Page 56 of Protection for Rowan

In her fractured mind, she wasn’t sure what the truth was. Charles had been after her, but this wasn’t Charles. The man at the coffee shop probably hadn’t been Charles either.

She needed help.

He was speaking to her, and then someone else got out of the car. That wasn’t Charles, either. Who was that?

A memory came back, putting everything into perspective. There was no danger.

“It’s Sharp. The guys are all out looking for you. We were worried.”

“Shine?”

“It’s me, Rowan. We can go home.”

She shook her head. “Home?”

“My place. You’ll be safe there.”

Deep inside, she knew he wouldn't hurt her, but the fear felt real. She needed assurances and maybe more. She had to know this wasn't a trick before she got into the car with him.

“Where is Charles?”

Shine shook his head. “We don’t know. The police still don’t know. They are looking for him, but we have no idea where he is.”

Another car pulled into the lot. She thought of running, but it was Shine's friends, Apple and Griz moved to stand close to Sharp. They were the good guys. She knew that and she breathed out a sigh of relief. Another car pulled into the lot and Squat and Jay where there.

Shine and his buddies had come out looking for her and found her. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to grasp hold of reality. How had her mind fractured so badly?

"Hey, I'm going to give you my jacket. Let's get in the car, and we'll go home."

She shook her head, and Shine stopped. "My stuff? My computer and purse."

“Your receptionist has them. The coffee shop called her when you left.”

"Oh, crap. I'm so embarrassed. What is wrong with me?"

“Nothing is wrong with you. It’s okay.”

She shook her head. “I need help.”

“We’ll find help. It will be okay.”

She was unsure if anything would ever be okay. She needed intense help, and a few hours a week wasn't going to work. She needed weeks in a setting where she could work on herself. Running away from danger that wasn't really danger had put her at risk. If she'd stayed at the coffee shop, she could have already been home, and Shine and his friends wouldn't have been forced to come out looking for her.

Chapter 40

Shine had arrangedfor Apple and Griz to get his car home. They would get Rowan’s car in the morning. Tonight was about making sure she was safe and warm.

After getting her inside and into the shower, he texted her receptionist to tell her that Rowan was safe.

There was no way he would be able to repay the guys. They'd really shown up for him. He had been off since Rowan had been taken. He wasn't being fair to them. He had to get his shit together. That meant he really needed to help Rowan. She needed more than just general counseling. She needed something intense.

When she got out of the shower, he made her some tea. She came into the kitchen wearing an oversized hoodie. She sat at the table, tucking her feet under her legs as she sipped the tea. He wanted her to get better but expected nothing from her tonight. She'd obviously been through hell. Her gaze lifted and met his. He noticed her lips were down in a deep frown.

“I really fucked up.”

He shook his head. “No. I screwed up. I didn’t take the PTSD symptoms you were showing seriously. I should have gotten you into an intense program.”

She shook her head. “I should have paid attention to the signs. It’s my responsibility. I knew I needed help, but I thought I could handle it. Then it got too much.”

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