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“Eve, we can’t ignore it. We did all day yesterday, but today we can’t.”
She tensed as if he were going to hit her or something. God, he hated that reaction but understood it. She’d been bullied and pushed around her entire life. First by her parents and then by her brother. She’d never had a say in anything, and now he was about to do the same thing. He hated to do that to her, but it was important they took action before her brother did.
“There’s a missing person’s report on you. I have to take care of that.”
A tremble touched her body. His hands were settled on her waist, and as much as he wanted to move them, pull her closer, they remained where they were. He needed her to know she was in control. That he wouldn’t overpower her or give the appearance he wanted to overpower her at all.
“After we fix that, we’ll file an order of protection.”
She shook her head frantically, her lips pressing together as if forcing a scream to stay hidden.
“I will not let him hurt you. I will not let him get near you. Let me help you. Let me show you how strong I know you are.” His grip strengthened but not enough to hurt. “A woman who runs and hides as well as she did is strong. Make no mistake about that.”
Her eyes lifted to his, parts of her relaxing.
That’s right.
He needed to remind her of all the things she had already done on her own. Of all the ways she had displayed her courage.
“You got away. You outsmarted that asshole.”
A short smile peeked through.
“You moved to a town that celebrates a holiday you don’t care for.”
She gasped, her hands gripping his shirt. “What are you talking about?”
He grinned. “Sweetheart, I notice everything about you because I can never take my eyes off you. I see when a new Christmas song comes on and you can barely control not rolling your eyes. And when you see some of the decorations displayed around town, the disgust on your lips is faint but it’s there. You hate Christmas. Yet you endure it because you’re strong.”
“I thought I hid that well.”
“You did, just not with me.” He wanted to ask why she hated Christmas, but he didn’t want to get sidetracked from a more important issue.
“It’s not just Christmas. I don’t care for any holiday.”
“Not even Halloween? Valentine’s? Easter? Everyone loves the Easter Bunny.”
A sweet but short chuckle left her lips. “Not this girl. Holidays were faked in my family. For the press, it looked like my parents adored us and adored celebrating whatever rolled around. Behind closed doors, nothing was celebrated. Nothing was special. I came to learn those days meant nothing but how good it made us look if we outdid everyone else in presentation and style.”
“I’m sorry for everything you ever endured. It is now my life mission for you to fall in love with the Easter Bunny.”
He didn’t know if it was the way he said it, so seriously, or the determined twist of his lips, but she burst out laughing.
“Why the Easter Bunny?”
“Because that’s my favorite holiday. I love that furry rabbit.”
She dropped her head to his chest, giggling. The sound filled up his soul. That’s all he wanted to hear. Her happiness. For her to feel safe.
Her fingers tightened on his shirt, her nails digging into his skin. The lighthearted moment was over.
“I don’t want to go to jail, Griffin. I can’t bear to see you put handcuffs on me.”
He flinched, pulling her head up to look at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“My fake ID.”
He let out a huge breath, smiling. “I’m not going to arrest you. I’m sure once we explain to Judge Rider the circumstances, it won’t matter what you did.”
