AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry, Jess,” Rocco said, the deep lines in his face proof of his guilt, his misery.
“Not your fault,” she said, reaching out to place her hand on Rocco’s forearm.
“I should have been watching, keeping a better eye out.”
“I’m okay, Rocco. Honest.” She attempted to reassure the old guy with a smile but winced at the pull on her cut lip.
“Come on, Jess.” Rhys helped her put on her coat. She rifled around in her huge bag for her car keys and handed them to Tony.
“See you at home,” Tony said, giving her a wink, desperate to find anything to take the darkness out of her pretty blue eyes.
She nodded numbly, then walked with Rhys to the car.
“Come on, little man,” he said, turning toward Jess’s vehicle, Jasper still riding on his shoulders.
The trip from the motel to their apartment didn’t take long, but it gave Tony too much time to think.
He sighed as they pulled up in front of their building, glad to be home, and relieved that Jess and Jasper were with them, out of the elements, in their protection. If he had his way, there wouldn’t be any more talk of shelters.
Jasper had been uncharacteristically quiet during the drive, and Tony worried about the long-lasting effects today’s attack might have not only on Jess but on Jasper as well.
He’d texted Aunt Berta before leaving the motel. Told her there’d been an incident and that Jess had been hurt, so he wasn’t surprised to see her standing in the open front door as they approached the steps.
Jasper dropped Tony’s hand when he saw her, running straight into her arms. She hugged him fiercely, her eyes filled with worry when she looked at Tony.
Rhys arrived a few minutes after, he and Jess joining them on the sidewalk. Aunt Berta took in Jess’s battered face and offered her a comforting smile.
“Jasper. I was just about to make some chocolate chip cookies and I need a taste-tester. Think you’re up to the task?” Aunt Berta asked. “There’s a cup of hot cocoa in it for you.”
Jasper nodded, excitement finally edging out the fear and confusion that had been too prevalent on the boy’s face in the last hour. “Can I, Mommy?”
“Of course you can. I’m jealous Berta chose you and not me for the job.” Jess’s ability to speak so lightheartedly after what she’d just endured had Tony wondering if she’d had too much practice pretending things were okay for Jasper when they weren’t.
“You can help us,” Jasper said. “Can’t she, Aunt Berta?”
Aunt Berta started to nod, until Rhys said, “I need your mom’s help with something in my office first, Jasper. She’ll be up in a few minutes.”
Jasper’s gaze lingered on Jess, and she turned her head slightly, trying to conceal the mark that was starting to bruise, her hand shielding her neck.
“Come on, Jasper.” Aunt Berta took his hand. “We’ll make a big platter of them and then we can all have cookies and cocoa later.”
Jasper and Aunt Berta disappeared up the stairs as he, Rhys, and Jess followed, then paused outside the door to one of the examination rooms.
“I feel fine,” Jess said. “This isn’t necessary.”
Tony had been waiting for those words, had expected her to dig her heels in. It was why he’d remained with them rather than going up with Aunt Berta and Jasper.
“I’m glad to hear you’re okay,” Rhys said, opening the door to the exam room. “But I’d like that confirmed with an examination. I know I said I’d do it, but, Jess…I have a female colleague I can call if you’d be more comfortable with her. She could be here within the hour.”
“I don’t need anyone to—”
“Do you want him or his colleague to check you out? Pick one, or I’m driving you to the hospital,” Tony interjected when she continued doubling down on her refusal.
She whirled on him, her eyes flashing with anger. “You are not in charge of me, Tony Moretti, and I’m getting sick of you constantly steamrolling over everything I say.” As she spoke, she drove her finger into his chest. “I make my own decisions.Me. Just me.”
“Well, you’re in for a world of disappointment, Jess Monroe,” he replied, leaning down but keeping his voice steady, even. After what she’d just gone through, he wasn’t about to do anything that might scare her. “Because as of right now,I’mtaking charge of you. And I’m telling you to get yourself in that office so Rhys can examine you, or let him call his friend. I’m trying very hard not to touch you, because I don’t want to upset or scare you, but goddammit, if you keep fighting us on this, I promise I will pick you up, toss you over my shoulder, and drag you kicking and screaming all the way to the hospital.”
Her mouth slammed shut, but he wasn’t sure if he’d shocked her into silence or if his threat truly frightened her.
