Chapter Thirteen
Adam~
I hold her until her breathing evens out. Once she’s asleep, I lay her down and cover her with the sheet. I’ll clean her back later. I just need a moment to deal with everything that’s just happened.
I leave the room and walk over to my place. It’s not massive, just a two bedroom cottage. It’s my own private space, and I need that right now.
I walk over to my couch and lie down on it. Covering my eyes with my arm, I rest my other hand on my chest.
I let the silence of my home calm me. I need to stop getting so swept up in Sophia. I can’t be of any help to her if I’m a mess inside.
She’s been through hell and she needs someone who can be calm. She needs someone she can lean on until she’s able to stand on her own two feet.
I’m going to have to be stronger for her.
I wonder what kind of life she had before that fucker somehow got his hands on her. She might have family who cares about what happened to her.
Knowing that she might have someone out there looking for her, makes my stomach drop for some reason.
Even if I don’t like the idea of giving her back to whoever let her get taken in the first place, I know it’s not my choice.
Sophia’s needs come first, and the last thing she needs is a controlling dickhead.
After I give myself a good talking to, I return to the house. It’s already late afternoon.
When I walk back into the room, I give River a smile to let her know I’m good. A look of relief flashes across her face.
I sit down next to Sophia’s bed. I take her left hand in both of mine and watch her sleep.
Nanna breaks the silence when she comes into the room. She places a tray with two bowls of soup down on the table between their beds.
She gives us a smile before she leaves again. I know it’s hard for her to see people beaten like this. Nanna has the softest heart.
I feel Sophia’s hand move in mine and it immediately draws my attention to her. I lean a little over her, smiling so I can put her at ease.
“Hey, Sweetheart,” I whisper. I brush some hair from her forehead. “It’s time to eat again. Can you sit up for me?”
She nods and struggles into a sitting position. She grimaces with pain and I hate it. I wish I could take it from her.
Picking up the bowl of soup, I sit down on the bed. She scoots closer to me, and it takes another blow at my heart. She’s like a beaten animal seeking love, and it kills me to see it.
I scoop some soup into the spoon and slowly feed her. She eats half of the soup which makes me feel better. I give her more painkillers with some lemonade.
When she’s all done, I ask, “Do you want to sit or try to sleep again?” I’m testing the waters with an easy question, hoping she’ll make the decision herself.
Keeping her head down, she scoots closer until our bodies touch. This poor woman must be starving for any kind of affection. I take her hand again and let her sit close to me. If it makes her feel better, I’ll sit with her until she falls asleep again.
***
I got some sleep last night, which was great. I feel stronger to face today. Jack came to yesterday afternoon. His reaction is totally the opposite from Sophia’s. Where Sophia is timid and eager to please, Jack is filled with vengeance and hatred.
The second River told Jack that he was free to leave, he didn’t hesitate to get up.
We’ve had that before, where a person left soon after we got them free.
Those who decided to stay kept to themselves in the beginning, but with time they let their guard down.
Sophia is totally different from anyone we’ve saved before. It’s not getting through to her that she’s free. It’s as if she doesn’t understand what freedom means.
When I walk into the room, I’m glad to see that she’s awake.
I sit down on the bed next to her and ask. “What size clothes do you wear, Sophia?”
She frowns lightly and shakes her head. “I don’t wear clothes, but Jack usually wears jeans.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. It’s not easy staying calm when you hear something like that.
I reign in my emotions, before looking at her. She’s a bit smaller than River, so I’ll just get her clothes that are one size smaller.
“Tell me,” I say as I take a hold of her hand. “Do you have any family we can contact for you?”
She shakes her head.
“So there’s no one out there looking for you?” I ask the question differently just to make sure.
“I’m just a slave, Master.” Her eyes widen when she realizes that she didn’t call me by my name. She quickly blurts, “Adam.”
I steel myself and ask, “How long have you been a slave?”
I see the relief on her face, then she says, “I was born one.”
For a moment, I can only look at her as the shock vibrates through me. I shake my head as I try to keep a calm look on my face.
“What happened to your mother?”
“She died giving birth to me. I’m very lucky. My mother was beautiful and one of the best slaves. The only reason Master Cameron kept me was because he hoped that I’d look like my mother, and luckily I did.”
A lump pushes to my throat and I have to fight the tears back. I’ve never cried a single fucking tear before this woman. Her life is right from a horror story. That fucking life was all she ever knew.
I can’t hold myself back as I wrap my arms around her. I press her to my chest, just holding her.
“You’re going to be okay, Sophia. I’m going to teach you new things,” I whisper the words to her, hoping that she’ll understand what I’m trying to say. “I’m going to show you what life’s really like.”