“I have peanut butter and jelly, but I ran out of bread, so I’m using up the crackers I have.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll make you some. When’s the last time you ate, sweetheart?”
“Around ten this morning. I ate at the diner.”
“No more,” he said. “Damn, I’m glad I found you. I’ll be right back.”
Everything he saw, although as clean as she could make it, was garbage. He was tempted to get her out of there that night, but she was too tired to move at the moment.
He’d protect her so she could get some sleep, and then he’d make her sleep in the car on the way home.
He found the crackers, peanut butter, and jelly and made a few small sandwiches. He scrounged around for anything else, but the only other things she had were packets of ketchup and mustard. She did have one plate, a few glasses, and plastic silverware.
The more he learned, the madder he got.
When he got back to the room, she was curled on her side with a blanket wrapped around her, fast asleep. He debated waking her so she could eat, but at the moment, she needed her to rest more.
He took a bite of the crackers and grimaced. The things were stale, and the taste of the peanut butter was overly sweet. He tossed the food in the garbage sack she had in the corner and walked back to her. Then he turned off the light, took off his shoes, and put his gun to the side.
Duncan texted Trey and Rylan and let them know she was safe, and they would be heading home in the morning. They would stop halfway and stay the night, but he’d keep them informed on what was going on.
He got two texts back immediately, and they both said how relieved they were, and they’d tell their littles so they’d stop worrying. He agreed wholeheartedly. After putting his phone to the side next to his gun, he studied the bed.
The bed was full size and way too small, but he wasn’t going to complain. He just hoped it didn’t have bedbugs. After he got himself situated behind her, he wrapped her in his arms.
God, it was the worst bed he’d ever slept in, but all he cared about was that he finally had her in his arms.