“I can’t do this to any of you.”Chin to chest, she started toward the back door.
Hudson followed.“I can’t force you to stick around, nor would I try.All I can ask is that you think twice before you walk out that door, and if you go, that you’ll allow me to come with you.”The pit of tension deep in his chest threatened to explode and burst through his ribcage.He caught her gaze as her hand rested on the knob.“I would be a wreck if I didn’t know that you were okay.Going back to Jarek isn’t the answer.”
Cassie didn’t move.She bit down on her bottom lip, and her gaze unfocused like she was searching inside herself for the right answer.He understood her predicament.Stay, and she risked getting people she barely knew hurt, while a newly pregnant person was used as a pawn against her.Leave, and she would be walking into the arms of the person who would do her the most harm.
“He’s a liar,” Hudson continued.“Which means Nikki could end up hurt or dead, either way.The damage is done.Let’s not make it worse.Besides, he’ll keep her alive if he thinks he can use her for a trade, if that turns out to be the case.”
Cassie took in a long, slow breath and kept chewing on her lip.
“He won’t harm her while you’re here.He’d risk losing his bargaining chip.”He studied her expression and got a green light to keep going.“You walking out the door alone is the surest way for Nikki to end up hurt.”
“He’s right,” Conrad said from the other side of the room.“I can imagine how difficult this decision is for you.Just know that everyone in this family will support whatever you decide while doing everything we can to bring Nikki back safely.”
Owen stepped up next.“I’ve been in Nikki’s shoes.I’ve been used as bait to bring someone out into the open.I think I speak for her, and all of us, when I say that getting Travis involved really is the best course of action.Nikki is intelligent and has been in danger before.She’ll also be working to free herself.”
On a sharp exhale, Cassie said, “Okay.I’ll hold off and give this more thought.”
Relief flooded Hudson.Going off half-cocked never helped a situation, and he couldn’t lose her.In the short time they’d known each other, he’d told her more than he’d told the people he’d known his entire life.
Accepting help was already a big leap of faith for Cassie.Hudson wouldn’t hold his breath that she would agree to open up to the sheriff.
“You don’t have to do this all by yourself,” Chloe continued.“We’re all here for you and will stand by your side.No one should have to suffer more abuse at the hands of an asshole.He should be brought to justice.”
“Agreed,” Cassie said.“But this is so much bigger than him.He has contacts that could do serious—”
“Who might want to distance themselves from someone the law is watching.”Chloe’s well-timed interruption looked to be working.Cassie was building up a powerful story in her mind that caused visible stress.She hadn’t let herself consider other outcomes.
Cassie looked directly at Hudson.“Do you think I should speak to the law?”
“I do,” he said.“Not just anyone, though.Travis can be trusted.He’s dealt with delicate situations before, and he’s family.He cares about Nikki as much as we do.”
Heads nodded as the sound of a vehicle pulling up caused a distraction.Owen ran over to the window.
“It’s the doc,” he said before excusing himself.
Cassie stepped away from the back door to allow passage.“If that’s what you think is best,” she said to Hudson.“I’ll speak to the sheriff.”
“Chloe?”Hudson said, glancing over his shoulder.
“He’s been delayed but is still on his way.”She was already fishing her cell out of her pocket as Owen led the doc inside the kitchen.
“Is there a place we can go and talk?”Cassie asked Hudson.
He nodded before taking her hand in his, noticing how small hers was by comparison and yet how well it fit.She fit.
Once they were safely inside Beaumont’s old office, Cassie turned to face him and then reached for his other hand.Eyes wide, she said, “I’m not used to having so many people around, let alone people who are in my corner.”Her pulse pounded at the base of her throat.
“Big families can be overwhelming at times,” he said softly.
“It’s good, though,” she said, “in the grand scheme of things.I’ve just never relied on someone else to help me make important decisions.I was on my own before Jarek and, after, he made the calls whether I wanted him to or not.”
It was almost impossible to fathom someone as strong as Cassie being controlled by someone else.But then, a talented manipulator was a force that could overcome even the strongest person.Was that how his mother had felt living with Beaumont?Her reason for escaping made more sense to him now that he looked into fearful eyes.Could he find room in his heart to forgive his mother for abandoning the family?
“Here’s the thing,” Cassie said, hesitation in her tone.“Knowing you can trust someone in here,” she pointed to her heart, “doesn’t always translate to knowing you can believe in them here.”This time, she pointed to her forehead.“Does that make sense?”
“Yes.”He cracked a small smile.How many times had logic gone to war with his heart since he’d met Cassie?A whole helluva lot.“It makes perfect sense.”He paused a beat.“You can trust me, Cassie.”
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