“They have no idea you’re talking to me, do they?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I never want to tell them because if I do then they’d take it away from me.”
Peter hurt for her. He knew she was suffering, and there was nothing he could do to help. Her family were the ones in control. It was how Cape Falls worked. The parents made the decisions, and the children did as they were told. Their town had survived like this for many generations.
He, Laura, Anna, and Daisy had been the few people to make it out of Cape Falls with their own kind of family. They were a unit, and they always went into town together.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why? You can’t do anything about it. It’s the way it is.” She dropped her gaze to eat more of her sandwich.
Peter wished he could take her troubles away, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t offer her anything. His love was for Laura and would always be for her. Loving Laura was something he was used to. Reaching out, he held Rose’s hand, pulling her hand close to his chest. “I really wish there was something I could do to help you.”
“There’s nothing you can do. I’m sorry for bringing it up to you.”
He shushed her, staring into her face. “We’re friends, Rose. We talk to each other about our troubles.”
Silence met his words, and they stayed still for several seconds.
“Rose, is that you?”
Peter turned to the noise to see a young man, a little older than Rose, approach them. He was with three other men, who were looking at Rose as if she was something to eat.
He didn’t like their attention, and his hands fisted at his side.
“Shit.” Peter heard her whisper.
“I’m guessing they’re some of the people who you don’t want to know?” Peter asked.
“They’ll tell my parents and ruin everything.” She pulled her hand away and started to eat her sandwich.
“I thought it was you. What are you doing?” The mystery man came to stand beside Rose. Peter stared at him, seeing the possessive glint written in his eyes. He wanted to know who the man was so he could put him in his place.
“Hi, Brad, I’m just eating lunch with Peter.”
Brad, the mystery man now had a name, turned his attention. Peter saw the assessment because he was doing his own. What he saw in Brad was lacking. The man was cruel. Peter didn’t know how he knew it, only that he did.
What he also didn’t like was the way he knelt down beside Rose and started playing with a strand of her long hair. Her blonde hair was long enough to cover her full ass. She kept it in a ponytail, so the strands lifted up a little and rested above the curve of her ass.
“Peter Miller, right?” Brad asked, offering his hand.
“The very one, and you are?” Peter didn’t take the offered hand and continued eating his lunch.
“I’m a friend of Rose’s.”
Rose was shaking. Peter wanted to make her shaking disappear.
“I’ve got to get back to work,” Rose said.
When she made to pass him, Peter grabbed her hand. “Lunch was lovely, Rose. Thank you.”
She glanced at the other men, nodded and turned away.
Peter returned his attention back to the men. They were all stood watching her leave. He got to his feet and pocketed his empty lunch box.
“You shouldn’t be around her. What’s the matter? Not enough sluts visiting your club that you’ve got to pry women out of town,” Brad said.
Staring at the man, Peter knew Rose would be in trouble if Brad got near her. His gut was telling him to protect her.