Page 73 of The Valiant Knight
“Yeah, you could say that. I never did anything right, he criticized everything. His final straw was I gained fifteen pounds, and he told me I was fat. I was never good enough, and he really didn’t love me. He loved breaking me.”
He stared at her.
That was crushing.
He couldn’t imagine.
“I’m sorry, Lass,” he said. “You’re far from fat. I know a bunch of ladies that wish they had your curves. Men like a place to put their hand, not get poked by bone.”
She snorted.
The man was sweet, and she appreciated it.
“Thank you, I think. Anyway, there were so many other issues between myself and the ex. One day, he hit me. He hit me so hard he fractured my cheekbone. That was the day I left so I didn’t end up in a morgue.”
He wanted to hug her.
But how was he supposed to do that without scaring her? He knew.
He’d ask.
“Can I touch you, or will that upset you?” he inquired.
She smiled at him.
“You can touch me, Graham. I’m not that woman anymore. I fight back. I’m comfortable around people I know who are safe. Like you, and Tony. Even the detective. When I was falling, he caught me, and I didn’t feel like I needed to run.”
Oh, quite the opposite.
Gently, Graham ran his hand up and down her back to soothe her.
“I’m sorry he hurt you. I’m sorry that he put his hands on you like that. I’m glad you got away.”
She appreciated that.
“I left the other side of the country and returned to DC, transferred offices, and became Elizabeth Blackhawk’s favorite hacker. So, it all worked out. Now, I get an amazing adventure here in Scotland, for as long as I’m here.”
When Finn accidentally bumped a bucket on the floor, they both looked that way.
Shit.
Graham covered.
“Just a goat,” Graham said. “They are crazy little menaces, and he likely just passed out too.”
She laughed.
Gabby pictured it.
“So, I’m a bad bet,” she said, “but thank you for suggesting it. I’d just fuck it up, somehow, and I don’t just sleep around. I swore I’d wait until I found someone who saw the real me. Then, I’d start trying to make connections again.”
He hugged her.
“Good plan, Gabby,” he said. “Well, if he asks you out, go. He’s a good guy, and he’d never force himself on you or hurt you. Maybe you could use a friend, or I could take you out.”
She stared at him.
“Wait for it,” he said. “I’m gay. You’re safe with me. I might judge your choice in shoes, but I won’t try to jump you.”
