“Why would you do that?”
Because I care about you and I’d rather understand than let you go.
Instead of saying that, I smile. “I like being open-minded. Also, Jeremy?”
“Hmm?”
“Why aren’t you torturing me to reveal where Creighton has taken Annika? Isn’t that why you came to the shelter in the first place?”
“You said he wouldn’t hurt her, and while I’m skeptical, I choose to believe you. I don’t want to put you in a position where you must betray your friend’s trust, even if he’s a motherfucker. Besides, my father is working on it. If I don’t have to involve you, I won’t.”
A shiver snakes down my spine and leaves me trembling. How can he say things like that without any consideration to my slowly melting heart?
“Is…your mum okay?” I ask.
He shakes his head once. “The whole thing with Annika hit her hard. She’s always shared a deep connection with her, and now, she thinks she’s losing her for good… Hey, what’s wrong?”
It’s then I realize I’m shaking. I can’t do this. I can’t just keep shielding Creigh while knowing many people are suffering, including Annika, who I’m sure wouldn’t like being locked away from the outside world.
But I can’t have Jeremy hurt him either.
“If…” I trail off and clear the ball clogging my throat. “If I tell you where they are, will you promise not to hurt Creigh?”
A muscle works in his strong jaw. “He kidnapped my sister.”
“He loves her, Jeremy. I know you don’t want to believe it, but I’ve never seen Creighton attached to anyone the way he is to Anni. And no matter how much you deny it, you’re well aware that she loves him, too.”
His jaw clenches.
I get up and carefully wrap my arms around his neck, expecting him to push me away. Jeremy might let me hold on to him during sex, but he goes rigid whenever I touch him intimately outside of it.
It’s like he can’t get used to the emotions pouring out of him.
However, this time, not only does he let me, but he also doesn’t show any signs of discomfort. Maybe he’s getting used to me as much I’m getting used to him.
“Please, Jeremy.” I stroke the hairs at his nape, knowing how much he likes that. “Do this for your parents and yourself. I’m sure you miss Anni, right?”
A grunt is all he offers.
“Do you promise you won’t hurt him?”
One second.
Two.
Three…
“Fine. I promise.”
I squeal and kiss him on the cheek. It’s so natural that both of us pause afterward.
“Thank you,” I whisper awkwardly.
“Don’t thank me yet. If he hurt my sister, I’ll chop his head off.”
I’m sure Creigh wouldn’t.
The fact remains, Jeremy’s inclination for violence is something I’ll need to eventually get used to.