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She shook her head, her eyes fixated on the doctor. “I told him my kids were here, but he didn’t care. He seemed so nice. I can’t believe I fell for his act.”

“I know this may be difficult, Miss, but we need you to come to the station to make a statement. An ambulance is on the way, so you can wait until you’ve been checked out.”

“I’m fine, and I’ll tell you whatever you need to know about what he did.”

Bridget was shaking, a normal response after what she went through, Zane felt his respect for her soar after seeing her tap into her inner strength, refusing to let what happen stop her from seeking justice.

Chapter Sixteen

Bridget can’t remember when she’d been so exhausted. Every ounce of strength she had left was being used to keep her sitting upright with her eyes open. After working a twelve-hour shift, then fighting off Seth, giving her statement to the police and dealing with the revolving door of people coming into her house, she had little left to give her niece and nephew...but after what they witnessed, they needed her.

“I’m not arguing with you about this. I would feel better if you go hang out with Sydney and Cole today.”

Marlowe cozied up beside her on the sofa, refusing to let her aunt out of her sight since Bridget’s scream woke her from a sound sleep. Bridget’s heart squeezed painfully at knowing Marlowe and Mathias witnessed her attack. She felt foolish for relaxing her carefully constructed guard for even a few hours. She’d forgotten she had rules for a reason, so she shouldn’t be surprised something like this happened the moment she went against her instincts. She’ll never forgive herself for traumatizing them, adding to all the hardships they’d experienced in their young lives.

Mathias stood like a mountain in front of her, stoic and unmoving. He wasn’t happy with being sent away when all he wanted to do was watch over her. She had no idea how she knew, because he gave nothing away with his unreadable expression, but he was upset he couldn’t protect her against Seth. Even though protecting her wasn’t his job, no amount of reassurance would absolve him of his self-imposed guilt.

She wanted to hold them close, to draw comfort from their concern and their love. She also needed to be alone. Alone, she could succumb to her fear. She could give in to the tears which burned her eyes every time she thought of what could have happened if Zane Wilder hadn’t magically shown up at her door.

So when their new friends offered to spend the day with her kids, she saw the gesture for what it was — a reprieve from Mathias and Marlowe hovering over her.

“I’m not leaving you. Marlowe can go, but I’m staying.”

Bridget recognized Mathias’ stubborn set to his jaw and the scowl creasing the skin between his brows. The expression was so reminiscent of his father Dean that Bridget felt her control on her emotions slip a little more.

“I’m not leaving,” Marlowe said quietly but firmly.

“Please. I need to know someone is watching out for you two.”

Cole, who had been sitting quietly with Sydney and her friend, tried to appear he wasn’t eavesdropping, but she wasn’t surprised when he interjected. “Bridget, do you mind if I say something?”

She shrugged and nodded for him to continue. She braced her elbow on the arm of the sofa and propped her head on her hand. She allowed her eyes to close as Cole talked.

“I know you want to be here for your aunt, but I have to agree with her. You guys have a lot going through your minds right now, and she does too. You don’t have to come with us, but I think the distraction would be good for both of you. Sydney and I would like to take you to breakfast. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. If you want to be quiet, we’re here for that too. Then if you want to come back, we’ll come back.”

Bridget’s eyes flew open, and she stared at the man she considered a friend after a short time. She almost lost the slim hold on her emotions at his gesture, and she glanced from him to Sydney, who smiled warmly and regarded Bridget with friendship and not the pity she expected. She expected them all to judge her for putting herself in a position to be attacked. The fact they didn’t left her shaken.

“You should go.” Zane stood across the room, his gaze trained on the view out the window, but he’d turned to face Mathias as he spoke. “Let yourself forget for a little while. I’ll be here. I won’t let anything happen while you’re gone.”

Bridget wasn’t about to let Zane see her lose her composure, but if his reassurance would get her kids out of the house, she would play along.

Mathias turned away, and Bridget’s heart squeezed painfully. She hated she caused him stress with her mistake.

Her nephew finally turned back around, and she smiled at the acceptance in his eyes. “All right. We’ll go to breakfast. I’m not very hungry, but we probably need to try to eat.”

“No!” Marlowe clung to Bridget’s arm as her head shook furiously.

“Lowe, it’s okay. Aunt Bridge is not going anywhere. She’ll be able to rest better and worry less if she knows we’re safe with Cole and Sydney. We’re doing this for her.”

Bridget loosened her niece’s grip on her arm so she could drape it over Marlowe’s shoulders. “I’m so glad I have you and Mathias here to watch out for me. I love you guys so much. But all I want to do is sleep, so when you do come home, you can tell me what a good time you had with our new friends.”

Marlowe still regarded her aunt with uncertainty, and Bridget managed a weak smile. “It’s okay. Really.”

Cole smiled at Marlowe. “Go ahead and do what you need to. When you’re ready, we’ll go somewhere for breakfast. I don’t know about you, but I could go for a stack of pancakes right now.”

Marlowe appeared forlorn as she went back to her room. Bridget exchanged a glance with Mathias before he followed his sister to his own room. She smiled at Cole, mouthing an exhausted thank you.

Then her gaze landed on Zane, standing at the edge of the room, trying to blend into the background. She was too tired to laugh at his attempt. No way could he not stand out with his imposing form, his chiseled features, great hair and arresting eyes. He met her gaze, and she failed to notice Cole lead Sydney and her friend into the kitchen. Zane shifted his position, and Bridget panicked as he seemed like he was going to approach her. She held up a hand to stop him.