Chapter 15

When all my stuff’s in his bag, he stands up and takes my arm. “Come on.” His voice is still so soft, so gentle. I let him help me up. “I’ll take you home. Come on.”

His arm slips around my waist and I don’t want to lean against him but I remember those guys and their hands on me, holding me down, and I tremble so bad I can’t walk without his support. If he hadn’t come along—

Don’t think about that,my mind whispers.

Okay. I won’t.

* * * *

He comes into my condo like he lives here, too, just walks in and closes the door behind him, setting the grocery bag on the chair by the phone. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asks, as if this is his place and I’m the one visiting.