Page 115 of The Confidant

“I’m sure. You’re her hero. I lost count of how many times she’s crowed about you being the reigning champ of happy vibes. Sit down for a minute.” I stare at Tera hard.

My look seems to motivate her to perch on the chair quickly. The tense way she holds herself disturbs me. She looks like she’s waiting for a lecture to ensue. It makes my standard hard-hearted approach to things waver.

I do what Addie would do in this situation.

“Hold this,” I hand her Racer and watch as she hugs it tightly to her chest.

“Wow, such comfort,” one of them mutters mockingly. I think it’s the guy who’s beside the mountain of man. Frosting? I’m not sure. I give them both a dismissive look and refocus on Tera.

“Me? A hero?” She breathes harshly in confusion.

“Does breathing into a bag help?” Grace asks hesitantly. “I have one in my purse for emergencies.”

Asher moves to her back and gently clasps the front of her throat. My eyes narrow on the move, body tense if I need to react. The grip seems to soothe her, but seeing it makes me uneasy. It could become something else in an instant, and she’s trusting him not to do it.

My eyes move to him as he leans closer to whisper to her. The sudden droop to her shoulders is surprising. She listens intently, occasionally nodding.

This is a set routine to help her relax. I don’t understand it, but I can’t deny that it works. Whatever it is that he went through has taught him the tools he needs to survive with trauma. He’s steady and sure with it, while she is still lost. Two damaged souls healing each other. Supporting.

And now I know why he’s her favorite. He sees someone faltering and doesn’t hesitate to act. It doesn’t matter if it’s his pregnant girlfriend right now. I’m sure of him based on the grateful glance he gives Grace before he goes back to talking to Tera.

I look at Maman and Joseph, watching her argue for all she’s worth farther out in the parking lot. Joseph’s arms are crossed, but he stands firm no matter what she says.

“Tera?” Gabriel’s voice sounds behind me. His tone is menacing as he focuses on me, the apparent enemy in their midst. He makes sure to move between us, and his bodyguards follow his actions with threatening stances.

“Gabe?” Tera perks up with surprise. Asher moves his hand to her shoulder as he straightens with a frown.

“Who upset my number one?” Amanda demands, shoving her way past me to get to Tera. “I’m about to break skulls in this place, I swear to God.”

“You know each other?” I glance at Gabriel in confusion. How could he know Asher’s girlfriend? This town is smaller than I thought.

“Tera was instrumental in taking down the sex trafficking ring,” he informs me with a slight scowl. “None of us will stand by and watch her be harassed.”

I look back at the fragile woman with raised brows and nod. I start to understand why she would think it was her fault for keeping him away.

Removing her little brother as an obstacle takes a backseat as the yelling escalates in the parking lot.

I point to Maman with a subtle smile. “Feel free to take care of the problem. I’m sure we would all appreciate it.”

His group’s focus moves to the oblivious, ranting woman while I try not to smirk.

“Oh, no,” Tera protests with wide eyes. “It’s not that bad, I swear.”

“Poe,” Grace says in a warning tone. “If Addie finds out you’re escalating this, she’s going to be upset.”

“I’ll pay my dues on the couch,” I assure her calmly, satisfied with the decision.

“Bold words for a yappy dog.”

My shoulders stiffen up at the ominous sound of my siren’s tones.

“Sucks to be you,yappy,” Grace shrugs with a smirk.

Adelaide

You can bet when I watched the security guys pass by me, looking tense enough to snap, I followed them. Where there’s trouble, I’ll find Poe, guaranteed.

I can’t see anything over the bodies blocking my way, but I can hear just fine.

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