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Pippa and Lady were the first to join them in the mudroom with Jasmine and Brynn not far behind.
“Thank you for coming.” Aaron waved.
“Thank you for having us. This was so fun,” Jasmine agreed. “Bye, guys.”
“Bye.” Brynn smiled, leaning against him again.
He wrapped his arm behind her as their guests left, then released her to lock the door behind them. Turning back to the woman who filled his mind and heart, he asked, “Did you enjoy yourself?”
She nodded, and the corner of her lips turned up as her glazed eyes slowly blinked. God, he would never get tired of her joy.
He walked up to her, and she slipped her hand in his, leading him past the clean kitchen towards the couch in the den. She tripped, but he caught her as she swayed and righted herself again. He sat beside her, and she curled into his side with his arm snug around her. The roaring gas fireplace added a comfortable warmth to the room, flames sending flickering light over her glowing skin, making her eyes sparkle.
He stroked his thumb over her cheek. “You feeling okay?”
She nodded lazily, a contented smile on her expression as she leaned on his arm, her face tilted towards his. “I feel very good. The best I’ve ever felt actually.”
“Really?” He chuckled. “That must be some good wine.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Much better than the red.”
“On our wedding, you told me you didn’t drink.”
“I don’t. Not usually. I mean this was my first time.”
“Ever?”
She nodded. “Back on the compound, alcohol was forbidden. So were a lot of things. If anyone broke the rules, they were punished. But now I can do whatever I want.”
So, was the wine a part of rebellion against the people who had hurt her? The skin on the back of his neck prickled. “Punished how?”
“Depends on the crime. The very least was a public beating. The worst was . . .” Pain replaced the happiness in her glazed eyes, and he hated he was the one to bring up the past that hurt her so much. But he wanted to know all there was about her. How could he help her heal if he didn’t know? But I’m not her therapist.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Is there a chance you want to talk to Bently and see if there is anything that can be done? There is a statute of limitations for most crimes, but—”
Brynn sat up, shaking her head vehemently. “No. No cops. No one can know. My husband will know, he’ll find me and then—”
Aaron’s blood grew cold. “Your husband?”
Brynn’s eyes widened before she slammed a hand over her mouth, as if she could take the confession back.
“Brynn? Are you legally married to someone else?”
Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head. “His father is the leader at the compound. They have people who work for them in the police force there, government, their own lawyers and bank. He can’t ever know where to find me and Dani.”
Aaron pulled her into his arms, tucking her against his body, her legs hanging off his lap. “I won’t let that happen, sunshine. I’ll keep you and Dani safe.”
She trembled in his arms, clinging to him, as if he was her only safety. His hand rubbed her back in what he hoped were soothing circles, and her breath evened out.
“Brynn?”
“Yeah?”
“Is our marriage legal?” He had to know.
She pulled away, her green gaze locked on his. “Yes. I wasn’t . . . my marriage to Paul was only before God. Only the first wife gets the honors of a legal marriage. That’s why he isn’t on Dani’s birth certificate.” She gulped. “I was his sixth wife.”
“Christ.” Aaron cupped her jaw in his hand. What had this woman been through?
