Page 4 of Cain
Chapter Two
Emma
The sound of Amy yelling jolts me from my sleep. Throwing the covers off me, I run out into the living room to find her hitting Cain with a pillow. I’m about to tell her to stop when he shoots up yelling “boo” and scaring her. Amy starts to laugh and then runs over to me, hiding behind my legs.
Cain's eyes meet mine, and I freeze. I know he said last night that he was staying, but I didn't think he actually would. I’d seen him a handful of times in the building, but we have never spoken more than a ‘hi' to each other. His eyes seem to scan my body like he's making sure everything is intact.
"Mornin'," he says as he stands up. The hat he had on last night is lying on the couch, his buzz cut is a little bit long, and his beard is a bit disheveled. I can't help but stare as he seems to be stretching after being scrunched up on my tiny couch all night. His blue eyes meet mine and it’s almost like I can't move under his gaze. "Hey, Amelia, how about some breakfast?"
"Yes! I'm like so hungry. I could eat a cow!" Amy runs over to him, jumping up and down in excitement.
“Well, I don’t have a cow, but how about a pig? I have bacon and eggs. You can even help.” He winks at her and starts walking toward the kitchen with Amy hot on his heels.
“I actually don’t think I have any of that.” I usually grocery shop on weekends so come Friday we are down to the bare bones.
“You didn’t.” Cain looks back at me and smiles. “I had it taken care of.”
What is that even supposed to mean? "Oh, I didn't realize you went out this morning already."
He pulls a kitchen chair up to the table for Emma then walks closer to me. "I didn't. I told you last night I wasn't leaving and I meant it. I had it taken care of. No big deal." His hand rubs my arm, and my skin immediately heats under his touch. "Now I'm going to make breakfast with Amelia, then after that, we are going to talk about everything. Relax until then."
He walks away from me and whispers something in Amy’s ear that makes her laugh. The two of them start cracking the eggs and getting pans out of the cabinet. Walking over to the counter I grab a cup of coffee and sit at the table, just watching.
Cain interacts with Emma like he's known her for her whole life. Looking at him, I would have never assumed he would be like this. He looks so intimidating and serious. I watch them make breakfast, enjoying a sight I never expected I'd see, at least not any time soon. When Amy walks over with the plate for me, she has such a proud smile on her face. "This looks amazing, princess, thank you."
She wiggles a finger at me, and I bend my head down to her. "Cain did most of it, but he said I could take credit."
I look at him, mouthing the words ‘thank you.’ He smiles back at me, and I swear it hits me right in my chest. We eat breakfast with easy conversation and lots of laughs. I look over at the man sitting across from me, who as of last night was a total stranger to me. For some reason, he's taken an interest in us. He slept on my couch last night, knowing I was scared. He helped me with Amy, knowing I was in no place to last night. I'm trying not to be suspicious and skeptical, but I can't help wonder what his motives are. Why would he want to help us the way he is?
"Mommy, I'm done. Can I go play?" Amy looks over at me, and I nod. "Cain, do you want to play? I have lots of extra princess dresses and crowns."
Cain chokes on the bite of food he had been chewing. “I need to talk to your mom for a little but maybe after that.”
“Okay!” She runs off toward the hallway.
I look across the table at Cain, not ready to have the conversation he wants from me. Do I owe him an explanation? He has put in so much effort, making me feel safer last night, the way he’s been with Amy. “Thank you for everything.”
"It's no problem." He grabs our dishes off the table and puts them in the sink. I move to the couch and start fidgeting with one of the throw pillows. The couch dips when Cain sits down next to me. I glance up at him and meet his eyes that feel like they can see right through me. "I know you don't know me, but you can trust me, and I can help you."
“You can’t.” I want to believe he can, that anyone could. The things this asshole has done are straight out of my nightmares.
“I need you to just trust me.” His voice sounds so sincere.
This secret has been killing me. I've wanted to let someone in, confide in someone for so long. Am I really willing to confide in a stranger, though? I look up at him, and when our eyes meet, I feel pulled to him. Like there are magnets drawing us together. "Last night was the third time. He comes on the same day every month. The first time he told me he would be back every month. He warned me I needed to make sure I was home." My hands fist the pillow as the memories start to come back. "He said if I told anyone, went to the cops, or I wasn't home he would come after Amy. He mentioned the name of the school she goes to, and that I work at. Even after the first time I was contemplating going to the cops, but the first week after I got notes from him every day. Some mentioned certain clothing I was wearing or a place I had gone that day. He made it clear he was watching and I—" A sob wracks my chest, and I can't finish the sentence.
His hands take my arms and pull me against him. I let myself sink against his chest, needing the comfort he's providing. After keeping everything in for so long, it's like I've opened up the floodgates. I let myself cry as Cain just holds me silently. His arms around me almost feel like a shield, like nothing can touch me when I'm there.
I don’t know how long passes but once my crying has slowed down I feel his arms tighten around me. I sit up some, breaking his hold and noticing that his T-shirt is now completely soaked where my face was. “I’m sorry…” my voice trails off, realizing how little I know him and how vulnerable I just let myself be.
“Don’t be. I couldn’t care less about my shirt.” His thumb swipes a stray tear from my cheek. “I am going to help you. This asshole will never lay a hand on you again.”
I shake my head. “I told you, you can’t. I won’t put Amy at risk. I’d rather deal with that monster every day than chance him coming near her.”
His fingers grip my chin to bring my gaze to his. "He won't touch her, or you ever again. I will make sure of that. I know shit seems impossible, but as long as you trust me, you'll see. This shit ends now."
I take a deep breath, trying to take in everything he is saying to me. “Why?”
A look of confusion crosses his face. “Why what?”
