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“Professor Ashford?” Winnie asked, sounding genuinely surprised. It made sense that she’d be shocked to see me at her front door after all that was said earlier, but it still stung that she thought I’d leave her in the hands of this monster after what I’d learned.
She stepped to her brother’s side, her eyes wider and more terrified than I’d ever seen them before. But it wasn’t the paleness to her cheeks, or the shocked expression on her face, or the dark smudges under her eyes that gave me pause.
It was the fact she had an oversized hoodie and leggings on. Every inch of her body was covered by fabric. I’d never seen her so clothed before. My gaze slowly slid back to Connor, and it took every bit of willpower I possessed to not slam my fist through the screen and choke him to death.
“Hi, Winnie,” I said softly. She gave me the softest smile before turning her attention back to her brother.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice small and shaky.
“I came to check on you.” I kept my eyes on his, letting him hear the unsaid words. “When you didn’t come to class last week, I got worried.” I could feel her staring at me, begging me to just go. But I couldn’t. Not without her.
“I thought this home visit was about her assignments,” Connor grumbled, his arms still tight across his chest. From the corner of my eye, I saw her shift nervously beside him, her eyes flicking between us. I could feel the fear rippling off her, and all I wanted to do was snatch her out of the house and hold her. Protect her.
“I’m fine,” she finally rasped. “You don’t need to worry about me.” She looked back at him, but his gaze was still fixated on me.
I waved at the door, smiling tightly. “May I come in?”
Winnie’s sharp inhale was loud, the drone of the television behind them not enough to drown the sound out. Connor stared at me for a long moment, letting the silence fill the space between the three of us. Finally, he looked to Winnie, and she shrank back a step.
“Whatever,” he muttered, turning and nearly stumbling into the wall. She hesitated before hurrying past him to open the door for me. I watched him retreat into the small living room, and even though his back was to us, I could feel his attention solely on me.
“Would you like a drink?” she asked, just loud enough for me to know it was so her brother could hear. I cleared my throat, catching on.
“Water, please.” I followed her into the little kitchen, and watched her shoulders fall in relief. Whirling around, she stared up at me with a mixture of anger and shock.
“What are you doing here?” she whisper-hissed, looking around me at the opening to the kitchen to make sure he wasn’t eavesdropping.
“I’m taking you away from here,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Go pack a bag. You’re coming home with me.” That caught her totally off guard. She just stared at me, not moving, not saying a word.
“I can’t—” She looked around me again as she shook her head. “I can’t do that, Emmett. You know I can’t do that.”
“Why not? You’re not safe here.” I reached for her, but she took a step back before I could touch her, her eyes searching mine. “Why are you wearing this?” I gestured to the hoodie, and she looked down at her body before wrapping her arms protectively around herself.
“I’m cold,” she muttered, but I knew it was a lie.
“Winona.” When her eyes lifted again, tears lined them. Rage shot through my body.
“He was mad I didn’t come home last night. He didn’t mean to,” she whispered, and this time, when I reached for her, she let me.
Gently, I tugged the sleeve of her hoodie up her arm, exposing bruised skin. With every inch revealed, the more I felt my control slipping. “Where else did he hurt you?” I demanded, trying to stay calm for her sake. I glanced over my shoulder, trying to hide her from view if he were to walk in. “Show me.”
She chewed on her bottom lip as she lifted the hoodie above her waist, showing me the fresh bruises there, the size and shape of fists. Bile rose in my throat at the sight of them, at the haunted look in her eyes.
“He hasn’t done that in a long time,” she whispered, sounding embarrassed. “He was drunk. He didn’t mean to.”
“Bullshit,” I snarled. My chest heaved with my angry, labored breaths, and if it wasn’t for her grip on my wrist, I would’ve turned and shot the motherfucker through the wall. I forced myself to take a deep breath, forced myself to calm down. “Pack a bag, baby. We’re leaving. Right now.”
She looked hesitant, but I needed her to know she was safe. I needed her to trust me. Turning her toward her room, I gently pushed her in that direction. She shuffled toward it, looking at me over her shoulder like she was unsure. I gave her a reassuring nod and rubbed my palms together.
“I’ll be right here,” I promised. “Just hurry.”
“You really came…” She trailed off, her voice thick. Wiping roughly at her cheeks, she disappeared into her bedroom. I stared at the open door for a long moment, watching her hurry around the room and gather her most important belongings.
I’d expected more of a fight from her, more of an argument. But the fact that she was so willing and was moving so fast told me all I needed to know. She was thankful I was here to save her. And she was ready to leave.
Footsteps rattled the trailer, and I braced myself. Turning, I blocked Connor’s path to Winnie’s room. He rounded the corner and came to an abrupt stop when he saw me. Alone. He tried to peer around me, but I shifted with his gaze, not letting him get even a glimpse of his sister.
“Where’s Winnie?” he demanded, but I forced myself to keep my mouth shut. If I didn’t, I knew I’d explode. I knew I’d pull the gun from my waistband and blow him away. “Where is she?”
