“I know, Emma … But I can’t just leave her like that. Helpless and injured.” She tries for a smile, but I just stare at her impassively.

“Is that the issue?” Jake’s voice breaks in, he’s at the door with his cell in his hand, as though he’s just used it. Walking back in at the opportune time.

“She has no one else.” Sophie answers him, glancing at me warily. I experience a pang of guilt but push it down. She has no clue how complicated my relationship with my mother is. I watch as Jake frowns, his eyes losing focus for a second as he thinks something through. Even standing like that, the heat of attraction surges through me still and I push it away.

“If I arrange for someone to care for her, until she’s well, Sophie. Will you come with us? … Today?” he’s in negotiation mode. Mr. Business. and watching him lifts my heart. I knew from the second he met Sophie that he had taken an instant like to her, I knew he would help her. Jake is that kind of person.

“Maybe,” she says quietly, mulling it over in her mind.

“If I can go see her and tell her myself,” she adds softly. My heart lifts, hopeful and satisfied that he just gave me an answer to this problem. The sooner I detach this girl from this situation the better. I could kiss him right now; he is just beyond amazing sometimes.

“It’s a deal then, Sophs.” He beams at her, dazzling and charming.

“I’ll call an agency this morning and hire a live-in nurse until she’s fully recovered … On me.” He flits to me as though asking for my permission, but I just shrug, a smile creeping over my face. At this moment, I could not love him any more, he is just everything to me.

***

sure about not going in and I glare at him coldly. He clamps his mouth shut and looks away. His jaw tenses in agitation,

own mother is everything you could want in a parent. Kind, caring, protective, and loyal. She

being her carer, protector, and mother. Fighting off aggressive men she brought home. I bought my baseball bat with money from a news delivery job at eleven and I used it more than once to shield her from overly violent arguments with her current beau. Even at such an early age; my fire and rage uncontrollable. It saved me from advances so many times. Men pushing the line into perversion, but I fought back, said no, and erupted. I have been hit so many times, but for each strike, I would lash back. It was never worth their while to pursue it. A crazy little fireball of spitting rage, wielding fists at them. Ray on the other hand, was truly a monster and the fighting back only

to break you down and make you feel guilty. It is just one of the many reasons I can’t walk into that

doesn’t however, he stands his ground,

she’s in here, one look will tell him everything and he has that stubborn air on; the one which means he isn’t going to take no for

who wouldn’t? Look

one. He’s appraising her face, his eyes moving to her broken arm, the bruised swollen chaos. I slide up beside him glaring coldly, but he only raises an eyebrow at me, and I know what he’s thinking. He knows

changed your mind,” she wells up, sounding pitiful and childish. I force down the wave of guilt and emotion. I won’t let her get under my

had a choice.” I glare at Jake again, who at least has the sense to step back and shove his hands in

he pulls a hand free again and waves awkwardly at her. “I’m Jake Carrero … Emma’s …umm Boss.” His eyebrows twitch as though he feels stupid introducing himself that way. My anger simmers: I don’t see shy and

you, Jake … I’m sure Emma told you about my car accident,” she lies easily, and I roll my eyes and clench

not

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