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He tried to soften his tone, hating to think he may have gone too far. “We’d never hurt you, Jess. You know that, right? You’re safe with us.”
“I know that.” His words had obviously taken the wind out of her sails. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me. It’s just…I’ve been on my own for so long, and you two keep…”
She paused just long enough that Tony decided to fill in the blanks for her. “Helping you. We’re helping you.”
Tony realized that his pronoun with Jess was different than with most other people. He rarely spoke in terms of whathewanted to do for her. Instead, he spoke as awe—Rhys as much a part of this…God…what was it? A bond? A connection?
Attraction?
Tony shoved that thought away. Now wasn’t the time or place.
“So what’s it going to be? Rhys or his colleague?” he asked.
“Rhys,” she whispered. “I don’t want…a stranger.”
“Very well,” Rhys said.
“And you can touch me,” she said, her gaze traveling from Tony to Rhys and back, her words so low, he wasn’t sure he’d heard them correctly. “I want… I need…”
Tony had never seen anyone look more lost, more alone. He lifted his arms, making sure she knew the choice was hers, and Jess stepped into them, clinging to him, as if she was adrift at sea and he was the life preserver.
“I was so scared,” she said, the words muffled against his chest. “I thought he was going to kill me.”
Tony knew her well enough to know how hard it was for her to admit that.
“I know. But you were brave. You fought back.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t going to be enough. He was stronger.”
Her words destroyed him, gutted him. “You’re so brave, Jess. So strong. Everything is going to be okay. We’re going to make it all okay.”
She breathed out an airy laugh. “Stubborn pain in the ass.”
He chuckled. “And don’t you forget it.”
Rhys moved closer, and Tony could see the pain in his friend’s gaze. Knew he needed the chance to comfort her as well. Tony released her, turning her so that Rhys could offer his own embrace.
Like with him, Jess wrapped her arms around Rhys, soaking up his warmth, his strength.
“Let Rhys examine you,” Tony said at last. “I’ll be right out here, waiting. Okay?”
“I don’t want you to wait out here.”
Tony’s heart fell, hating the feeling that she was pushing him away. He wanted—fuck, heneeded—to stay close to her right now. Walking away after what had happened…he wasn’t sure it was something he could do.
His hurt was short-lived when she said, “I want you to come in too.”
