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Jupiter shifted on her feet. “Do what?”
Yasmina offered her a sad smile. “Think your situation wasn’t horrific.” She reached for Jupiter and placed a comforting hand on her arm. “You got out alive. That’s all that matters.”
Jupiter didn’t even realize she’d been on the verge of tears until one slid down her cheek. Wiping it away quickly, she cleared her throat. “I should’ve left sooner. End of story.”
Yasmina pulled Jupiter into a tight hug. “Don’t blame yourself. He is the one to blame. He is the evil, not you.”
Wrapping her arms around the smaller woman, Jupiter cringed at how thin she was. She couldn’t imagine the atrocities Yasmina faced, but she understood in her own way. “We’re both better off.”
Yasmina broke their hug and smiled. “Yes, we are.”
The bell above the door clanged and Yasmina rushed to help the customer. Watching her, Jupiter felt the urge to open up to Yasmina. At least a little. It’d help her heal and she needed that more than anything. Only someone who’d been in a similar situation could truly understand.
After the man left with a dozen chocolate cupcakes, Yasmina turned to her. “You don’t have to tell me. It’s hard, I know.”
Jupiter shifted her weight. “It is, but I think it’ll help if I talk it out.” She took a breath, summoning her courage. “A week after I left, my ex found me holed up in a crappy hotel in Florida. He’d bribed the front desk lady. When I got back from working at a restaurant as a dish washer, he was sitting on my bed. Reading the paper like he should’ve always been there.”
Her stomach knotted at the memory. “I was terrified. I couldn’t move from the doorway. He used that to his advantage and dragged me in by my hair. I should’ve braced myself before he backhanded me.”
Yasmina squeezed her hand, silently encouraging her to continue.
“When I came to, he was gone. I was bruised, bloody, and missing my underwear. He’d taken all my cash and the few possessions in my room.” She rubbed a hand over her stomach self-consciously. “He wanted me to be stranded and I was. Thankfully, the same person he bribed came to my rescue. She gave me all the cash she had including what Lyle paid her.” She smiled sadly. “From that day forward, I never stayed in one place for very long. I got fake IDs and learned how to defend myself.”
“Thank you for telling me.” Yasmina hugged her again. “You’re safe, Jupiter. Macha won’t let him do that again.”
More tears threatened to fall, but she held them at bay. Another customer came through the door and Jupiter hurried to find a tissue. When she passed the back room, she noticed Rubble returning to his chair. Her stomach pitched. If he’d heard, she had a new reason to steer clear of Rubble.
CHAPTER12
RUBBLE
WatchingJupiter for eight hours was the worst form of agony. Her lithe movements and easy smile were only the beginning of his constant need for a cold shower. The pink-and-blue apron molded over her perky breasts perfectly, her jeans accentuating a round ass that his palm ached to swat. He was an ass man through and through, and Jupiter had an ass straight from his dreams.
He checked his cell. A message from Kevlar about having drinks later popped up and he replied affirmatively. Brewer sent a group chat about the Xtreme Winter Games opening ceremony on Sunday. Evidently, the MC wanted as many members present as possible to show support for the community. He’d tag along but would stick to the shadows. Working behind the scenes to see the job to completion was what he knew best. He’d done it in the Marines, and it was what he continued to do for Macha. Getting his hands dirty wasn’t an issue. In fact, it was one of his more preferred methods of combat.
But the worst part of his day was overhearing the story Jupiter told Yasmina. That cut open his heart and nearly sent him on the hunt for the no-good prick. She deserved better than that from a man. Not confronting her about it was equally difficult. He wanted nothing more than to hear every detail so he could somehow save her from the pain.
“Hey, I made a fresh batch of ham and Swiss croissants. Do you want any?”
Jupiter’s sweet smile made his automatic reply fade away. He wanted some all right. Some of her.Dammit, man, stop.
“Sure, thanks.” He took the proffered croissants that were still warm from the oven and bit into one. The creamy Swiss cheese paired perfectly with the salty ham and buttery pastry. “Damn good.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, a smile just below the surface. “Thanks.”
“How’s business been?”
“Steady, but you know that.”
He took another bite. “Yeah, I do, but hearing it from you is different than watching on the screen.”
She shifted nervously as if his constant scrutiny somehow bothered her. It shouldn’t. He was there in case things went awry. Everybody knew it wouldn’t, but Queenie still insisted on a Macha member at the bakery. After knowing Yasmina’s past and recently hearing Jupiter’s story, he now understood why.
“I like the brown.”
“What?”
“Your hair.” He finished the croissant and wiped his hands on his jeans. “It looks good brown.”
