Page 46 of Rescuing Kaye

At least, not directly.

Ultimately, Kaye needs to battle this herself, but I can help her along the way.

“You can tell me. No judgment. I’m here. Here for anything you need. From a shoulder to cry on to a knight riding in on a white horse.”

My attempt at humor opens her up by a crack. There’s the faintest hint of a smile, but it’s wiped clean before it can take root. Kaye’s definitely hurting.

I move into the room, until I stand beside her, far closer than a friend would stand.

Fuck the friend zone. I’m in full Protector mode now.

I reach out and slowly place my hand on her shoulder. She flinches at first, but then her body relaxes. I say nothing. Not yet. I let the silence between us speak the words I want to say.

I’m here.

I’ll protect you.

You can count on me.

You can lean on me.

Through little movements, I reassure her that I’m here for her.

She lets out a long sigh, as if resigning herself to the fact I see the truth and her lie is exposed. I take that as a sign to close the distance and sit beside her on her bed.

She says nothing but leans against me. I lift my arm up and over her shoulder and pull her into a side hug. How long we sit there, I don’t know, but she seems to relax.

“Kaye, I want to help you.” My voice wavers with uncertainty. I desperately want to help.

No, that’s not it.

I want to march out the front door guns blazing, find Asshat-Scott, string him up, and draw and quarter him for fun. But I don’t do that. I’m too fearful going off on Scott will push the wrong buttons with Kaye and result in massive fallout that could ruin any chance I have at her.

“Can you…” Her voice catches, and this time she does wipe a tear from her face. “Do you think you could hold me?”

I glance down at the bruising on her wrists and the marks on her throat. Rage boils up within me, and all I see is red. All I want is to make Scott pay for destroying my Kaye.

But instead of seeking vengeance, I fold Kaye into my arms and listen to her weep. Eventually, her breathing slows and the tension in her body eases.

“Can you hold me until I fall asleep?” She sounds so broken and lost.

“Luv, I’ll hold you until the end of time.” I pull back the comforter and sheets and we lie down together. She tucks into me, small and vulnerable, while I curve my body around hers, protecting her while she sleeps.

Our first night in the same bed, and all I do is hold her in my arms? Not my usual, but somehow, it’s imperfectly perfect.

Now, in the morning, we’re going to have a talk.

There’s no fucking way I’m going to sit on the couch like an idiot while Scott hurts my girl. That shit ends now.

But first, I need to know why she went back to him. What hold does he have over my Kaye?

TWELVE

Kaye

I slowly openmy eyes and curl into the warmth that radiates from Zeb’s body. I shift slightly and he pulls me close, holding me in a protective embrace. I remember last night and allow myself a moment to savor the feeling of being here with him.

And not with Scott.

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