Page 12 of Rescuing Tobias

“I want you to feel safe tonight, not like you're alone fighting against the entire world,” he answered honestly.

“Well,” she dragged the word out, but he saw the tears shimmering in her eyes and knew she was really giving herself time to get composed rather than debating her options. Which like she’d already said, really were limited. “Until I get my purse back, I can't pay for a hotel, so that’s out. Between an empty apartment at Prey and your place, I guess I'm going to go with your place.”

Although she aimed for matter-of-fact, Tobias could sense her relief. She didn't want to be alone right now any more than he wanted her to be alone. If he could do this to help her, he’d take it as a win.

“You're sure you don’t mind?” she continued before he could get a word in.

“Wouldn't have offered if I minded.”

“I don’t have any clothes or any … anything.” On the Navy ship they’d given her some clean scrubs, but after being left in a pair of dirty scrubs for months, he could see why Isabella would be anxious for something else.

“I’m sure Becca will be bringing stuff with her, but if you want to get something on the way we can.” When she seemed to droop a little at the suggestion, he quickly added, “Or if it’s not too weird, I can loan you a T-shirt or something to wear tonight.”

“It’s not too weird for me if it’s not too weird for you. I just don’t think I can handle anything else tonight, not even something as simple as some quick shopping.”

At least she’d been honest with him about that. The best way for her to heal was to not try to hide what she was thinking or feeling. At least not hide it from herself. What he’d told her earlier was true, she was strong, but no matter how strong you were, sometimes you needed a little help.

Right now, Isabella looked like she was dead on her feet. Reaching out, he smoothed a stray curl that had tumbled free of her ponytail behind her ear then cleared his throat, embarrassed about the intimate gesture, and began guiding her forward again.

“Let’s get you to my place then. You can take a shower as long and as hot as you want, and then you can fall into bed and get some sleep.”

“Tobias?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

The whispered words hit him straight in the heart, and he wished he’d met Isabella Baker under different circumstances. Before he was injured, before she was trafficked. He also hoped he hadn't made a mistake inviting her to his place, by flaunting something he could never have in front of his own face.

March 14th

11:58 P.M.

She couldn’t seemto get out of her own head enough to settle on anything.

Not even going to bed.

Isabella was tired, well, actually, well past tired, she was utterly exhausted. The last seven months had caught up with her all at once, but every time she eyed the bed, she couldn’t seem to make herself go and climb into it.

It wasn't that it didn't look comfortable, because it did. It was nothing fancy, just a simple bed frame with a regular mattress, the sheets were medium quality and a dark gray color. The duveton top was fluffy but not quite as thick as the one from the bed on the plane. Other than the bed, the only other furniture in the room was nightstands on either side of the queen-size bed. The walls were a soothing light gray, and while there was nothing spectacular about the room, it would be the perfect place to get some much-needed rest.

So why couldn’t she?

Afraid of nightmares?

Maybe, she wasn't really sure.

Much as she liked Tobias’ little apartment, it was simply decorated, but the photos of him with his parents and the handful of keepsakes dotted about added enough touches to make it feel like a home. She was so grateful he’d suggested her staying here with him for the night, because the thought of spending it alone had been well … a lonely one.

Knowing Tobias was down the hall helped soothe her a lot. When they arrived he’d told her to go clean up, take her time, while he cooked something for them to eat. The simple pasta with a light tomato sauce was nice, and she’d managed the whole bowl after her way too long shower, but the second he showed her to her room, she’d been filled with a restlessness she couldn’t seem to overcome.

Too many months of being terrified to be vulnerable in sleep had obviously taken a toll.

With a sigh, she crept to the door of her room and eased it open. Tobias’ door was closed, and she hoped he was sleeping. If he knew she was up, he’d get up. He seemed to have taken responsibility for her, but she had no idea why. Maybe a sense of obligation since Prey had been looking for her ever since she’d been taken, and he’d been the one to find her.

In the living room her gaze restlessly roamed the space. It was a typical bachelor-type setup, a huge TV dominated theroom, with three couches grouped around it. The other half of the room was the kitchen with a small dining table.

Given how she’d grown up, traveling the world, living in small communities so far removed from the modern world, other than college, she’d spent most of her life living without all the conveniences most people were used to, so she didn't immediately gravitate toward the TV.

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