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I slipped the T-shirt over her head. She only made a tiny noise of discomfort.
When I removed her dress and pulled on the sweatpants, I noticed her filthy feet. I’d been so focused on her face, I forgot to clean her feet.
“Mind walking to the bathroom?”
She took my outstretched hand and leaned on me as I led her down the narrow hall. She limped but was so damn tough. How far had she run without shoes?
A fresh wave of rage that she was in this position threatened to take me under. That someone didn’t respect and value Beau for the treasure she was.
I put the stopper in the bathtub with too much force and turned on the hot water. I situated her on the edge of the tub, found another washcloth, and pushed the sweats above her knees.
I tested the temperature. When it was ready, I squirted body wash on the damp cloth and cleaned her feet. There were a few cuts on the bottoms, which I put antiseptic on.
I spread toothpaste on my toothbrush and scrubbed with light circular motion. She closed her eyes as I brushed her teeth like she was in some silent prayer of gratitude.
I pointed to the tub and she spit. I wiped her mouth with a hand towel before taking her back to the living room.
She curled against me, her body small and fragile as I held her.
I kissed the top of her head and willed my thundering pulse to slow down.Relax. She doesn’t need to feel your stress.
She was safe. She would heal. No one would touch her again. Not on my watch.
“You don’t have to tell me right now, baby sister. But I won’t let him hurt you again.”
He’d never lay a hand on her again.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Beau
Everything hurt.
Especially my face.
And arm.
And feet.
I kept my eyes closed. A fresh wave of shame washed over me. I’d let Alex Davenport manhandle me like a rag doll. And not only that, I’d run from him like a scared little girl. I should have screamed at him, let his parents see what their precious monster had done to me. And if I didn’t grow a backbone, he’d believe he could do it again.
I was so angry.
At him.
At myself for running.
I screwed my eyelids tighter, which pulled on my jaw. Pain bolted from my chin to just below my ear. I stiffened but didn’t let out the cry I wanted to.
“What hurts?”
Cal’s voice was scratchy from sleep. I froze.
We were tangled together, his body wrapped around me like a protective cocoon.
Please let the entire thing be a nightmare.
It was humiliating enough Alex had overpowered me, but I’d called Cal when I was in trouble? I didn’t want to face that either.
