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Chapter 9
Jeremy wouldn't let the glaziers come in the house, he made them walk around, and he stayed clear of the door. Taking my stuff into my bedroom, I continued working in there. An hour later, there was a knock on the door. Huffing, I closed my computer and inched the door open to Jeremy's handsome face.
"Can we talk?"
"Just give me the bill, please."
"We've got it."
"Okay." Not even arguing with them about paying for the window repair, I went to shut the door.
"Damn it." Shoving his foot in the door, Jeremy pushed it open, forcing his way inside, then slamming the door behind him. "Enough!"
Whimpering, I backed away. What on earth made me think a place with no neighbors was a good idea? No one could hear me scream here.
"Goddess, I'm not going to hurt you, Vera, so can you stop cowering?"
Shuffling further back, I shook my head.
"Call him and tell him you'll stay. End this nonsense."
Backing into my bedroom, I moved to try and shut the door. Stopping it with ease, Jeremy forced it open. Grabbing me, he set me against the wall. Tucking up in his hold, I covered the sensitive targets of face, neck, and abdomen by curling on myself.
"Vera." Voice soft, Jeremy tucked my hair behind my ear as he breathed over my head, followed by a long inhale. "Vera. Take a breath and look at me?"
Sobbing, I shook my head. That's how they open you up. They use soft words and feign sincerity. You let your guard down for a minute, lift your eyes, and they punch you in the face or grab you by the neck. I didn't beg. I learned long ago that begging makes it worse. It either urges them on or annoys them more. Either way, the result was more pain for me.
Pressing his body forward, Jeremy slid his arms around me and cuddled me, rubbing my back as he soothed me. "I hate seeing you unhappy and scared. I know you could be happy here if you gave it a real chance. If you gave us a real chance."
Hiccupping between sobs, I gasped for breath to respond. "Is that what you wanted to say?"
"It will do for now."
Pushing against his chest, I removed him from me. "Can you please leave?"
With a huff, Jeremy stepped back and turned to leave.
"Jeremy," he looked back at me, "I'm sorry I got you hurt."
Frowning, Jeremy tilted his head, then his brows lifted. "You know?"
Hugging myself, I slid down the wall.
"Vera, it wasn't your fault." Crouching down in front of me, Jeremy patted my hair as he soothed. "The guys shouldn't have chased the buck here."
"You still got hurt because of me." I felt so guilty.
"So, make it up to me. Stay."
Lifting my red-rimmed eyes, a spark of anger flashed in my chest. "I don't get a choice in that, do I?"
Lowering his head in defeat, Jeremy exhaled roughly. "We would all do anything to keep our mate once we found her, Vera. A love like that is a once in a lifetime thing."
"I don't know what love is."
"Then stay and find out." Peering at me from below his heavy brows, Jeremy stood. Caressing my head, he left.
Checking the time on the clock, I crawled to my bed to get my phone. "Vera?" my lawyer answered the call once her secretary put me through.
