Jared (The Protectors #2)(44)
She shook her head. “I know that.” Her sigh filled the room as she plopped on the bed. “It isn’t even that he beat me. I mean, it was, but that wasn’t the worst part.” Seeing his expression Tessa looked away.
Kneeling down in front of her, he placed both hands on her face gently lifting it back to his. “Don’t shut me out.”
“But I sound like an idiot.” Tessa rolled her eyes. “Who in their right mind would think their father beating them wasn’t the worse part?”
“You finally had his attention.” Jared said out loud what she was afraid to admit.
“And how sick is that?” Tessa was totally mortified. “It just wasn’t the kind of attention I wanted. I wanted him to care how I did at school, go to father and daughter stuff…go see Adam play in just one football game. I didn’t want to be invisible to him. The only time after my mother died he knew I was alive was when I didn’t have dinner ready or I didn’t pay the bills on time. Then the only attention he gave was a backhand across the face or a kick with his work boots. There were days I couldn’t go to school because I had a black eye or bruises. He hurt me so bad, but not just on the outside….here.” Tessa put her hand over her heart.
Jared’s face was stone as he listened. He could easily find her father and once this was over and he had time he would do just that. The son of a bitch would pay for hurting her. “Why did he leave?”
“He got in trouble with the law a lot.” Tessa shrugged her shoulders. “That’s how I met Otis. He was new to the county and had taken the job of sheriff. His visits to find my father were many and we started talking. The last night we saw our dad he came in drunk and went after Adam. I hit him with a skillet, which only made him mad and he came after me. Adam called the police. By the time they got here I was unconscious and my dad was gone and we haven’t seen him since.”
“Do you still love him?” Jared still held her face, his thumbs raking softly back and forth against her cheeks.
“Who? Otis?” Tessa frowned. “I don’t know if I ever really loved him.”
“Why do you say that?” Jared questioned, his eyes searching.
“Because you can’t love someone if your heart is broken and mine was broken way before I met Otis.” Tessa held back her tears. She was not going to cry again in front of this man. “I know that sounds so cliché, but it’s true. I’m broken.”
Leaning in slowly Jared whispered a kiss across her trembling lips. It was a kiss of comfort and it warmed her from the inside out. He pulled back slightly his eyes close to their golden hue. “You’re not broken Tessa.”
“I feel broken.” She mumbled, looking away embarrassed. “I have never told anyone this….and have no clue why I’m telling you?”
“Some call me the Dr. Phil of the warrior world.” Jared shrugged, his face a mask of seriousness. “I’ll send you my bill.”
Still not looking at him Tessa tried not to giggle, but even with all the seriousness in the room she couldn’t help it. “Do you take payments cause I’m tapped out. I kind of lost my job when someone beat up my boss.”
“I’m sure we can work something out.” He winked before turning serious again. “I don’t play games Tessa. I get that you’ve been hurt and if I could change that I would, but I can’t. I go after what I want without hesitation and I want you.”
“Why?” Tessa’s whisper reached his ears.
“The day you and your brother burst into the interrogation room I was drawn to you and it’s grown stronger. You’re a strong, beautiful woman Tessa and I respect the fighter you are.” Jared stood looking down at her. “I’ve been waiting a long time to meet someone like you. I just ask one thing from you.”
Meeting his gaze goose bumps from his intense stare made her shiver. “What?”
“Trust me.” Those two words lay heavy in the room.
Tessa stood, not taking her eyes off his hoping she wasn’t making the biggest mistake of her life. Grasping his hand she flipped his palm up then placed the vial on his palm before closing his fingers around it. Reaching upon tiptoes she wrapped her arms around his neck. No words needed to be spoken, her actions said it all.
Chapter 19
Tessa couldn’t believe the way the warriors were taking care of them. Not only were they taking care of her, but they were making room for Adam and Jill along with the other half-breeds that had crossed to their side and her grandfather as well. Jared felt her grandfather wasn’t safe at the nursing home and until this was over he would stay in the compound. She had been worried about her grandfather, but he seemed happy as he followed Sid to a room he would be staying in. They were also going to have one of their medical staff, who worked on site, take care of his needs. Jill had helped Tessa pack some things and then they were off. Every worry Tessa had Jared or Sid had already taken care of it.
“You’re going to be staying in my room.” Jared carried her up the stairs and down the hall.
Tessa felt warmth zing through her body. Glancing at him under lowered lashes she knew a night in his bed would be a night she’d never forget. “Ah, okay.”
“I don’t use it much, but with all the new occupants we’ve acquired, we’re giving up our rooms.” He stopped in front of a closed door.