Beckett’s lips twitched. “And young love bloomed?”
I shook my head, smiling down at my plate. “Not love. Kindness, maybe? He was the first person to show me true gentleness and care in a very long time.” A burning sensation bloomed in my chest, memories trying to battle their way out of the dark. “It was at the time my dad had
been talking about promising me to one of his friends or their sons.”
Beckett’s grip on his spoon tightened.
I dropped my gaze to my plate. “I didn’t want my first time to be with someone I didn’t choose.”
“So, you made the choice first.”
I nodded slowly. “Kevin was kind and gentle, and I don’t regret that choice. Even if it wasn’t love. It was one of the few times I felt in control of my own life.”
A muscle in Beckett’s jaw ticked. “What happened?”
“The job finished, and Kevin left. It wasn’t like he’d promised me forever. And he would’ve had no way of contacting me anyway. I had no phone, and my father didn’t allow me mail.”
“Your father doesn’t deserve to breathe the air on this planet,” Beckett gritted out.
My head snapped up, and I took in the rage blazing in Beckett’s eyes. “I’m okay. I got away.”
“I know that. And I’m so damn glad. But it doesn’t change the fact that he terrorized you for all your life. Stole every ounce of freedom he could.”
“He tried to steal it. But he didn’t succeed.” Because I was sitting in a breakfast nook with Beckett. I’d slept on a couch with him last night. I’d made the recipe I wanted to this morning. In an hour or so, I’d leave for a job that I’d chosen for myself. I’d dress in clothes I’d picked with earrings in the ears he’d never let me pierce. I was finding my freedom.
24
ADDIE
The bell on the door to the gallery jingled, and Laiken looked up. “Addie, I didn’t expect you in today.”
“I’m supposed to work today, aren’t I?”
She pushed to her feet, and I didn’t miss the stilted motion. I was familiar with those types of movements. I’d experienced them far too many times after my father had taken his fists to me. The idea that someone might be hurting Laiken made me sick to my stomach. She moved towards me, her gait evening out as she did. “You’re on the schedule, but I heard what happened last night. You didn’t have to come in.”
I fought the urge to fidget. I felt exposed—as if the entire world was staring, and they knew all my secrets. “Who told you?”
“One of the deputies was talking about it at The Bean this morning. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” She took in my cheek and winced.
My hand immediately lifted to cover the cut. “I’m fine. Really. But I can leave if you don’t want me here.” She probably didn’t want someone with a scarred face in her beautiful gallery.
Laiken scowled at me but then wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Of course, I want you here, but I want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”
“I am. Beckett patched me up and looked at my cheek again this morning.” He’d also asked to see my side. There was bruising dotting my ribs, but it wasn’t too bad, and I’d taken a couple of ibuprofens before heading into work.
“I bet Beckett took real good care of you.”
I glanced down at Laiken. “Huh?”
Her lips twitched. “He’s protective of you. I like it.”
I liked it, too. And I didn’t. I loved the feeling of safety and security I felt in Beckett’s arms, but I also wanted him to see me as a woman, an equal, not someone he needed to look out for.
“What?” Laiken asked, studying me.
I moved to put my bag in my locker. “I’m tired of people looking at me like I’m broken.”
A shadow seemed to pass over Laiken’s eyes, but it was gone too quickly for me to read into it. “It doesn’t feel great.”