Crystal’s lower lip quivered. “I—I couldn’t do anything. I felt so . . . oh God, I felt so helpless.”
In an instant, Mac and Trent were on either side of her. They wrapped her in an embrace as Trent said, “Shh, you’re safe now, baby. Don’t think about it anymore.”
Mac smoothed his hand down her hair and whispered softly, “Trent’s right. Richard can’t hurt you. Not ever again.”
After a short bout of tears, Crystal appeared to gather herself. She nodded. “I’m glad he’s in jail. It’s where he should’ve been ages ago.”
“No argument here,” Mac gritted out. He didn’t move away, didn’t let go of her hand. He needed that small connection with her to know she was really and truly safe.
“I’m sorry for being such a baby,” Crystal said. She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks for . . . everything, you guys.”
Mollie smoothed Crystal’s hair back with a compassionate hand. “From where I’m sitting, you look more like a survivor,” she replied. “Some TLC and a good night’s rest, and you’ll be good as new. You’ll see.”
Crystal smiled slightly, and whispered a thank-you. Then she quickly rattled off a list of things she would need from her apartment, as if drawing on the last vestiges of strength she had. Grudgingly Mac left to get the things she’d asked for. The sooner he left to go retrieve them, the sooner he could be back with her again. She would be safe for the few minutes it would take to drive to her place and back.
After Mac left the room, Trent stood and said, “I’ll go make some tea.”
Crystal nodded. “That sounds wonderful.” After both men were gone, she let out a breath. “God, it’s all like a strange nightmare.”
“Now that it’s just us girls, do you want to talk about it?” Mollie asked. “It might help.”
Crystal was amazed at Mollie’s sharp observation. “How did you know I didn’t want to talk about it in front of them?”
Mollie shrugged. “I’d have a hard time sharing something so traumatic with those two guys. They’re pretty intense.”
Crystal’s heart did a little flip as she realized how lucky she was to have both Trent and Mac come to her aid. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if they hadn’t been there.” She shuddered. “I don’t know what Richard would’ve done.”
Mollie frowned. “But they were there, and that’s all that matters.”
Already Crystal felt better with Mollie there. She closed her eyes and rested against the pillow as she went over the evening’s events. “Richard showed up at Trent’s house and knocked me on the back of the head. I didn’t even see it coming.” She shook her head at her own stupidity. “Like an idiot, I thought that if he knew I didn’t love him anymore, he’d get the hint and let me go. I pleaded with him, but it only made him angrier.” She hesitated, trying to put Richard’s strange demeanor in proper perspective. “He’s always been abusive, both physically and emotionally. But this time he didn’t appear to want to harm me. It was almost like he’d convinced himself that he couldn’t live without me or something.” She swiped a hand across her face, pushing back strands of hair that clung to her cheek. “I’ve never seen him like that before. As if he’d lost all grasp on reality.”
“God, you must have been so scared,” Mollie said, her voice full of concern.
“When we got to that awful house, he took me upstairs and put me in the chair. He told me he’d rented it a few months ago. He’s been living so close and I didn’t even know.” She shuddered. “Anyway, I tried to get up, to get away, but he was ready. He tied my wrists, my ankles. He started questioning me about Trent and Mac. About our relationship. He said a lot of ugly things.” She looked up at Mollie, seeing her concern, and quickly finished her account. “He must have gotten Mac’s number from my cell phone. I don’t know, but after that he left me alone.” To her complete horror she started crying again, and through trembling lips she said, “I was so scared. I really thought he was going to kill Mac and Trent.”
Mollie hugged her, soothing her the way only a best friend could. “They’re both way too tough to be brought down by a guy like Richard.”
Crystal forced back the tears and nodded. “Yes, they are, thank God.” She remembered the moment Mac and Trent had stormed through the door, looking for all the world like conquering heroes. And she knew they’d always be her heroes.
Mollie laughed. “And right about now, Mac is probably breaking all the speed limits trying to get back here. He’s been worried sick for you. He cares about you a great deal, honey. Trent, too.”
“I hope so, because I think I love them—both of them.”
“Damn right you do.” Both women jumped when they heard Mac’s deep-timbered voice.
Mollie crossed her arms over her chest and gave Mac a stern look. “Just how long have you be
en standing there?”
Mac strode to the bed and dropped all the things Crystal had asked for onto the end of it. “Long enough to know that Crystal loves me.”
“I’d tell you how incredibly rude it is to eavesdrop, but it’ll have to wait until the room stops spinning.”
Right away Mac was contrite. “Tell us what to do to make you feel better.”
“Love me,” she whispered, taking a leap of faith. “Just love me.”
“Always and forever, angel.”