She must not have done a very good job at hiding her concern, because he ran the knuckles of his free hand down her cheek and said, “It’s just a precaution.”
Their driver pulled next to a small store and stopped. Olivia glanced out one of the tinted windows. There was a square building with a handful of freestanding clothes racks positioned along the front walkway. From what she could see through the propped-open door, the place had a little bit of everything.
Trevor turned to her and asked, “What size are you?”
Unlike most women, Olivia wasn’t worried about what the men might think. She was healthy and toned, with curves she wasn’t ashamed of. She knew she’d never be a size two, and was perfectly fine with that.
“Six. Sometimes an eight, depending on how it’s made.”
Trevor gave her a once-over. “I’m guessing you may have dropped a size since coming here. We’ll get you something to sleep in and a change of clothes. His eyes found her still-bound feet. “What about shoes? I’m guessing you’re a seven?”
She couldn’t help but grin. “And a half. Impressive.” He patted her knee in a big-brother sort of way. “I don’t know what sort of selection they’ll have, but I’m sure I can find you something more comfortable than Jake’s ratty clothes.”
Olivia scoffed, “As long as I have access to running water and an actual bed, I’ll sleep naked for all I care.”
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, and the look on the men’s faces sent a rush of blood to her cheeks. Derek, who was now leaning over the back of her seat between her shoulder and Jake’s, gave her a smile that would make most women’s mouths water.
Trevor tried to hide his smirk as he shifted toward the door, and Jake...Jake’s brows shot up with a look of surprise, which was quickly replaced with something more. Olivia found it impossible to tear her eyes away from his.
Clearing his throat, Trevor muttered, “Be right back,” as he and Derek exited the van and headed into the small store.
Jake’s fingers ran across the top of her arm. “How are you feeling?”
She held back a shudder from his touch. “Okay. A little achy, but that’s to be expected.”
“I’ll make sure Trevor gives you something for the pain.”
“Ibuprofen will be fine.”
“He has something stronger if you need it.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to be loopy. Besides, I have a feeling I won’t need any help getting to sleep.” On cue, a huge, unattractive yawn hit. Olivia quickly covered her mouth.
Jake’s lips turned up. “We’re almost there. You can get cleaned up, put some real food in your belly, and get some well-deserved rest.”
As promised, Trevor and Derek returned after only a brief absence. They settled back into their seats, and Trevor handed her a large, plastic bag.
“They didn’t have much to choose from, but it’ll be something clean to wear until we can get you home. I also picked up a few other things I thought you might need.”
Olivia covered Trevor’s hand with hers “Thank you.”
He just grinned and nodded. Derek, however, leaned up between her and Jake, and flung another sack over the back of their seat.
“I picked up a couple things for you, too, boss. Some clothes and other...essentials.” He winked and patted Jake’s shoulder before settling back into his seat.
Something about the way he said it made Olivia want to rip into that dang sack and see exactly what Derek bought. You already know.
“D.” Jake’s single-letter warning was clear, but it didn’t seem to faze Derek.
He put his palms in the air. “Hey, man. Just thinkin’ of you.”
Jake’s only response was a grunt, but Olivia smiled. She could easily grow to love Derek. Her eyes slid to Grant, who was sitting silently in the front of the van. Yeah, the jury’s still out on that one.
Once at the motel, Derek and Trevor went to check in. When they came back to the van, Trevor handed Jake a plastic key card.
“You’re in room one twenty-five. Derek and I are right next door in one twenty-six, and Grant is on your other side in one twenty-four.”
As the men unloaded their bags from the back of the van, Olivia grabbed Jake’s arm. “Which room am I in?”
He looked right into her eyes and said, “You’re with me.”
Chapter 16
The room was small and modest, but was a palace compared to the shithole those men had kept her in.
There was a small, square table with two chairs next to the window, and two queen-sized beds with a nightstand in between. The beds looked like heaven, but it was the small, white door at the back of the room that held her focus.
“Go ahead,” she heard Jake say from behind her. Olivia turned around and watched as he sat his backpack—and that damn sack— down in one of the chairs.
“You sure?” She scrunched her nose. “You’re sort of a mess, too.”
He smiled. “I’m sure I am, but I can wait. Take your time. I’ll get one of the guys to make a food run.”
Her stomach chose that moment to make its presence known, and Jake chuckled at the growling coming from inside of her.
“What sounds good?”
“Anything. You know me...I’m not picky.”
“Alright. Go get cleaned up, and I’ll see what we can find.”
Olivia walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. For a moment, she just stood there, leaning back against the door.
This is real. She was in a motel room. With Jake. And she was safe. At least for tonight, she was safe.
Her eyes began to fill, but she blinked the tears away and got the water running. If she started crying now, she’d never stop. Waiting for the water to get hot, she began removing the things from her sack.
First, she pulled out a long sundress. It was black, with wide straps and brightly colored flowers. A pair of simple, black sandals came next, followed by a pair
