Code Name: Genesis (Jameson Force Security #1)(34)
“Onions,” she says as her eyes stay glued to the laptop.
“Onions?” I ask.
She turns to me, her nose wrinkling in distaste. “His breath smelled like onions. And burnt coffee. And I think in ordinary circumstances, it would have made me sick, but I was so scared I didn’t even have time to be sick.”
Bloody hell, but that slays me. Knowing she thought her life was going to end. I’d been in that scenario before, and it’s a fear that’s almost indescribable.
“I was raped,” Bebe says quietly, and my lungs practically deflate at the sudden proclamation. I don’t recall anything in her file about that, so I have to assume it went unreported.
All heads turn to her way, except Joslyn steps in closer and puts a light hand on Bebe’s shoulder in sympathy. Jos’s face is pained, but Bebe’s eyes are clear and her voice is strong as she gives a reassuring smile. “My attacker’s eyes were bloodshot. I don’t know if maybe he was lacking in sleep or maybe he was on drugs, but for the longest time, I would have nightmares about those bloodshot eyes. Except in my dreams, they weren’t naturally red. More like supernaturally red. My point in telling you that is I can promise—over a period of time—those memories will lessen significantly as you process and deal. I can’t say you’ll ever let it go, but it will get easier.”
Christ… now I feel the need to hug Bebe, but I restrain myself. Besides, Joslyn beats me to the punch and leans over to wrap the woman in her arms. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Thank you for sharing that.”
Bebe gives a slight shrug as Joslyn pulls back. “It’s nothing. I put it behind me long ago.”
While her words are strong and her tone staunch, there’s something dark in her eyes that makes me doubt it. Bebe’s been through a lot in the last several years. Blackmailed, arrested, and sent to prison, raped at some point in that time frame.
Torn from her son.
I make a mental note to talk to Dr. Ellery about Bebe. I don’t have any doubts about my hiring of her, but the rape is an added element I need to keep at the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to put her in any scenario that could be harmful to her psyche.
Smiling, Joslyn looks around the kitchen at us. “How about I make breakfast for everyone? French toast?”
“Sounds delicious,” Rachel agrees lightheartedly. “Then Bebe and I have to get packed.”
“Packed?” Joslyn asks as she moves around the island to where Rachel is standing. She brushes by her to reach into the cup cabinet so she can fix her coffee. “Where are you two going?”
“Back to Vegas,” I answer on their behalf. “Rachel has to get back to running the office there, and I’m going to have Bebe go there until we get the Pittsburgh office up and running.”
What I don’t say out loud is I’ve arranged for Bebe’s mother and son to meet her in Vegas for a reunion next week. I know she’s been in phone contact with them, but since she’s jumped right into this case with Joslyn, it’s sort of put her family on the back burner. I want her to get reintegrated into society and family life as quickly as possible. That’s going to go a long way toward her healing.
“Well, I’ll send you off with your bellies full at least,” Joslyn quips as she turns for the refrigerator. “It’s the least I can do for everything you’ve done for me.”
Both Rachel and Bebe smile at Joslyn with a natural fondness that’s developed quite quickly between the women. I wonder when this is all over and done, will Joslyn remain friends with them?
With me?
I mean, surely there’s at least that when we eliminate the threat.
Right?
I don’t know the answer to that. Even if the answer were yes—that we could still be friends—it bothers me more than I care to admit I’m wholly unsatisfied with that.
CHAPTER 16
Joslyn
Harry walks into my bedroom with Lynn following along behind him. He’s got three large wardrobe boxes in his arms, which he gently sits on the end of my bed. “There… all three of these outfits are stunning, but my recommendation is to go with the Alexis Mabille. The blue will make your eyes pop on camera.”
Harry and Lynn have come over today to do preparation for my appearance on Cara Peterson tomorrow. I’ve been a little out of sorts since Bebe and Rachel left about an hour ago, and I’ve been hiding in my bedroom ever since. Kynan set up a temporary office in my kitchen. I feel like I’m intruding if I go in there, or even the great room into which the kitchen naturally bleeds. I didn’t realize how much of a buffer Bebe and Rachel were between Kynan and me until they were gone. But the minute we watched their Uber pull away to take them to LAX and Kynan reset the alarm to lock us securely inside, I felt completely vulnerable without them.
Not that I’m in danger with Kynan or he would hurt me, but that we might have to actually talk about the issues between us. After we left my mom’s last night and flew back from Cunningham Falls, Kynan has admittedly been a lot easier to get along with. He’s tried to make small talk with me, and he hasn’t even glared once. He seems to be over his anger about me not trusting him more twelve years ago, and I also feel the slap I gave him was really all the retaliation I needed.
Still… it makes things confusing now, especially because if I’ve learned one thing since Kynan has come back into my life it’s that I remember just how easy it is to love a man like that. I simply can’t afford to let my heart get broken again, ergo… I’m hiding in my room.