Letting the blanket fall back over Elizabeth’s feet, Jewell thought she caught a movement of her lashes.
Why would she be pretending to be asleep? If she was as terrified as she acted yesterday, any touch, regardless of how slight, should have had her screaming her head off.
When she heard a low knock on the door, Jewell rolled her suitcase across the carpeted floor to unlock and open the door, seeing Arin and Hennessy standing outside.
Stepping outside, she closed the door and made her suspicions known in a low voice. Describing what she had seen in the bedroom, Jewell told Hennessy not to leave Arin alone in the room with Elizabeth.
“You think she would try to hurt me?”
“I don’t want to take the chance.” Jewell didn’t want to scare Arin unnecessarily, but her gut was telling her that they should be cautious.
“Where was this concern last night when you snuck Arin out of the club?”
Hennessy’s harsh criticism hurt, yet it was well deserved, so Jewell let it slide off her back.
“I’m sorry, Hennessy,” Jewell apologized, knowing Arin’s husband deserved to vent his anger. “We got carried away talking about old times, and I wanted to give Arin a break from the pressure she’s been under. I texted Mick that we were sneaking out, and he was waiting by the curve. We were never in real danger. We were within Moon’s eyesight, then Mick’s. I would have never taken the chance with Arin’s safety without having someone within range of interceding if we needed them.”
Hennessy’s harsh expression showed no hint of relenting. “I don’t give second chances where my wife’s safety is concerned.”
“I don’t blame you.” Jewell felt terrible. “I wouldn’t, either. We should have called you and asked you to go with us.”
Arin used her hip to bump Hennessy sideways. “I was the one who suggested sneaking out. Sometimes, a woman needs some alone time. Jewell and I had a great time, which you’re spoiling by making us feel guilty. If you don’t want to drive back to Ohio on your own, then lighten up. I know it’s hard for you to do, but try,” she encouraged him, bumping him again.
Jewell laughed when Hennessy’s hand landed on Arin’s ass before he quickly moved to the door to take up a guard position when Arin made a threatening movement toward him.
“Going to make you pay for that later.”
Jewell just shook her head at the squabbling married couple.
Arin caught the movement, breaking into a grin of her own. “Men. Can’t live with them, can’t fuck without them.”
“They do have their uses,” Jewell agreed whole-heartedly before becoming serious. “I’m going to be leaving in an hour.”
Arin turned serious, too. “You going to check on your mom?”
“Yes.”
“You want me to go with you?”
“No. You have your hands full here. I’ll keep you updated.”
“You better. Regardless of this shit going on here, I’ll be coming after you. I had to sit back and watch your dad drag you down too many times to take a back seat this time.”
“We’re not kids anymore.” It was going to be hard having to talk to her father again, and Arin knew it wasn’t going to be easy. “If I need you, I’ll call,” she promised.
Arin reached out to pull her in for tight hug. Jewell fought back tears at her friend’s empathy.
“I love you, sis. Just pretend I’m there with you and don’t take any shit I wouldn’t.”
“I won’t. I love you back.” Her voice broke. “Don’t give Hennessy too hard of a time. No more wanting to sneak out.”
Arin’s voice was just as emotional. “I don’t have anyone to sneak out with. You’re leaving, and I’ll probably be gone before you come back.”
Breaking apart, they gave each other shaky smiles.
“Both of you take care.”
Jewell hurriedly walked away before she broke down in tears. Leaving Arin had never been easy. They might not share the same family, but in every way else that counted, Arin was a sibling to her as much as her brothers had been.
Leaving her suitcase by the front door, after taking out a small package, Jewell made her way into the kitchen. Raising an eyebrow at the woman behind the counter talking to Puck, she continued on down to the basement. She entered Rory’s bedroom and saw it was empty. About to retreat, she then heard the shower running.
She wanted nothing more than to get in the shower with him, but restrained herself to take a seat on the couch and wait for him to finish.
When Rory came out the bathroom, dressed, he immediately headed for the door.
“Going somewhere?”
Hearing her voice from the couch, he stopped.
“I was going to find you,” he explained, switching directions to come over to where she was sitting.
“I saved you the trouble.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Have a bit of a headache. Other than that, I’m good.”