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“I would’ve made certain he never touched you again,” he admitted.
“I know,” she whispered. More tears spilled over. She glanced at Chad. He looked uncomfortable and out of place. It was an unfamiliar look for him.
Sophie pushed out a heavy breath. She’d known this reveal would be horrific. Malik was as patient and kind to her as ever. She had healed, but seeing him suffer because of her pain brought everything to the surface again. If only he could hold her and they could heal fully … together.
“That’s why you didn’t tell me?” Malik asked, his voice gravelly. “Because you didn’t want me to thrash him and end up in prison?”
“Partially,” she admitted, biting her lip. She had to get this all out, push through the pain so they could figure out what to do next. “Treven knew how deeply I loved you, so he threatened you to control me. He told me he’d … do awful things to you.”
“What kinds of—” Malik began.
“Please.” Sophie held up a hand. “Please. I’ve prayed and tried for six years to bury the words he said and still sometimes they surface. Torture. The most vile kind of torture, all right? Worse than what his friends or cronies did to poor Jonathon who was only trying to help me.” She fought more tears. “Please don’t make me spell it out more than that.”
Malik’s brows rose. He straightened his ruined tie, his rumpled and ripped shirt showcasing the muscles in his upper body. “It’s horrifying what happened to Jonathon, but Soph … You believed Treven Rindlesbacher was capable of torturing me?”
“I did,” she admitted. Unable to meet his gaze, she studied his taut upper body. “I realize how tough and brave and princely you are, Malik, but he is a depraved psycho who is encouraged and aided by his father and their minions. I saw photos of Jonathon, had to confirm it was him, and later had a note on my pillow that said no other man would have me and he’d do worse to you if I told anyone. I know it was Treven. Even from prison, he can hurt us. He could and would do horrific things to you. That’s one of the reasons I let everyone believe Sunny was Jonathon’s child and why I’ve kept this secret for so long.”
Silence fell in the room. Sophie could only hear their breathing. Memories of his words resurfaced, and her throat threatened to close. “I hope he won’t hurt you now that I’ve told you the truth.”
Should she have held the truth in? Had she made a mistake?
Malik strode to her chair. He dropped to his knees and rested his hands on her clasped ones. “Sophie … I am not afraid of Treven or his father.”
Her lip trembled and she let out all the pent-up emotion on a sob. “I am.”
The tears she’d been fighting spilled over. Her body shook. She remembered everything about that awful night, the threats he’d made, and then the mutilation of innocent and kind Jonathon. It gouged her. No matter how strong she’d been raising Sunny alone, turning to the Savior for healing and love, and thinking she was past that night, it resurfaced easily. Especially her fear for Malik.
Chad muttered an oath, something about the foulness of Treven Rindlesbacher.
Malik scooped her out of the chair and into his arms. Sophie startled, then wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. He turned and settled into the chair, cuddling her against his chest and tenderly rubbing her back with one hand as the other secured her to him. Her safe spot. The most exhilarating and perfect arms in the world around her.
“I’ve got you now,” he said softly. “It’s all right. He will never touch you again.” The last words were said fiercely, but everything else about Malik was soft right now. Soft for her.
Sophie melted into him, wanting to believe him like he’d always believed in her. She wanted nothing more than to never leave his side. This man would hold her, watch over her, and never let anything bad happen to her or her daughter.
She yearned to arch up and kiss him. Malik’s kiss could heal her, strengthen her, inspire her, make her world full of light and happiness, and restore the innocence and joy that Treven had ripped from her soul.
“Thank you, Malik,” she whispered. Glancing up at him, she was instantly captivated by his blue eyes. Her body arched up toward him of its own accord.
Chad softly cleared his throat. Malik shot him a dark look.
She appreciated Chad reminding her they weren’t alone, though she wished he’d quietly slipped out of the room and let her kiss Malik for a few hours. Sadly, they didn’t have time for reconnection and kissing. Not now. Maybe not ever, if Sunny and Malik’s family were in danger. He’d already lost his mum. Sophie did not want this brave man losing anyone else he loved.
This was not the right moment to reconnect and heal. She couldn’t give in to her desire to love and be with Malik when her daughter was at risk and the Rindlesbachers were obviously plotting nefarious things against Malik’s family. Did Sunny play into those plans, or was Naomi Rindlesbacher wanting a toy granddaughter to dress up and parade around like she would a purse dog?
Keeping Sunny and Malik safe were the focus, as they’d been for the past six years of Sophie’s life. She swiped at the makeup that was surely under her eyes, drew a strengthening breath, and forced herself to be independent. She slid off his lap and onto the chair next to his.
He looked over at her, his eyes now questioning, confused, maybe even wounded. He wanted to hold and comfort her just like she yearned to let him.
“Can you tell me more about what the Rindlesbachers have done to your family?” she asked Malik, trying to refocus.
“Pardon me?” Malik said, smoothing his tie and obviously baffled about why she’d pulled away.
“Did Treven … hurt Derek’s girlfriend Ellery Monson when he tried to kidnap her earlier today?”
“No,” Malik answered. “He threatened and kidnapped her, but never physically touched her.”
“Oh, thank heaven above.”
