Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(27)

“Okay.”

She and Hadley stayed at my house last night, mainly because I was able to convince her that she needed someone to help her move around because she can barely walk upright. The doctor verified that she has three broken ribs and there is extensive bruising. His handprint is on her arm, and there is a purple mark on her cheek from when he slapped her, but she didn’t need stitches. I don’t have any intention of leaving her side.

Not because I want to control her but because I want to protect her, which is where I’m struggling to keep myself in check. Ellie had no choices and no way to leave, and it made her feel helpless. My stepping in and protecting her by trying to tell her how to handle things isn’t something I can do.

I don’t want Ellie to have another man take from her. So, I’m choking down every response I would normally give that would leave zero room for negotiation and trying to get her to come to the decision I want. If she doesn’t, which is something that hasn’t happened yet, I’ll have to pivot.

Sheriff Mendoza explained that today would determine if they keep Kevin in jail until the trial or if he makes bail and is released on his own.

If he’s released, I don’t know how I’m going to respond, and I don’t know if Ellie has a plan for if that happens.

I park the car, and Ellie reaches for the handle, but she doesn’t move to open the door. “I can’t do this.”

“Yes you can.”

“No,” she says with a hitch in her breath. “I can’t. I can’t see him.”

I get out of the car, go around to the passenger side, and open her door before squatting so we’re eye to eye. “He can’t hurt you. He’ll have to get through me to even come close to you.”

Her hand lifts, and she touches my cheek for a brief moment. “You owe me nothing, Connor.”

I’m not sure what she means by that. “I’m not here because I feel indebted to you. Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know, but I also don’t know why you’re doing this.”

“Because I care.”

“You care?”

How does she not see? “I care about you and Hadley. You have no idea how many nights I dreamed of you, Ellie. I didn’t know your name or anything but your face and how you saved me that night. Your smile, your eyes, the way you gave me trust and hope when I had none is what kept me alive. Night after night, I would replay it in my head, dreaming of my angel who came down from heaven, making me want to keep fighting. So, I may not owe you, but I do care about you. I’m doing this because I can’t imagine doing anything else but being here for you. I’m doing this because you are fucking brave and strong and no one ever deserves what was done to you. You got Hadley and left. You knew that your daughter needed you to choose her, and you did. So, you have to do it again now. You have to fight and walk in there with your head held high. I’ll be right beside you.”

She releases a heavy breath, turmoil clear on her face. “You say these things to me.” Her voice catches, and she has to clear her throat. “I’m not brave, but I want to be. I have so many things I want to say to you, but my head is such a mess.”

“I’m not asking for anything. I just want you to know that you’re not alone.”

“I want to be the woman you see.”

I know how that feels. I stand and extend my hand to her. “Then show me.”





Chapter Twelve


Ellie





I place my hand in his and exit the car, garnering courage from him with each step I take. He thinks I’m brave. He doesn’t look at me like I’m a stupid girl who was too weak to leave. Connor sees me as a woman who put her child first and left when that child’s safety was threatened.

Now, I need to feel that strength again. I need to be strong, even though I want to hide in the car and never see him.

When we get to the courthouse doors, the district attorney, who was once good friends with Kevin, is standing there.

“Ellie,” Nathan Hicks says with his hand raised.

My hand moves to Connor’s forearm, and I hold on as we move forward. “Hi, Nate.”

He looks at me, taking in the bruises and cuts that I can’t hide, and his jaw clenches. When his attention moves to the man beside me, his eyes widen. “Connor? Connor Arrowood?”

“Nate, been a long time.” Connor reaches out to shake his hand.

“It’s been years. You left town and none of us ever heard anything again. It’s good to see you. God, I can’t believe it’s really you.”

Connor doesn’t appear to look happy to see him, but Nate is known for being an asshole. “I take it you’re the prosecutor?” he asks.

I start to tremble a bit, but then Connor’s other hand covers mine and squeezes.

“Yes, I am. I didn’t know you knew Ellie . . .”

“He lives next door, and . . . well, I’m sure you read that Connor is who helped on the scene.”

“Yes, of course. I didn’t even put two and two together,” Nate admits. “Well, I’m glad you both are here. This is the preliminary where we see if the judge will detain Kevin—”

My fingers tighten against Connor’s arm because Nate might make this go the other way. What if he isn’t on my side.