Page 206 of Under Her Skin

‘I wanted to say, let me have the details of the owner and I’ll pay for thedamage.’

The dean was silent for a beat. ‘Mr Storm…. the painting wasdestroyed.’

Theo cleared his throat. ‘I know. I’ll pay for it. Dean Roberts…he was trying to kill her. Something infinitely more precious than a painting would have been destroyed. What happened was the result of Gachet’s violent behaviour. Please don’t punish Jess – she was the victimhere.’

The dean sighed. ‘I do know that, Mr Storm. Look…. I can’t say what is going to happen except this will be big news. I don’t know how we can keep your name out ofit.’

‘That’s fine, I don’t expect miracles but tell the truth. Don’t let them crucifyJess.’

He ended the call and rubbed his hands over hisface.

‘Thankyou.’

He looked up at the sound of her voice. She was standing in the doorway, barefoot, her hair tumbling down her back. Her beautiful face was drawn, her eyes tired but she had the sweetest smile on herface.

He gotup and went to her, sliding his arms around her, kissing her softly. ‘You don’t need to thank me foranything.’

‘You saved mylife.’

He stroked her face. ‘I love you. I’d never let anything happen to you.’ She leaned into histouch.

He looked into her eyes and saw a lifetime of hurt and abuse andfear.

‘I want to take care of you – as long as you want me to.’ He kissed her again. ‘So I’m going to ask you this and I want you to think about seriously. Move in with me. Let me look after you. In exchange, you can look after me. A partnership, a forever thing. Live with me,Jessie…’

Live With Me PartFour

Jess pulledher clothes from her drawers and shoved them into her old and battered suitcase. She looked around her bedroom, with its now bare walls and stripped down queen-sized bed. A palpable sadness had settled in her chest but she knew now she couldn’t stay here. Jules was out of control and Theo had offered her safe harbor. She’d be a fool to turn thatdown.

Theo poked his head into the bedroom and smiled at her. ‘That ready to go?’ He nodded at hersuitcase.

‘I’ll be just aminute.’

Theo came into the room then, took her shoulders and made her look at him. She knew what he was seeing; wounded eyes, black and purple marks on her neck, defeat. She moved to hold him, wanting to reassurehim.

She lookedat Theo’s anxious face. ‘I’m okay.’ He smiled at her but she could see he wasn’t convinced. She let him go and he watched as she walked over to the suitcase and lockingit.

‘Thanks for doing all this,’ she smiled at him. ‘I don’t know where I’d be without you. Probably dead.’ She tried to smile but regretted her words when she saw the pain in his face. ‘Sorry. It’s just everything is… I’m finding it difficult to believe any of this is real. At the same time…’ She touched her bruised throat and gave a shortlaugh.

Theo stayed silent. Jesssighed.

‘Come on, baby. Let’s get out ofhere.’

She moved into the living room, towards the door but, as she passed him, she stumbled a little. Theo saw her legs give way and caught her. She was shaking badly but dry-eyed as he heldher.

‘Jesus, Jesus…’ she whispered. Theo buried his face in her hair but she pulled away and looked up athim.

For a moment, she thought about the attack and a brief flash of fear cross her face. Theo sawit.

He bent down and kissed hergently.

‘I won’t let him anywhere near you, don’tworry.’

‘It’s not just me I’m worriedabout.’

He frowned. Jess smiled at him but her eyes wereserious.

‘He hates you, Theo, if he hurtyou…’