Page 19 of Leland

I turned back to see we were almost back at the shop door. I just wanted to get inside and away from the guy. Tomorrow I would be proud that I kicked his ass, but right then I just wanted to get away from him.

Leland carried me inside, set me down, shut the door behind us, and immediately picked me up. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and for the first time since I was an actual little girl, I sobbed.

“That’s it, baby. Let it out. Give it to Daddy.”

***

Leland

My heart pounded all the way into my throat. My legs felt like jelly, and my arms shook as they held Rouge close. “I’ve got you, baby. Daddy’s right here,” I soothed as I settled us into my office chair.

I rocked her for several long minutes before she spoke.

“I-I was taking the trash out a-and he just attacked me,” she sobbed into my neck.

“I know, baby. I noticed it on the security camera. Daddy ran as fast as he could.”

“I-I was so scared.”

“Oh, I know you were, but you were so brave. You kicked his ass, Little one. I don’t think he will be brave enough to try that on anyone else.”

“I- I thought...”

“What did you think, baby?”

“I thought it was David.”

My heart went from my throat all the way down to my toes. Bile filled my mouth.

“Was David...” I was unsure of how to ask the question and I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.

“H-He was the man the cult f-forced me to marry.”

“Oh, baby.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her tighter.

“I... I am s-so scared he will come to get me one d-day, just like Malachi c-came to get E-Emily.”

Her admission tore my heart in two. Of course she was fucking scared. I was such a dumbass. Emily had also been promised to an older man in the cult, but she and Rouge had escaped before the marriage had taken place. Several months ago, the man had shown up and tried to abduct Emily. He’d been a fucking idiot and done it in a club full of people that adored her. He’d been arrested and sent back to prison, but none of us had considered what fears that might have opened up for Rouge.

“Sugar, I am so sorry. So sorry. We all let you down so badly.”

“W-what?” she asked, sitting back so she could look at me.

“Fuck!” I shouted when I saw her face. I’d planned to call Elliot anyway, but looking at the blood under her nose and her swollen eye, that moved to the top of my to-do list.

“What?” she cried, fighting to get out of my lap.

Dammit, Leland.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I didn’t mean to scare you, baby. I didn’t realize you were hurt that badly.”

She shivered in my lap and buried her head back into my neck. Rubbing her back softly, I picked my phone up from my desk and texted Elliot.

911. Daddies Ink.

OMW.

He was a good man.

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