit? Had to be.
“Sheriff just pulled up.”
“Jake? Wonder what he wants.”
Travis opened the door.
She pushed past Travis with a smile. “Hey, Jake. Want to come in? Want some coffee? I’ve even got some pancakes left over.”
“What? I tho
ught you said they were all gone?” Travis complained.
She stared down at his stomach pointedly. “You ate three servings. Any more and I’ll have to roll you out of here.”
“You calling me fat, woman?” he grumbled.
There wasn’t an inch of fat on him.
“I’ll take the coffee,” Jake said with a nod, walking inside. The sheriff didn’t smile much. It wasn’t in his nature. He and Curt had that in common. Although she remembered Curt smiling a lot when she was younger. But perhaps she was just remembering him through the eyes of a child. Maybe he’d always been this serious and intense.
“What can I do for you, Jake?” she asked.
“Actually, I called and asked him to come over,” Travis said. “If we’re all staying a bit longer he’ll need to know what’s going on.”
Oh, right.
They spent the next few minutes bringing Jake up to speed. Feeling agitated, she got up to refill everyone’s coffee. After she put the coffee pot back and moved to the table, Curt grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her close to him. Warmth filled her.
“That’s why the two of you came here? To tell Jenna?”
“And to protect her,” Curt said.
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “You think there’s danger?”
“A lot of people are going to be upset when the news gets out,” Travis said. “Shareholders, employees, people who will be mad over Jenna’s dad’s possible guilt.”
“Any reason to think she’s in danger from this British guy?” Jake asked.
Curt shook his head. “It’s unlikely, but until we know where things stand it’s best to be careful.”
What if the worst was true? What if he was guilty?
“I’m sure Curt and Travis are overreacting. I don’t think I’m in any real danger.”
“Let’s hope they are,” Jake said standing and putting his empty coffee mug down. “But it’s best to be prepared. When do you leave for Dallas?”
“In a day or two,” Curt said, giving her a look.
“I don’t want to bring trouble here,” she said, remembering Curt’s earlier warning.
To Save Sir (Doms of Decadence Book 7) Page 13
