turn and walk back to their car.
“You want to try something else to eat?”
The thought of food makes my stomach turn. I shake my head. With Brick’s arms still around my waist, I turn in his embrace and look up at his face.
I’ve stared at his face numerous times over the past week. I have him memorized right down the almost invisible freckle that’s on the corner of his eye. His beard is looking a little more wild than usual, but that’s probably because, for some insane reason, he refused to leave my side for very long at the hospital.
I find myself wondering why I constantly try to memorize everything I can about it, but I know the answer. In case I get taken again, I don’t want to forget a single thing about the man who owns my heart and doesn’t even realize it.
Chapter Eight
Brick
I made Jessa a small protein shake before showing her to her room. She looks exhausted and needs all the sleep she can get. I hate that she isn’t completely healed from her captivity, but there’s a possibility that she may never be.
Sure, we can get her weight back up and maybe even her voice back, but her mind could forever be damaged because of what happened, especially if we can’t find the bastards who took her.
“If you need anything at all, I’ll be in the room right next to yours,” I tell her.
She writes something, and I wait.
Would it be alright if I took a shower?
“Of course. The bathroom is right across the hall from our rooms. I’m going to run downstairs and help mama clean up. Your bag is already over there on the bed. The bandage on your ankle is waterproof and should be fine in the shower.”
After nodding that she was okay, I bend and kiss her forehead. Leaving her is the last thing I want to do, but I can tell that she needs a little space.
“Mama, put me to work,” I walk into the kitchen and wait for instructions.
“We have everything taken care of,” Bella says. “We put your plate in the microwave in case you wanted to finish your dinner.”
“Thank you, darlin’.” I retrieve my plate and consume the rest of the food.
“Listen, brother,” Chains walks into the kitchen, holding Sophia. “I’m taking Bella and Sophia over to Hawk and Slim’s place. Then Ink and I will be staying in the guest house in case we’re needed.”
“I do appreciate it,” I tell Chains. “But you have a family, brother. That should be your main focus. Jessa is safe here, and I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”
“Regardless, we’ll both be nearby if we’re needed. My girls will be safe with Hawk. During the day, we will go to work and come back before the sun sets. Your dad said that there are fifteen farm hands on duty on any given day. You might want to let them know to keep an eye out for anything or anyone strange.”
Knowing that anything I say will be useless, I relent.
“Already sent out the message to every worker,” my dad says, kissing mama on the head. “Jessa has dozens of eyes watching out for her.”
This is my family. I expected nothing less from any of them. But I’m beyond speechless, nonetheless.
“Oh, Adam, sweetheart,” mama walks up to me and pats my chest. That’s usually her sign that I need to sit down, so she didn’t have to look so far up. I grin, thinking that my Jessa is about the same height and will need to keep a lookout for those signs from her.
I sit at the kitchen island.
“Your friend, Trigger, called a few minutes before you came back downstairs. He said that he’s coming over and will be staying in one of the extra rooms. He was also adamant that you keep your thoughts to yourself because he’s going to do whatever the hell he wants.”
“Sherry,” my father says, shocked.
“I was just relaying the message,” she defends. “He says that Thea and Brendon will be staying with Bear. Although Thea was giving him a hard time while I was on the phone about leaving her behind.”
I laugh, knowing just how much of a pain in the ass that woman can be when it came to getting what she wants. Thea and I have a close friendship, much to Trigger’s dislike. I’m sure she’ll be calling multiple times a day to check on Jessa.
“Alright,” Ink shouts. “Looks like we’re having a sleepover.