Page 74 of Edged

“Hey.” He took the mug from her before she spilled her coffee and set it aside with his. “What’s bothering you?”

“I…” She swallowed. “I told you about my fear.”

“You did. And I’m humbled you shared your secret with me. Now we can deal with it.” He caressed her cheek. “Will you show me where you were stabbed?”

Kaley lifted the sweatshirt she was wearing to just below her breasts and rubbed the spot between them. There was a faint scar. It was barely noticeable, but she knew it was there.

“May I?” Anthony held his hand up.

She nodded and held her breath as his touch replaced hers. His touch was delicate and tender. “I’m so sorry you were hurt this way.” His voice was low.

“Thank you. It wasn’t your fault.”

“No, it wasn’t, but I still feel bad that it happened. Did they ever catch the guy?” He removed his hand and gave her back her coffee mug.

“Yes.” She was grateful for the warmth of the mug in her hand. “In some ways, I was lucky. The guy had a rap sheet, and he knew he was in trouble. He confessed and was sentenced to ten years in jail.”

“Good.”

Kaley stared at him.

“I like the idea that he’s locked up.”

“I get it. I’m just glad I didn’t have to go to court and testify. For a long time, I could barely stand being alone.”

“How did you cope?”

“I got therapy.” She was matter of fact about what she did. “My therapist helped a lot. She told me it could have happened to anyone, and after a while, I realized she was right.”

A knock sounded on the door. Anthony got up and crossed the room. Kaley watched his tight ass as he walked. Her breath hitched in her throat.

“Hey, Max,” he said after he opened the door.

“Here’s your freshly laundered clothing. Come up to the house for breakfast in twenty minutes.”

“Thanks.” He took the bundle of clothes from Max and shut the door.

Kaley was already on her feet. “They washed our clothes?”

“Yes and no. When I woke, you were sleeping, so I took them up to the house and asked if I could use the washer and dryer. I’d just put them in the dryer when Lara told me coffee was ready and when breakfast was.” He sat them on the bed. “Finish your coffee. Then we can go to the club bathrooms and clean up.”

She nodded. A quick brush of her teeth and hair would make her feel better, not to mention being in her own clothes. When she finished dressing, she stood there and stared at herself in one of the mirrors. She’d told Anthony what happened.

In some ways, it made her feel free—a burden had lifted off her shoulders. She wanted to let go of her fear, but she wasn’t sure she ever could completely.

* * * *

“Your family kidnapped you?” Kaley almost choked on her food at Lara’s words.

“Yep. The idiots,” Lara said.

Kaley could only stare at her.

“Your family is as bad as mine,” Crystal said. “My father tried to take me back to that darn backwater town I grew up in and make sure I understood it was God’s will.”

Jordan’s hands covered Crystal’s. “They can’t hurt you anymore,” he said softly.

“I know.” Their fingers entwined.

---