‘I will. I’m pretty sure she’ll miss you too. You’re welcome to come visit any time you like. I appreciate everything you’ve done for her over the years, mate. I know she’s very fond of you.’
I’m quite concerned for his wellbeing as he gets back into the car to leave. The shit is going to hit the fan when he gets back to M’s. I feel like a prick for putting him in this position, he seems like a decent guy. I hope he doesn’t suffer any fallout from the decisions I’ve made.
I wait until he reaches the end of the driveway before I turn and walk up the front stairs. Now to face the music with Jade. I hope she doesn’t hate me for what I’ve just done.
JADE
Butterflies churn in my stomach as I wait for Brock to re-enter the house. I have no idea why he needed to see Rupert alone, but it concerns me. Maybe he’s going to ask him to keep a closer eye on me. There’s no need for that. Rupert takes great care of me. I’d be lost without him in my life. I know he’s under M’s iron rule just as much as I am, but he helps me out whenever possible.
Minutes pass and Brock still doesn’t return. Pulling my phone out of my bag, I check the time. What’s taking them so long? M is going to be pissed off if we don’t leave soon.
My head snaps up the moment the front door opens. The solemn look on Brock’s face does nothing to ease my mind. My heart starts to beat out of my chest as he approaches me.
‘What’s going on?’ I ask.
‘You’re staying here.’
‘What?’ Has he requested me for another night?
‘Jade,’ he says, pulling me into his arms. I can hear his heart beating rapidly as my face rests against his chest. ‘I can’t send you back there in good conscience. Not now that I know the truth.’
I put my hands on his abdomen and push away before taking a further step back. ‘What do you mean I’m not going back there? I have to go back,’ I blurt in a panic. Of course I don’t want too, but I know I don’t have a choice. God, what has he done? Brock’s delusional if he thinks he can refuse to take me back without consequences. My hands are trembling as I cover my face with them. Images of what she did to one of the girls who tried to leave the profession flash through my mind.
This will not end well.
‘I’m not sending you back there, Jade. That’s final.’
I can tell by the forceful tone of his voice that he means what he’s saying. Has he lost his fucking mind? No one makes demands like this to M. Nobody tells her what to do. She’ll rip him apart, and me for that matter.
‘Look at me, sweetheart,’ he says, pulling my hands away from my face and crouching down slightly so we’re at eye level. When my eyes meet his, he gives me an unsure smile. ‘I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise. You’re safe with me.’
‘You don’t know her like I do, Brock—she’s ruthless.’
‘I’m not afraid of her,’ he states matter-of-factly.
‘You should be.’ M’s middle name might as well be crazy-arse-she-devil-bitch.
‘Well, I’m not. I’ll protect you. Please tell me you’re not angry at me for doing this. I can’t bear the thought of you going back there. I want you here with me.’
Tears rise to my eyes. I’m so overwhelmed. Am I actually free of her—and my shitty life?
‘Are you happy to stay here with me? At least for the interim, anyway. Until we sort this mess out.’
‘Yes … no … I, um, I don’t know.’ Is this really happening? ‘I want to be wherever you are,’ I wanted to say. Even though it’s the truth, I had no intention of telling him. I don’t want him to think I’m clingy or needy, because I’m not. I’ve been alone all my life. I’m used to rejection. Nobody has every truly wanted me.
Raising my head, I make eye contact with him again. ‘I don’t want to go back there, but she’s not going to just roll over and accept this.’
‘She doesn’t have a choice. My mind is made up.’
His words surprise me, but annoy me as well. ‘Do I even get a say in this?’ I snap as I put my hands on my hips. I’m hurt by the statement he just made. Don’t get me wrong, I love that he feels so protective towards me, but I refuse to be dictated to. I’ve had to deal with shit all my life—I refuse to let him do it to me as well.
‘Of course you have a say, as long as it doesn’t involve you going back to work for her.’
I narrow my eyes at him.
‘Don’t look at me like that, Jade. I’m not trying to control you, I’m trying to protect you.’