Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Seven

Everett

I am trying to keep my anger at bay. Aubrey doesn’t need to deal with my anger. She is already scared, and I don’t need to add to it. When Hugo told me about her abusive, controlling ex, something snapped in me. If he were still outside of her apartment, I would have the shit out of him. I wouldn’t have stopped unless someone pulled me off him. I had a feeling her last relationship wasn’t good, but I didn’t know how bad it was. It makes me feel more of an asshole with the way I treated her. I know first-hand what abuse can do to a person.

With the ride silent, it makes me get lost in my thoughts. I don’t know if Aubrey will discuss her ex with me and what he did to her. She hasn’t spoken a single word since we climbed into the car. She is staring out of the window, sobbing. I want to reach over and try to comfort her, but I don’t know how or if she wants me to. I’ll let her be until we arrive at mine. Aubrey will be staying with me until Hugo and I talk, come up with a plan of action. There’s no chance in hell she’s going back to her apartment. My protective instincts have kicked in. Instincts that haven’t surfaced for another person since Hugo and I were younger. He is the only person I’ve protected in my entire life.

Arriving at mine, I park and climb out. Aubrey doesn’t move, almost like she is frozen in time. I rush around to the passenger’s side and open the door. Aubrey glances up at me. Her cheeks are wet with tears, and her eyes are puffy from crying.

I crouch down to her level. “You are safe here with me, Aubrey. Come inside.” I say softly, offering my hand to her.

Drawing in a breath, she takes it, eventually. I stand up to help her out. I keep her hand in mine, close the car door and guide us inside. Her hand shakes in mine. She seems terrified of her ex. How badly did he hurt her?

Once inside, I take her to the living room, encouraging her to take a seat on the sofa. I remove the fluffy red blanket from the back of my sofa and drape it over her shoulders.

“Do you want some tea?” I ask.

“Yes, please, peppermint if you have it,” she whispers.

“I do. Will you be okay alone for a few minutes?”

Aubrey pulls her knees to her chest and hugs them. “I will be fine.”

I kiss her forehead and disappear to the kitchen. As I wait for the water to boil, I reach for my cell. Hugo will be waiting for my call. He will be worried about her.

It rings twice in my ear before he answers. “Is Aubrey okay?”

“Aubrey is safe, but she is upset and shaking. She’s scared. How do I comfort her?” I sigh.

“Just being there is enough, Everett. I don’t understand how he found her. I swear, if I find him, I will kill him. I warned the bastard to stay away from her when we managed to get Aubrey to leave him,” he hisses.

“I will help you kill him. He is lucky he wasn’t still hanging around.”

“I know. Thank you for getting to her as quickly as possible. I hate to imagine what would have happened if he had seen her. Erica and I will be over as soon as we can. We need to get back to the city. Erica’s friend is going to come over to watch the kids and dogs while we are gone. We need a plan. Please keep an eye on her. Keep her close until we arrive.”

“I will. I promise. I am making her some tea, and then I will see if she wants to talk. She may not, and I won’t push.”

Hugo thanks me once more before we hang up. I make Aubrey’s tea and join her back in the living room. Passing the mug to her, she thanks mad and takes it. I sit on the sofa next to her.

“Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

Aubrey shakes her head. “No, not right now.”

“Okay. I am here if you change your mind. Hugo and Erica will be here as soon as they can.”

She nods and rests her head on my shoulder. “Thank you for showing up.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I am glad I was close by.” I reply and slip my arm around her.

“I don’t understand how he found me,” she whimpers, her body tensing.

“I wish I had an answer for you, but I promise you, you’ll be safe here. We’ll come up with a plan to make sure. He can’t get to you, Aubrey.” I mean every word I am saying to her.

Aubrey only nods, taking a sip of her tea. I take that as she doesn’t want to discuss it any further. Silence falls between us again. Hugo and Erica will want Aubrey to stay with them. It would be the best option for her. I would suggest here, but no matter how grateful Hugo is for my help, he won’t want her staying alone with me. Aubrey, I am sure, would agree. I don’t mind where she stays as long as she is safe and away from that bastard.

Aubrey yawns next to me. I look down and notice she is struggling to keep her eyes open. She will be mentally exhausted.

“Aubrey, do you want to take a nap?”

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You aren’t. You can sleep in my room. Drink your tea in bed and then sleep.”

Aubrey doesn’t fight me on it. We go to my room. I find something more comfortable for her to sleep in. Sweatpants and a tee. She goes to the bathroom to change, and I organise the bed so she can slip straight in.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me sleeping in your bed?” she asks as she returns.

“Of course I don’t mind.” I smile.

She manages a small smile before she climbs in, bringing the covers to her chin, sighing and doesn’t bother with her tea.

“Just call me if you need me.”

“Can you lie with me until I fall asleep?” The nervousness in her voice is evident.

I kick my shoes off without hesitation. “Sure.” I climb onto the bed but stay above the covers.

Aubrey curls into my side, her head on my chest. I caress her hair. “Try and rest, beautiful,” I whisper.

I will stay with her until she falls asleep. I can’t be in bed with her when Hugo arrives, even if it’s innocent. He would not be happy. He has the codes to let himself into mine. Hopefully, Aubrey will talk to him or, at the very least, Erica. She needs to talk with someone, and I don’t believe I am that person. She doesn’t trust me enough for that, and rightly so.