Page 91 of Jake's Angel

I trace her legs with my fingers, gradually moving up to her hips. Goosebumps form on her legs, making me smile. Leaningup on my elbow, I continue to caress her legs gently. Her breathing has changed, but she’s not moving. She likes this. She’s enjoying my touch as much as I’m enjoying touching her.

I have no intention of taking this any further than simply touching her. I won’t risk having her hate me for taking advantage of her while she’s in the emotional state she is.

I reach a little higher this time, catching the edge of her lacy panties with my thumb, stopping just at the edge. Something in the feel of her skin changes. I lean up further while moving the elastic up ever so slightly. Her breath hitches.

She’s awake.

There’s a mark about the size of a nickel, maybe a little bigger. At first, I think it’s just an old scar, but what would make a perfectly round circular scar? The way her body trembles tells me she’s nervous for me to know about it, whatever it is.

Removing my hand from her leg, I pull the blankets up over the both of us and pull her close. I lay back down on the pillow, thinking of all the possibilities when I feel her stir again. “I can hear you thinking,” she whispers, her voice strained like she’s been crying.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask, but she just shakes her head. “Talk to me, Angel.” I nudge. “I need you to tell me what happened? Please let me help you, baby.” She starts to pull away from me, but I don’t let her, tightening my grip on her waist a little.

“Listen, I just want to help. I don’t think the jackass you were dancing with did anything to physically hurt you. At least I’d like to hope the fucker wasn’t that stupid.” She chuckles.

“He didn’t hurt me, Jake. I freaked out.”

“Sadie was calling your name, and you didn’t respond. It’s like you weren’t there.” I wait for a beat to see if she’ll open up, but when she doesn’t, I push a little more.

“Where did you go, baby? You were physically with us, but where did you go up here?” I ask, brushing her hair away from her temple and lightly tap there.

“It hasn’t happened in a long time,” she says, and I hear her sniffle.

Shit. She’s crying. I’m an asshole for creeping on her while she’s sleeping.

“What hasn’t, Angel?” I ask hesitantly, not sure I want to hear what she has to say. Thinking she’s going to tell me about some old rich boyfriend feeling her up in her sleep or some shit. Her next words slam into my chest like a freight train and have me feeling like an asshole all at the same time.

“The flashbacks.”

What the fuck?

“I thought I was almost over them, but I guess I was wrong.” She lets out a deep sigh. With her back still snuggled to my front, but with her legs now pulled back up, making her seem so small in my arms, she starts. “It was a while ago, a few days after my birthday. I was leaving the dance studio where I worked when some men attacked me.”Holy shit.I growl rumbles deep in my chest.

A feeling of uneasiness washes over me. I know there was talk of an attack, but from what they’ve been saying, she’s never told anyone about it, so no one reallyknowswhat happened to her. I don’t take it lightly. She’s offering to share this withme.

Caleb was right. She does trust me.

I sigh in relief and rub my thumb on her stomach, making light circles while silently encouraging her to go on.

“There’s a spot in the parking lot off in the corner. It’s hidden in the dark. There're trees and bushes, but no lights, so the security cameras can’t see anything over there. I had just finished cleaning up the studio after my last class. I rarely stay late by myself, but one of the girls had gone home sick withthe flu, so I was there alone that night. Chuck wasn’t available to drive me that day for whatever reason, so I didn’t mind the extra time to myself. I was heading out to my car to go home when they grabbed me and carried me to the corner.” Her voice trembles slightly. “There were four of them. All much bigger than me.” She shudders as she speaks and I wrap my arm around her a little tighter.

“Two of them held me down and bound my arms and legs while the third one was their lookout. He never touched me, just stood nearby. But the one who …” She takes a deep breath. “The one in charge. He wore a pinky ring that bore his initials.” She stops talking for a second, as if lost in thought. My stomach is twisting in knots. In an effort to keep her from falling back into the memory too far, I kiss her hair and rub small circles on her belly with my fingers, and I don’t miss her little sigh.

“Your safe now, Angel. They can’t hurt you anymore. I’ve got you now.” I push her to go on.

She nods and laces her fingers through mine over her belly. “He took a knife to my clothes, ripping them off me, leaving me to lie naked on the cold hard ground while he grabbed and groped at me, leaving bruises everywhere he touched.” Laying here listening to her relive her trauma, I’m thinking of all the fucked-up ways I’d like to torture the son of a bitch who thought he could put his hands on such a beautiful woman.My woman.My body is shaking with rage.

“Jake?” Avery stills.

“Sorry, baby. Hearing someone could hurt you like this, I’m struggling to keep my shit together.” I take a deep breath and reign in my emotions.

“We don’t have to talk about it.”

I lean up on my elbow, grip her chin, and force her to see me. “I want you to tell me. You shouldn’t hold something like this inside. Give me your burdens, baby. I can handle it.”

Avery nods. I wipe a single tear from her cheek.

If I get my hands on this motherfucker, my brothers and I are going to make him pay. Maybe Pop will dig out some of his old school methods.

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