Arrogant Heir (The Heirs #2) - Michelle Heard Page 0,32

still hasn’t moved her left arm from where it’s wrapped around her waist.

Fear fucking radiates off of her, and it makes me inch a little closer. I move slowly as I reach for her, and when she doesn’t flinch away, I wrap my arm around her and pull her back against my chest. I feel the tension ease from her shoulders as she leans against me, and when she lets out a breath as if she’s been holding it for hours, I tighten my hold on her.

“I’m not going anywhere. If you need me to hold you until you feel safe again, then I’ll hold you for as long as it takes.”

Mila shakes her head, and pressing her forehead against my shoulder, she whispers, “This thing has disrupted everyone’s lives enough.”

My stubborn girl.

The thought makes the corner of my mouth lift slightly.

“Okay, then I’ll just hold you because I need to. Deal?”

Mila lifts her head, and pulling back, she looks up at me. A frown mars her forehead, and there’s a flash of heartache on her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think of how you must feel.” She places her hand against my chest, concern tightening her features. “Are you okay?”

How do I answer that question? I’m not okay because she’s not okay.

Knowing I can’t say that to Mila, I smile at her. “I’m fine, Mila. I just need to be here for you. Will you let me do that?”

Her eyes start to shine, and her chin quivers, and it has me leaning into her until our foreheads touch. When she nods, I let out a breath of relief.

I pull back and press my lips to her forehead. My eyes drift shut, and I can’t bring myself to pull away yet.

The door behind us opens, and glancing over my shoulder, I see Mr. West come into the room, followed by a policewoman and a doctor.

I begin to get up from the bed, and my moving out of the way has Mila’s eyes falling on the two women. I watch as Mila’s whole body shrinks while she slowly sucks in a deep breath. Pain flashes over her face, and then she starts to shake her head. “No.” Her breaths are shallow as they rush over her lips while she struggles to climb off the bed.

The doctor immediately stops walking. “Miss West, I’m Doctor Kelly Bower. I’m one of the psychologists here at Ojay Valley Memorial.”

Mila frantically glances at the window as if she’s actually considering using it as an exit. I rush around the bed, and the instant I take hold of her shoulder, she darts forward and slams into my chest. Feeling Mila cower against me strips me of the last of my restraint.

Mila’s the only one that matters now. I’ll do everything in my power to protect her and make her feel safe.

I wrap my arms tightly around her, and glancing over my shoulder, I shake my head so they don’t come closer. “Does she have to talk to you now?”

The doctor gives us a comforting smile. “No, we can come back later. She should talk to Officer Lane as soon as possible, though.”

“I…” Lifting her head, Mila gives me a pleading look, her voice filled with desperation, as she whispers, “Not now. I can’t remember much anyway.”

“I’ll leave my card, and you can contact me as soon as you’re ready,” Officer Lane says. “The sooner, the better. Every detail will help in the case against Mr. Green.” She hands the card to Mr. West before they all leave the room.

When we’re alone, Mila’s whole body is trembling, but she still lets go of me. She wraps her arms around her waist, and ducking her head low, she takes a step backward.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” she whispers.

Knowing I can’t follow her, I wait for the door to shut behind her before I rush out of the room.

Stepping into the hall, I hear Dr. Bower say, “…another factor that impacts the degree of trauma is how helpless the victim felt. For some individuals, memories of the events are fragmented and disconnected. It takes time for the victim to be able to place the pieces of the traumatic event into a chronological narrative. We have to be patient. It’s a long process.”

Victim.

The word grinds against everything inside of me, but I know it won’t help if I lose my shit right now. Stepping closer to the group, I ask, “Do you need Mila’s statement? Won’t mine be enough