Page 83 of Forever Found
Adam stepped out of the car, lifting me from his lap and setting me on my feet beside him. There was no longer snow on the ground, but it was freezing gold and the wind that whipped around me was biting.
“Adam!” Kane came jogging over to us as I settled myself in front of Adam, grateful for the heat of his body surrounding andsheltering me. “I need you to make sure one of you stays with Addy at all times.” Kane went on, and I saw the worry on his face.
“Kane, I’m okay. I’m not gonna do anything stupid,” I whispered, ashamed I needed to say it.
“It’s not that, angel. The security team is still low on numbers and the new guys I hired don’t start until next week. With the threat over you, I don’t want you left alone, okay?” he leaned in and pressed his forehead to mine. “You told me you’d try and I believe you, okay? I believe you,” he added more gently.
“Okay,” I agreed tearfully. The fact he said he believed what I had told him the night before meant more than he could know to me.
“We’ve got her, man. Just take care of your sister, and let us know if you need anything,” Adam offered. “Oh, and Addy wanted a family dinner tonight if you and Jenny are up for it. If not let me know and I’ll bring some food to your place for you both.”
“Appreciate it, Ad,” Kane said with a nod. He leaned down again until we were eye to eye, then his lips were on mine, the kiss slow and meaningful, if a little short. “I’ll just be at my place if you need me. I want you to call me if things get dark in here again,” he said as he tapped my temple.
“But Jenny…”
“Jenny’s tougher than she looks, and she’s safe here now. You need me, I’m there, yeah? I don’t ever want you to doubt that.”
“’kay,” I agreed a little tearful at his determined words. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek softly. “Try to eat something for me, please.”
He and Adam shared a look I couldn’t decipher, then Kane turned away. I had noticed the little looks between the three of them – Adam, Kane, and Jordan – over the last few days. It was like the relationship between us all had given them some silent unspoken form of communication that they used to talk about me, not to me. It might have annoyed me if I didn’t have far more pressing issues trying to tear me down.
“There you are!” Jordan cried, sounding relieved as Adam and I walked into the house. Jordan jumped up from where he’d been working on his laptop on the sofa and stalked right over to me, gathering me up into his arms and holding me just a little too tight, not that I complained. “Everything alright?” he asked as he held me. I reached up on my toes and kissed him briefly then pulled back and smiled a little.
“Better now,” was my answer, making him smile too. “Kane took his sister to his house. She’s pretty shaken up.” I added, but I remained pressed against Jordan, since he seemed in no hurry to let me go.
“That asshole beat her pretty bad. She has a ton of bruises and her face was swelling when she got into Kane’s car,” Adam added.
“Is Kane out for blood?” Jordan asked.
“You know it,” I replied. “And he has a right to be. I’d help him if I were up to it. Jenny’s obviously a tough woman, but she was terrified by what that evil asshat did to her.”
“Asshat?” Jordan chuckled. “Steady with the language there, babe.”
Adam was laughing too as I pulled away from Jordan and playfully hit out at his chest.
“Sorry, princess. It’s just so cute the way you hate to curse. Just one of many things I love about you,” Jordan rushed to add as he held his hands up in surrender. “How was the appointment with your therapist?”
“Tough. I had another breakdown,” I shrugged as I leant back against the arm of the sofa, too tired to stand any longer. “I’m being medicated.”
“Medicated?” Jordan looked from me to Adam with more concern. God, I was so sick of that expression. All I wanted was for me to get myself together enough so that I saw other expressions on the faces of those around me.
“Her therapist recommended some anti-anxiety meds, and sleeping pills,” Adam clarified. “Ash went to fill the prescription.”
“But you said no to drugs. Is this what you want, Addy?” Jordan asked carefully.
“No! Of course it’s not what I want, but what choice do I have? If I don’t find a way to pull myself together I’m going to end up locked in some institute, aren’t I?”
“No! I’d never let that happen. Is that how this therapist got you to agree to these drugs, because that’s not only unethical, but it’s also total bullshit. No one is taking you from us, Addy,” Jordan ranted angrily as he turned a glare on his brother.
“Don’t look at me that way. You know I’m with you. No one is ever taking her from us, or making her do anything she’s not on board with,” Adam declared as he held his hands in the air innocently.
“She didn’t say that, Jord, but that doesn’t make it untrue. I’m barely hanging on. I was talking about suicide the other night. I’m sure that gives whoever needs it the power to lock me in a padded room if they so wish,” I sighed.
“You were exhausted. You didn’t mean what you said,” Jordan defended me, and I smiled softly as I met his beautiful eyes.
“I have to try the pills, Jord. As much as I hate the idea of them, I need some help – more than any of you can give me. The mess is in here,” I explained, tapping at my head as I spoke. “I need something that can just quieten things down while I find some strength again. Laura said these pills will help me to feel calmer and more in control.”