I quickly pick up my phone to check the security feed again, and see Jenna lock her door before she climbs back into bed, pulling the covers over her head.
What happened?
I rewind the footage to where she pulls the chair closer and sits down, then she stares at me, one expression after the other flitting over her face.
At first, there’s admiration, and dare I say, even desire, which makes her blush.
The corner of my mouth lifts, and I feel a little better knowing I have something to work with.
Jenna pulls her legs up and curls into a ball while still looking at me.
Confusion tightens her features, but soon afterward, her expression grows tense until she looks downright terrified of me.
Foda-se! Why?
I go back to the current feed and find her still hiding under the covers.
She’s like a scared little bunny, all cute and fluffy, but skittish and difficult to catch.
Letting out a sigh, I place my phone on the bedside table and close my eyes. I drift on and off for a couple of hours before I give up and climb out of bed.
I check on Jenna, seeing she’s fallen asleep and has kicked off the covers.
I head downstairs to get the luggage the guards brought over from the motel and carry it back to the bedroom. Not caring about keeping the wound dry, I take a quick shower before getting dressed in a suit.
I tuck my gun into the back of my pants and let out a sigh. Feeling more refreshed, I wonder what I’m going to do now that I have to lie low for a while.
Shrugging, I sit down on the armchair, and I’m just about to continue watching Jenna sleep when a horrified scream knocks the air from my lungs.
I react instantly, running the short distance to her door, and finding it locked, I don’t think twice and throw my body against it. When it doesn’t open, I quickly check the footage, and seeing Jenna is still in bed, tossing and turning while crying, I pull my gun out from behind my back and fire a shot at the lock.
Finally, the door shudders open, and I rush inside.
Jenna shoots up in bed, her face filled with shock while her breaths burst over her lips in panicked puffs, her cheeks wet from crying.
I reach her in two seconds and grab her to me. When I get to hold her trembling body, I let out a harsh breath.
Meu coração!
“It’s okay,” I say, my tone dark and threatening. “I’m here.”
Instead of fighting me, she loses control over her fragile emotions and begins to sob in my arms. I hold her for a minute or so, but when she doesn’t calm down, I pull back so I can frame her face with my hands and make her look at me.
Everything in me stills when I see the shame and trauma in her eyes. Recognizing the look I had for many years, I have an idea of what happened to Jenna.
I might be wrong, but I think she’s been raped, and if the bastard who did that to her is still alive, I will set him on fire just like I did with Martim.
It’s the most painful way to die.
I lean closer and press a kiss to her forehead, then keeping still, my lips brush against her skin as I vow, “No one will ever hurt you again. I’ll keep you safe as long as there is breath in my lungs.”
Jenna’s arms dart around me, and she grips me tightly, and there’s so much pain in her voice when she whimpers, “Promise you won’t hurt me.”
Knowing she doesn’t talk easily and that she’s choosing to say this to me, I take it very seriously.
I pull back and lock eyes with her. “I promise. I’d put a gun to my head and end myself before I cause you any harm. You are unbelievably precious to me.Meu coração. Meu amor. Meu anjinho.”
Hope trickles into her beautiful eyes, and it makes me feel like I’ve finally done something right for once.