Page 184 of Whispers of Wisteria

My thoughts froze as the static in my ears grew stronger. I couldn’t feel them yet, but deep purple, red, and blue marks were already blossoming across my skin.

I squeezed my eyes shut, pulled the garment tighter, and wrapped my arms around my stomach.

Titus’s attention moved lower, and he traced his finger along the hem of my skirt. It was ripped beyond repair, and my tights were barely held together.

My outfit was ruined.

He had to have a general idea of what’d happened—he’d said he could smell them; he’d asked if they were dead.

But it hadn’t felt real until now.

I’d almost been raped.

There were other, more important things to focus on, but my thoughts were stuck in a loop.

My usual coping methods weren’t working anymore. I couldn’t think of anything else, which was stupid, because nothing had happened.

I’d gotten away.

So why did it feel the same?

A sob hitched in my throat as the final thread that was holding my sanity in place snapped.

I couldn’t breathe as his arms closed around me, and he pulled me into the suffocating cage of his embrace. “I’m sorry.”

I opened my eyes and held on to his arm, trying to stay grounded. I couldn’t see anything past his huge chest, but I didn’t need to.

He would keep me safe.

“This shouldn’t have happened.” His voice rumbled low against my neck. He rubbed my back and added, “And I’m sorry you had to take care of it on your own.”

My grip tightened, and the tight noose that had been wrapped around my heart loosened.

“But I’m proud of you,” he said. His sincerity reached through my broken thoughts. “You did good.”

There was no way he knew what I’d actually done, but still…

The sentiment made me feel a bit better.

28

“There you are.”Jameson’s voice cut through the air. He was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “I thought you’d have escaped by now.”

My breath choked, and—before I realized that I’d moved—I buried my face into Titus’s shirt.

He was the one who’d started it all.

Titus grew still as stone. He was still touching my back, but his aura had shifted into something powerful and menacing.

“This is your fault,” he said. “She’s hurt because you’ve changed sides.”

Jameson’s brows lifted. “At least I know that what you’re carrying isn’t stable. Tell me, why didshehave to saveyou?”

Titus stopped breathing.

“You don’t deserve rescue,” Jameson continued flatly. “But as you’re useless, I’ll let you leave—go, jump out for all I care.”

He turned his attention to me again, face unreadable, and added, “However, she’ll be staying with me.”