Page 28 of Break

A knock on the glass draws me out of my thoughts. I also realize that Max was apparently lost in thoughts as well when he scratches at the back of his head. He gives a slight nod toward the unseen occupants in the next room.

“Right then… okay,” he says awkwardly. “Look, I know this seems like it’s not a coincidence that of all the people here to help you, it’s us. I swear to you, it is. I had no idea that you were the vic-” He clears his throat, clearly struggling to use that word in direct connection with her. “That you were the victim we were called in for, but Mina, this is what I do. This is why I started Breaking Barriers. Ethan and I both would very much like to help you get to a safe place until we know what’s going to happen with Danny.”

I catch her pause, so I know she’s listening. The Mina I used to know would always have responded with polite words when someone was speaking with her, but this Mina is staying silent. There’s a small muscle that pops in her jaw like she’s holding back words. But before I get a chance to encourage her to let us know what she’s thinking, Max makes the mistake of reaching out and touching her hand.

Her reaction is quick, jerking her hands away from him, but at least he gets her eyes focused on him. “Please, hear me out?” he urges her. Max deserves an award for keeping his frustration in check because I know he’s uneasy about not being able to get a reaction from her.

He sits back, considering her with no comment about her reaction to him. “Normally in this kind of scenario, we’d relocate you someplace far away, get you set up in an apartment. Help you get back on your feet financially while we monitor the situation with your attacker. But I think, since we’re dealing with Danny, you should stay with us at my home.”

“No.” The first word from her mouth is a denial and Max’s mouth falls into a deep frown.

Her eyes find me when I hold my hand up to stop Max from diving into an argument. I need to interject before Max tries to bulldoze her into something she doesn’t want to do because she doesn’t understand why. “Mina, take a moment and think about it logically. Where’s the very last place he would come looking for you? We haven’t spoken to him regularly in a very long time. There’s no connecting you to us, so he’d never consider finding you in Max’s home. You won’t have to worry about anything except recovering from your injuries and proceeding with whatever legal actions you choose to pursue.”

Her brows furrow in confusion, her mouth opening and then closing like she has a question she doesn’t want to voice. I decide to encourage her to ask, so she knows that she’sallowedto question whatever she’s worried about. “Ask your question,” I say, tilting my head toward her, letting her know I’m listening.

“I don’t understand. Danny talks about you guys all the time. I don’t believe that you all aren’t talking with him.” I’m at a loss briefly by her accusation because I don’t know why Danny would tell her that. Who knows what’s been going on in his head over the past five years since they married.

Pulling out my phone from my pocket, I approach her slowly while opening up my text messages to show her the timestamp from the last text exchange he and I had. “Look at the call log. We haven’t spoken.” Looking at Max, I jerk my head towards her for him to show her the same thing.

Setting his phone next to mine on the table in front of her, she looks between the phones until the screens go dim, then black.

My eyes flick to Vincent when he walks into the room silently settling back on Mina’s face. He says nothing except to set his phone on the table for her as well. I can imagine the sound of the gears in her head turning as she contemplates what we’ve shown her.

Finally, she looks up at Max and hesitantly says, “I-I know he’s lied to me about a lot of things. He’s always told me you all have stayed as close as you were in high school. Whenever I asked why none of you visit, he’s always said that you didn’t approve of our marriage and refused to see me on principle…” Her voice trails off as she works through the reality we’ve hit her with. “He’s always blamed me for not being good enough for him in your eyes.”

“That’s bullshit,” Vincent snaps out, unable to stay silent any longer. He sits down next to Max, opposite of her. She leans back in her chair, moving away from his anger. I throw a silent thanks to Max for the elbow he gives him in warning.

Her head drops, causing her hair to fall around her face. I’m impressed with the fact that she hasn’t broken down in front of us yet, but I’m sure at some point it’s going to happen. I want to be here for her when she does.

“I hate to rush you in making a decision, but what do you think? Will you come with us?” Max asks, waving between his body and where I’m standing. “Where we can keep you safe?”

She swallows, then answers. “The enemies of my enemy and all that?”

Vincent flashes her a big smile and leans forward slightly. He ignores the way she stiffens when he says, “It means you’re our friend now, sweetheart. He’s too self-absorbed to ever figure it out.”

Her answering nod of agreement has me blowing out air in relief. Now, we just need to get her out of here.

Chapter 14

Damn Dog

Max

Leading Mina out of the police station, I keep a watchful eye on her, ready to intervene if she shows any signs of distress. I know she doesn’t trust me. Well, she doesn’t trustus, but I’m incredibly relieved that she chose to go along with our idea of staying at my place until we know how Danny’s going to react.

I’ve never brought any of the victims we’ve helped into my home before. It’s always been straight from the station to the temporary housing. Do I regret this decision? Absolutely not. Am I worried that it’s going to bring up some memories of having a woman in my home with injuries from a fist again? Abso-fucking-lutely I am. But it’s the right thing to do, and I’m not going to back down now.

Ethan offers the front seat to Mina, but she politely declines and slides into the back. Choosing to give her space, he settles into the front passenger seat of my SUV, wanting to tag along so he’s there when I show her around the house.

The drive is silent while Mina stares out the window. Ethan’s deep in thought over this morning’s upheaval, and my thoughts are whirling with worries I have no answers to. Will she be comfortable staying with me? Will she be able to sleep? Will she bescared?I just don’t fucking know the answer to any of these nagging questions, and I hate it.

What the fuck is wrong with Danny that this abuse became a part of his routine? How long has it been going on? Obviously, he laid his hands on her, but how many times has this happened?What else has he done to her that we don’t know about?My stomach rolls when that last question flickers through my head.

“You good, man?” Ethan asks me softly.

Checking over my shoulder, I catch Mina’s eye before she looks away. She’s listening for my answer, so I need to watch my words. “I’m doing alright. Trying to wrap my head around how much of a piece of shit Danny is, but aside from that, I’m solid.”

Bouncing his fist on his knee in thought, he responds, “Yeah. He’s changed.”

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