“Once I was there…working…an inmate caught me without warning.” She drew in a shaky breath. “And he jumped me.”

Branson’s fingers tightened on the wheel as Nevaeh continued the story he’d requested to listen to however nearly didn’t need to now.

“The inmate attacked me. Just about went loopy. I couldn’t…” Her voice choked. “I couldn’t do something however hope I’d be rescued.”

Branson strangled the wheel as if it have been the monster’s neck. His creativeness crammed in particulars she didn’t give. He braced himself to listen to extra.

However she stayed silent, turning her head away from him towards the passenger window as they drove via the opulent residential neighborhood.

“I’m sorry, Nevaeh.” The phrases have been insufficient. However he needed to say them, needed to attempt to categorical a fraction of the grief and anger knotting inside his chest.

Resolve hardened his intestine as he gritted his enamel. He would by no means let something like that occur to her once more. Not on his watch.

“I’m okay now.”

However she wasn’t. Probably not. She nonetheless had PTSD—fears that saved her captive. He’d seen the proof of that. Particularly round him once they’d first met. His throat tightened as he realized the issue. “Am I…like the person who…”

She turned her head towards him, the load of her darkish gaze falling on his face. “No. You’re not.”

A smidgen of reduction loosened the strain in his abdomen.

“The inmate was large and muscular. So sturdy.” She glanced down at her fingers in her lap, fingers that twisted one another.

His intestine mimicked the movement. This was stressing her out. Ought to he change the topic?

“Males who’re the identical—constructed the identical, I imply—can…make me nervous.”

In order that was it. He was an identical dimension and physique as her attacker. Nice. No marvel she’d been hesitant, even downright fearful round him earlier than. Particularly when he obtained too shut. “I’m so sorry. I had no thought.”

“I do know.” She met his gaze as he regarded over. “It’s not you. I do know you now. You’re nothing like him.”

Thank the Lord she realized that now. A lump lodged in Branson’s throat as her mouth turned up barely on the corners. He nodded and directed his gaze again to the highway.

Raindrops gathered on the windshield, and he clicked on the wipers.

One other query burned on the tip of his tongue. He needed to know. Needed to be ready. “Is he in jail now?”

“He obtained out seven weeks in the past.”

His abdomen clenched. Not the reply he’d hoped to listen to.

“Do you suppose he’d come after you once more?” His voice was tight as he locked his gaze on her.

She glanced at him. A flicker of worry sparked in her eyes.

He needed to examine the highway briefly, however he shortly met her eyes once more, attempting to convey what he felt with solely a glance. That he’d shield her if that monster ever tried something once more. That the man had higher not if he valued his life. That nobody may damage her on Branson’s watch.

The worry in her brown orbs dimmed as they softened. Message obtained.

He reluctantly broke eye contact to observe the highway and surrounding visitors.

“The choose gave him a lifetime restraining order with the situation he’ll return to jail if he comes close to me. He’d have rather a lot to lose if he tried something.”

That helped. However it wasn’t sufficient to sluggish the frenzy of protectiveness that pumped via his veins. “Is he the ‘different chance’ you requested Cora about on the Phoenix Ok-9 assembly this morning?”

“Yeah. Phoenix or Cora—I’m undecided which—tracked him to L.A., the place he’s speculated to be engaged on a inventory automotive pit crew.”

“Purported to?”

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