From This Moment

Jake cusses under his breath and bashes his fist against the dash. “Go on,” he mutters.

“He was so angry. I didn’t know to do so I ran into the bathroom and locked the door just as he banged into it. I grabbed some clothes from the hamper in there and got dressed. I never leave my boots in the bathroom, but I did last night. I was just putting my foot in my last boot when he broke the door down.”

I shudder at the memory. Gone was the sweet, harmless man I’d agreed to marry and in his place was a cruel monster. His eyes had shone with jealousy and he looked ready to kill me. My voice cracks as I continue, “He . . . he grabbed me by my hair and tugged me. He said lots of vile things about you and me, and then he swung and hit me. I think he figured I was out of it because he let me go.”

I swipe at a tear. “I think he went to the kitchen, but I didn’t go look. I grabbed my jacket from the chair in my room and climbed through the window. I’m just so glad that I keep my keys in the car.”

“So am I.”

For the first time since I started to tell my story, I glance at Jake. He looks really angry.

“Jake?”

“No one puts his hands on you and gets away with it, Elise. If you hadn’t gotten away when you did, what the fuck would he have done?”

“I can’t think about that.”

I start crying when it hits me just how lucky I am to have escaped Tom when I did.

Jake

Fuck!

I’m an idiot. The thought of that bastard with his hands on her makes me see red, and it obviously short-circuited the wire from my brain to my mouth. If it wasn’t for the damn blizzard going on outside the truck, I’d be pulling over and hauling her into my lap, but that’s going to have to wait for now.

Instead, I opt for nudging her with my shoulder. “Elise, c’mon babe. I’m sorry I brought that up, but, well, can you try and put a hold on the tears until I can as least hold you? Because you’re killing me right now.”

She pauses and then starts laughing.

I wasn’t expecting the laughter.

“Sorry,” she giggles, making me smile. “You want me to stop crying until we reach somewhere that you can stop and comfort me, do I have that right?”

“Well, yes. This road is crazy at the minute and we only have another five minutes until we’re at the house.”

“Jake, you’re nuts, but I love you anyway.” She leans over me and kisses me on my cheek. “Thank you for taking my mind off everything.”

I feel her eyes on me as she settles more comfortably in her seat. '“Don’t you ever drive like that again, Jake. Promise me.”

“I really frightened you? That wasn’t my intention.”

“I realize that, but nevertheless you did.”

“I’m sorry, and I promise to try and not kill myself in your presence again.”

I don’t see her because my eyes are glued to the road ahead, but I’ll bet she’s rolling her eyes. At least for now her mind is distracted.

“I’m glad you’re here.” She leans against my arm and stays there.

Having Elise so close is what I’ve dreamed about for so long, since I left for Paris Island really, and I don’t know what the hell I would do if I lost her

now. She’s in my blood to stay, and I’ll protect her with my life. One of these days soon, I’m going to make sure I have a run in with Tom. I have a feeling using his fists on Elise isn’t going to be enough to keep him behind bars, once he gets there. He’ll probably get off with some damn community service.

“Jake, what are you thinking?”

I quickly glance at Elise with a frown.

“Your hands tensed on the wheel.”