Page 34 of Protect

“Okay,” Knox says. “We brought some extra clothes—”

Jaxon shakes his head. “I brought some extra clothes.”

“Same thing,” Dimitri mutters with a sigh and Jaxon pushes himself off the dirty ground. I clinch to him, still afraid to let him go.

“How do you want to do this, sweetheart?” Jaxon smiles and tucks my hair behind my ears. “I’m more than happy to shower with—”

“No,” I say in panic. “I don’t want that. I need to…”

“We’ll stay outside the door,” Knox interjects. “He won’t get to you.”

“You promise?”

Jaxon gently rubs my back. He’s different, softer. It’s confusing. He moves with me slowly, guiding every step. My feet touch the floor, but I don’t have to put any weight down. My eyes flick to Dimitri, looking for an answer, but he looks to Knox. Knox isn’t soft. He isn’t gentle, he’s resolute. There’s nothing hesitant in his face.

“You’re safe now, Hope. Whether we’re with you or not in the bathroom,” Knox says evenly.

I just nod and let Jaxon half walk, half carry me to the bathroom. He sets me down on the toilet and keeps lightly touching me. He lifts my chin and his jaw tightens. I think I hear him bite down on a curse word, but he doesn’t ask if it hurts. He doesn’t ask what happened. He doesn’t ask me a damn thing.

Since talking at all hurts, no matter how determined I am to do exactly that, I’m thankful. He’s making it easy. Dimitri turns on the shower and looks back at me. He asks if I want it warm and when I nod, he adjusts the water, checking it. Knox lingers by the door, continually glancing back into the rest of the cabin.

Is my dad still around?

Is he going to storm in here and rip me away from them again?

Is he going to pick up where he left off in front of them just to prove he can?

“You’re freaking her out. Knock it off, Knox,” Jaxon orders before focusing back on me. “He’s not touching you again. I don’t care if he manages to get back in here. I won’t let him.”

“He has his lucky charm,” Dimitri teases.

My brow furrows, but Jaxon holds up his hand, showing me brass knuckles.

“You still have it,” I whisper.

“Why would I ever get rid of it?” he whispers back.

I don’t dare to sink back in a replay of the past. For now, I have to stay here, be aware of what happens and be safe.

“Come on,” Dimitri says and holds out his hand. “We won’t look.”

I almost scoff as the torn fabric lays on my bruised skin. Carefully, I take his bloody hand and let him lead me to the hot stream of water.

Jaxon stays close, too close, and then I realize I’m still holding onto his shirt.

“It’s okay,” Jaxon says.

The water is warm and slides across my body. Hesitantly, my hold on him fades and I focus on the comfort of the water as if it can wash all the horror away. All the hurt, all the tears.

I hear them shuffling out of the bathroom and I peel the tattered remains of my dress from my skin, tossing it to the side. The fake safety doesn’t linger. My father’s voice echoes in my mind.

He’d set up the camera, rip the curtain away, then—

“Stay!” I yell.

I regret it right away. My voice is weak and hoarse, my throat in agony, but worst of all, I’m trusting three guys who hurt me too. I shudder and wrap my arms around myself as if they’re going to do exactly what I’m worried about.

No sound greets me for a moment. Just silence and the constant pattering of the shower on the tub floor.

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