Page 67 of Entice

“What happened?”

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her waist. “One of my brothers saw and told our father. That night, my father and brothers came into my bedroom, my brothers held me down while my father beat me.”

“Where the hell was your mother?”

“Right there with my sisters, telling them I had sinned, and this is what happened to sinners.” Crystal shook her head, trying to dispel her mother’s voice.

“Honey,” Jordan stood up, but Crystal held her palm out.

She needed to get this out. “My father was careful not to break the skin, but my entire back was one big bruise for weeks. I could barely walk without being in pain.”

“People had to notice.”

“They did. My parents said I fell out of a tree.”

“Wasn’t there anyone you could go to?”

“I wish.” Tears gathered behind her eyes. She’d been so afraid no one would believe her. “I wasn’t close to anyone. I didn’t dare tell a teacher or a neighbor. They were all friends with my parents.”

“Couldn’t you have gone to the police?”

She shook her head. “I was too scared of the consequences if I did. I was under eighteen; they would have gone to my parents first.” Her mind replayed conversation after conversation she overheard at her parents’ house. Everything was always the kids’ fault, and how they never acted like they should.

“So you endured.” Jordan’s soft voice brought her back to the present, his features no longer filled with anger, but with concern.

“I did, but the second I turned eighteen, I was out the door. One thing my parents did believe in was a good work ethic, so I babysat all through high school. Every job I could get. Even with kids no one else would babysit. I hid part of the money so my parents wouldn’t take it from me.” She took a deep breath. “The day of my eighteenth birthday, I snuck out of the house before dawn. I had a backpack filled with a few clothes, my journal, and money. I went to the bus station and bought a ticket.”

“You were gone before anyone knew it.”

“Yes. Because they would have stopped me. They would have come after me; I was sure of that. I waited over a year to contact them and tell them I was okay, but I never told them where I lived. Not even the one time I went back to visit.” Crystal opened her eyes and stared at Jordan. “This is what is happening to Brady. His own natural tendencies are being used against him, and I won’t let it happen.”

“Of course not.” Jordan crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. “You are not that type of person. I’m sorry if it seemed like I wasn’t listening.”

“You were listening, just not hearing. All you could think about were the legal ramifications, and I understand.”

He held her close. “You saw the emotional side of what was going on.”

“I did. And once we get Brady on board, it’s the emotional side we can defeat his family with.”

“I hope you’re right.” He stared down at her. “Come on. Let’s go to bed and get some sleep. I think we can both use it.”

“I should go home.”

“No. Tonight you need someone to hold you, and that’s going to be me.”

He was right. When the nightmares came, Jordan’s warmth and comfort kept her from being afraid. She had someone who believed in her. Who loved her for who she was.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Monday and Tuesday were busy days. Crystal and Jordan spent their time going over legal briefs and arguments for court. When the day ended, she would go over to Tessa’s and talk to Brady. Maybe it was a tad bit unethical…all right, a lot unethical. She wasn’t his lawyer, but she needed to advise Brady of their plan. As always, she would make sure Tessa was present in case someone wanted to say she or Jordan coaxed Brady.

“I’m totally on board,” Brady declared, his voice strong. He glanced at Tessa, then back to Crystal. “I’m sorry you had to see me the way I was the other day.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m glad you had someone you could go to.”

“I’m a thirty-year-old man. I shouldn’t have fallen apart.”

“Bull.” Crystal wasn’t going to let him think that. “Brady, what your family did is reprehensible. You were in shock, something I understand well.”

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