“Your hair is longer than I first thought,” Jace said. “You probably got a lot of attention.”
“It’s one thing Mi—a friend told me to do. Keep it hidden as much as possible, so I kept it braided and stuck in the back of my shirt. She got me the cap and the oversized clothes to hide my figure. She wanted me to act as old as possible and not look or talk if I didn’t need to.”
“I’m glad you had her,” Mack said. “Let’s get your hair dry.”
“I’ll make you some soup,” Jace said. “I think you should eat a bit before you lay down.”
Her stomach hadn’t been full in longer than she could remember. She wasn’t allowed much food at home because they didn’t have a lot of money. Both of her parents smoked and drank, so that’s where most of the money from the government went. She had food at school, and she even found ways to take some home and hide it in her room. Some people would give her apples, muffins, and any packaged things she would keep without a refrigerator.
Mack finished drying her hair.
“Let’s get you into bed. We have you set up in the guest bedroom across from Jace, and I’m just down the hall.”
He opened the door and let her step in first. Her breath caught in her throat when he turned the light on. To most people, it was a standard room with a bed, nightstand, and dresser, but for her, it was a room equal to one at the famous Ritz-Carlton. “This is beautiful.”
There was a white lace comforter that matched the curtains on the windows. There was a rug on the floor that looked so soft she didn’t want to step on it.
“I’m glad you like it,” Mack said.
She turned to look at him as he leaned against the doorjamb with his hands in his pockets. Her eyes widened because it felt like a curtain had been opened, and she was able to see things she never had before. For the first time in her life, she actually noticed a man. When Jace came through the door, she had the same reaction. Really looking at someone was putting yourself in danger, so she hadn’t for some time.
“Come here, baby. Eat some soup.” He sat on the edge of the bed and waited for her to climb in.
She leaned against the headboard and pulled up the blanket Mack held out for her.
Jace brought the spoon to her mouth. “Open up.”
She took the bite and her eyes closed. It was the best thing she’d ever eaten. “This is so good.”
Jace smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I can feed myself,” she said.
“I can tell how shaky you are right now, so I’ll help you this time. Is that all right?”
Kaylin nodded. She felt kind of weird, but she couldn’t deny the feeling of being cherished at that moment.
She finished most of the bowl before she held up her hand. “I can’t. I’ll explode if I take another bite.”
Jace grinned and stood. “Okay. Drink your milk, and then Mack will help you brush your teeth, and then I’ll be back to help tuck in.”
“What’s that?” she asked. The men glanced at each other and then back at her.
“It’s when a person makes sure another is covered up and comfortable, so they can go to sleep. Some people even like the covers tight, so they have the person helping them tuck the blanket under them.”
“Oh. I wouldn’t like that. I’d feel like I was suffocating.”
Jace nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
Kaylin sat in a daze before she saw Mack stand in front of her.
“Let’s get the teeth done.”
A gasp tore from her mouth as he lifted her from the bed and onto the floor. It was like she was a feather instead of a full-grown woman. He showed her the toothbrush and paste she would use.
“I’ll give you a few minutes if you need to use the toilet, but I’ll be right back.”
Kaylin nodded and waited until he left. She quickly closed the door and peed. She couldn’t remember the last time she used the toilet. She’d had to make do with the alleyways and always felt gross. She used any available paper or tissue to wipe. God, she hadn’t thought about how raunchy she must have smelled, and they’d let her in their car. She tried to keep herself clean in her woman’s area, but the rest she’d left to get covered with dirt.