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A tingle hit me in the sinuses, and I ducked my head as I hurried away. Crying would only make things worse, and I didn’t want worse. I wanted better and needed to figure out how to make that happen.
Behind me, the men started talking while they ate.
“We should charge him a can of food if he wants to stand there and watch us like we’re some kind of damn movie,” one said.
Nat laughed. “That’s not a bad idea.”
I poured a small portion of soup into my bowl and sat next to Nat, leaning against him slightly. He wrapped an arm around me briefly, then started eating. His display of affection didn’t fool me. It wasn’t forgiveness. But feeding his belief that I needed him and loved him helped blunt some of his anger. Sometimes.
“You did an amazing job with the supplies,” I said. “This is much better than anything we would have had in that hellhole.” The word was bitter in my mouth. Tenacity had been a haven.
“This is the first haul from that bitch’s house,” Nat said. “The guy was a cocky son of a bitch who got what he deserved, but he sure knew how to pick supplies.” Nat paused with the spoon partway to his mouth. “We’ll need to go back there. It’s not right that there was no consequence for what she and her man did to Wayne. And we get kicked out for standing up for ourselves? No, that’s not right, not at all.”
The other men made sounds of agreement.
“Don’t you think that’s not, right?” Nat asked, looking at me.
“No, it’s not right at all,” I said quickly, knowing it was already too late. “Can I get you more soup?”
His gaze swept over my face.
“No. I’m not hungry for food anymore. Let’s go cuddle, Shelby.”
He set his bowl down and stood, holding out a hand to me. The men around us smirked and chuckled, thinking they knew what Nat had in mind. They didn’t. Nat was discreet with what he did to me.
I took his hand, trying not to tremble, and let him lead me to the tent. My gaze strayed to the iron balcony, and I briefly thought of running. It wouldn’t do any good. I had nowhere to go. Nowhere that Nat wouldn’t come looking for me. My stomach twisted with the knowledge, and I hoped Matt and June would be smart enough to watch for Nat’s retaliation in the days to come.
The fey near the tree moved, catching my attention.
“I think he’s leaving,” I said, hoping for a last-minute distraction.
“Good,” Nat said.
My feet dragged.
“Please, Nat,” I whispered, unable to stop myself.
“In the tent, Shelby.”
The damn tears let loose without my permission, and I sniffled. His hand tightened around mine, and he hauled me to the orange tent, ignoring any hint of resistance as he shoved me inside. I fell to my knees on a sleeping bag. The sound of the zipper pierced the space.
“I was so worried about you, Shelby-baby, when I came to, bound and gagged. All I could think of was how we’d left you to keep watch. What could have happened to my wife to stop her from calling out a warning? It must have been bad.”
He pushed me down, turning me so we faced each other, and his hands circled my throat.
“Was it bad, baby? How did they hurt you?”
“Please, Nat. Don’t do this,” I rasped. He pulled back and hit my stomach. I grunted in pain but didn’t fight him as he ripped open the button of my jeans. Fighting back always made it worse.
He yanked the material down my legs, keeping me pinned with a hand on my throat.
“Not a new mark on you,” he murmured. He lifted his gaze to mine. “I’m so glad you’re safe, baby.”
I closed my eyes and focused on the sensation of the tear rolling down my cheek. A soft sob escaped me, and he leaned in and kissed me roughly.
“I love you, Shelby. You’re everything to me.”
He shoved my underwear down and finally released me to unbutton his pants.
