Page 74 of Delicate Escape

“No,” I whispered. “After I got home that night, it was like my whole apartment went haywire. My TV and stereo turned on full blast, my alarm went off. Then my cell phone started alerting. So many notifications it nearly short-circuited the device.”

I gripped my hands in front of me, squeezing my fingers tightly. “There were alerts for fraud from my bank. Astronomical purchases for escorts and sex toys. Lingerie. Calls and texts from strangers wanting to set updatesbecause my photo and phone number had been put up on an escort site.”

“What the fuck?” Shep gritted out.

I didn’t want to have to tell him the last part. The unshed tears swimming in my eyes spilled over and tracked down my cheeks. “Then there were the emails. So many porn sites, thanking me for signing up as a performer. They all had pictures of me. Videos. Because he’d put cameras in my apartment. Ones I never knew were there.”

My voice shook as I kept going. “I tried to get it all down at first. Did everything I could to remove it. Some agreed, others refused, saying I’d signed a contract. But there are so many more that I couldn’t even find a way to get ahold of because they’re in the dark parts of the internet. Places youneverwant to go.”

My breath hitched as I tried to keep the sobs down. “So, I just gave up. I never know if the next tourist who walks through the bakery door has seen every last inch of me. I don’t know if someone will recognize me and tell everyone what a whore they think I am. So, he won. I’m just trying to pick up the pieces.”

Shep was quiet for a long time. All I could hear was his ragged breaths behind me. When he finally spoke, his words shook with fury. “I am going to fucking kill him.”

29

SHEP

I couldn’t move,could barely breathe. The tension and rage radiating through me strangled each inhale and exhale.

What kind of monster did that? It might not have been a physical assault, but in some ways, it was so much worse. Photos and videos of Thea at her most vulnerable. For anyone to see.

She turned then as if the ferocity in my voice had startled her. And when I got my first look at her face, it nearly brought me to my knees. It was more than the tears tracking down her cheeks. It was the genuine surprise at my anger.

That only made the fury burn brighter, flames wrapping around my throat, scorching the tissue there. Thea hadn’t thought I’d be angry at Brendan. She’d…what? Thought I’d be mad at her? See her differently?

“Thea,” I croaked.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I get it if you need to walk away.”

I moved then, unable to hold myself back. I closed the distance between us in two long strides and pulled her into my arms. I couldfeel the wetness on her cheeks sink into my tee. Felt how her body trembled.

“The last thing in the world I want to do is walk away.”

“Shep.” Thea’s voice shook.

“This would never make me see you differently. Other than discovering you’re even stronger than I knew.”

She let out a hiccuped sob.

“None of this is your fault. Not one thing.” I held her tighter to me as if I could soak up all the pain. All the ways she’d been hurt.

“Most of the time, I know that. But then my mind gets twisted. It’s like I still hear his voice in my head on repeat. And sometimes, I believe it.”

I slid my hand along Thea’s jaw, tipping her head back so those green eyes connected with mine. “You hear that voice? You come to me. I’ll tell you the truth.” My thumb swept back and forth across skin as smooth as silk. “Kind. Brave. Strong. Funny. So damn smart.”

“Shepard.” My name was barely audible on her lips.

“Will take a fucking penis diamond painting from my grandma so you don’t hurt her feelings.”

That had a small laugh bubbling out of her. “I hung it in the greenhouse. Above my potting table.”

I shook my head. “Of course, you did. Lolli will love that.” Any hints of amusement in my tone died. “This is why you haven’t wanted people in your house. Because he put cameras in without your knowledge.”

Thea nodded slowly. “I can’t help but imagine someone else doing the same. Even if I know the chances are one in a million.”

Hell.And she’d let me in after all that. Let me stay with her. It was even more of a gift now.

Thea went quiet for a long moment. “It’s more than just living with the fact that those photos are out there. My head…it’s a messed-up place.”

---