‘By doing whatever it is you’ve just done, you’ve put me in danger. You’ve put both of us in danger. You didn’t even discuss it with me first.’
‘She won’t get anywhere near you.’ He places his hands on my shoulders as he stares into my eyes. ‘I couldn’t risk having you talk me out of this. That’s the only reason I didn’t discuss it with you first. I care about you, Jade. I’ve never cared for a woman like I do you.’
I fight hard to suppress my smile when he says that. I care about him too. Nobody has ever made me feel like this before, but all that is irrelevant at the moment. We have a bigger problem to face—M.
‘You can’t protect me twenty-four-seven, Brock. And what if she does something to you? How am I supposed to live with that?’ Once again, I’m feeling completely overwhelmed. My legs are threatening to give way. ‘I think I need to sit down,’ I say.
‘Come,’ he replies, sliding his arm around my waist and leading me into the main room. The moment he’s seated, he pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. ‘I’m sorry to just spring this on you, but it was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I haven’t thought much beyond right now, I’ll get a more structured plan in place today. I’m confident M will accept my offer.’
‘What offer?’ I ask.
‘I’m not naive enough to think she’d let you out of your contract without payment.’
‘You paid her?’ Jesus. What is it with rich people? They think because they have money, they can use it to buy whatever they like. I’m sorry, but I’m a human being. I’m not for sale. I work for M because she made me feel like I owed her. I don’t owe Brock shit. I go to stand, but he tightens his grip on my waist.
‘Don’t run from me, Jade. I did the only thing I could. Money talks, especially to someone like her.’
‘So you bought me?’
‘No. I bought your freedom, sweetheart.’
I sigh at his words. Although they melt my heart a little, I don’t like this situation. I don’t like it one bit. M thought she owned me. Is that how Brock’s going to see things now?
‘I’m sorry, it’s just, I don’t want to feel indebted to you. That’s what got me into this whole mess in the first place.’
‘You’re not indebted to me. That’s not why I did this. I’m doing it for you, I don’t want you to live like that anymore.’
‘How much did you give her? I want to pay you back.’ I wasn’t in a position to pay M back when she first told me I’d be working for her. I was eighteen and penniless—I’m not anymore.
‘It’s irrelevant.’
‘Please, Brock. This is important to me. I have money in the bank. I’ve been saving everything I’ve earned since I started working for her. It was money for my future. It was what I was going to use to buy my restaurant when my contract had expired. I’d happily give that dream away if it meant I had my freedom.’
‘I’m sorry, but I’m not taking your money, Jade, and that’s final.’
‘Yes, you are,’ I snap. ‘I’m not comfortable with this. I don’t want to feel like I owe you.’
‘Listen,’ he says sternly. ‘You don’t owe me jackshit, Jade. You’re free to come and go as you please. Well, after I know you’re safe, that is.’ He rubs his hands over his face before continuing. When his eyes meet mine again, I can see the uncertainty etched in his features as his voice softens. ‘I’d really like you to stay.’
Everything in me wants to believe him. I want to believe that what Brock and I share is special, and that I really do mean something to him. But when you’ve been let down and screwed over your whole life, it’s hard to trust.
‘I want to be with you,’ he says.
My heartbeat quickens. ‘Why?’ I’m used goods; he couldn’t possibly want me for more than that.
‘Why not?’
‘It won’t work. We’re from two different worlds.’
‘Yes it will,’ he says with confidence.
‘But what if we fall?’ I don’t know if I could take a blow like that. Not where he’s concerned.
‘But what if we fly?’
I love his optimism.
But it’s too much, too soon. I’m not sure I can wrap my head around any of this. All I know is I have that sick feeling in my stomach again. It’s the same one I used to get when I was a little girl. There’s definitely trouble looming, I’ll put money on it.
For the next few minutes, Brock soothingly rubs my back as we sit in silence. I’m happy, but also scared. I’m unsure of what lies ahead, but I’m grateful he’s trying to help me escape M. Even though I’m pretty sure it’s impossible.