“Slowly, things will get easier,” Indigo said, and Maya wished she believed that.
But maybe they were right. Maybe for now, she didn't have to figure out her entire life and what that was going to look like. Maybe all she had to do was exactly what they said, eat chocolate in a bubble bath, and then put on clothing she chose for herself.
Whatever happened after that was going to happen whether she stressed herself out about it or not. And if the worst happened and she’d made a mistake in trusting these people, then she could always find her way back to that place in her mind that she’d created to hide in.
So long as she didn't lose her way there, she would always have a safe place to fall back on.
Chapter
Seven
February 25th
12:28 P.M.
At least she hadn't tried to run again.
Thunder was holding onto that fact, but it wasn't like the mystery woman was particularly warming up to any of them, although it was clear she felt safer with the women than she did with the guys.
Or at least with the others.
According to the girls, who had spent most of the day up in the woman’s room, she kept glancing at the door, as though checking if he was coming. After a couple of hours with her not wanting to leave the room, Rose had texted to ask him to come back up, so he’d brought up lunch and eaten with the girls.
When she’d seen him, he would have sworn there was a brief flicker of relief in the woman’s gray eyes. At least he thought that’s what it was, but maybe he was just seeing a reflection of what he wanted to see.
It was selfish of him, but hewantedthe woman to want him, to need him.
The more time she was there, the more he felt that pull toward her grow. It wasn't like he was expecting anything to happen between them. She was there until she was ready to face the world, then she’d go home to her family. Thunder was aware of all of that, and yet it didn't seem to diminish the raging need inside him that demanded he go to her, pull her into his arms, and tell her she was safe until she finally believed it.
Really believed it, not just accepted it until the world proved to her that she was wrong and the other shoe dropped.
Because he was pretty sure that was what she was waiting for.
For the time being, it seemed she was going to stay put and listen to them when they told her she was safe, but he could see in her eyes that she didn't expect it to last.
She was yet to speak a word, although she would nod or shake her head, and she’d point at things when asked about something. They’d sent DNA and fingerprint samples to Prey and were all hoping that sooner rather than later, they’d get a hit and find out who she was. Maybe that would help, if they knew her name, some things about her, something he could use to connect with her, and draw her out of a shell a little.
Knocking on the door to her room, which she’d left open, he could see she was curled up on the armchair by the window, but he wasn't going to invade her personal space without express permission.
If he wanted her to believe that she was safe there, then they had to treat her as an autonomous person who could make her own choices. Which started with respecting her space.
“Can I come in?” he asked when she turned her head to look at him.
There was a flicker of surprise in her gaze, probably unused to anyone asking her permission for anything. Trafficking victims were seen as property, not people, and it was likely that over time she’d begun to see herself the same way.
When she nodded, he stepped into her room. There were still snacks laid out across the dresser, and beside her was an empty candy bar wrapper, so he knew she was at least accepting that the food was hers to eat whenever she wanted. But she couldn’t live on snacks forever. Yesterday she hadn't wanted to come down to the kitchen, today he was hoping she was ready to take that step.
“Thought you might want to come and make some lunch with me,” he offered.
Those big gray eyes of hers looked beyond him, out into the hall, where she was yet to venture after yesterday’s escape attempt. He could see the longing in them. She wanted to go out there, but she was scared. Which was totally understandable, and he wouldn't push her beyond what she was capable of, but he hoped she might be up for a trip to the kitchen.
“I made soup last night,” he continued. “I thought we might make some toasted cheese sandwiches to go with it.” It was a simple meal, but it was comfort food, and since she wasn't going to suddenly start chattering and tell him all her favorite foods, he thought it was a good starting point.
Her eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he felt a ridiculous flush of pride. It was such a small thing, but he’d made her happy, and he liked knowing that. More than he probably should, given how this was all going to play out.
“Everyone else is busy, so we’ll have the kitchen to ourselves,” he added when he saw her fingers curl into fists on her lap. She might be okay with the other women, but he didn't think she was ready to face him and his team all at once. They were an intimidating bunch of men, he absolutely got that, especially for someone who had been through what this woman had.
After a long moment, the woman finally nodded. Uncurling her legs from underneath her, she placed her bare feet on thefloor and slowly pushed herself up. She swayed slightly, and it took all his restraint not to rush toward her to steady her.
