The sound of a door opening and closing came over the line. “So, what’s up?”
I gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. “I need your professional expertise.”
Austin chuckled. “You thinking about taking up mixed martial arts?”
I pulled onto the gravel road that led out of town. “No, I think I’ll pass on being beaten to a bloody pulp for a living.”
“That only happens if you lose. Just don’t lose.”
I shook my head. “I’m not taking up MMA. I need a self-defense training program for a friend.”
Austin was silent for a few seconds. “A friend?”
I cleared my throat. “A girl.”
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” I could hear the smile in Austin’s voice. “What does she need self-defense training for? Anything specific?”
My jaw clenched. I knew Tessa wouldn’t want me to share details of her past with anyone, but I had to give Austin enough broad strokes so that he could help. “She had an abusive ex. I want her to get some of her power back. I walked her through the basics, and it clicked for her. I thought you might be able to put together some exercises I can take her through and stuff.”
“Fuck, man. I’m sorry. Guys that pull that shit are the lowest of the low.”
I forced my hands to release their death grip on the steering wheel as I pulled up to the guest cabin. “Yeah.” I gritted out the word, not trusting myself to say more.
“I can come up with a plan for her tonight and have it to you by tomorrow. She safe now?”
I ran a hand through my hair and tugged roughly. “No. But I’m working to make her that way.”
27
Tessa
Jensen groaned as she stood, stretching her arms over her head. “Thank God, that’s done. You’d think inventory would get easier after a while, but it’s always a bitch.”
I closed the door to the pantry and gave her a sympathetic smile. “Well, on the bright side, we don’t have to worry about that again for another month.” It was past eight p.m., and we had been at this for hours, only breaking for dinner.
“True.” We walked down the hall towards the office. “Thanks for always being such a trooper about it.” Jensen set her laptop on the desk. “What have you got going on for the rest of the night?”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “I think Liam is going to stop by with ice cream.”
Jensen arched a brow. “Ice cream, huh? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
My blush deepened. “No! Actual ice cream.” Well, ice cream and maybe some of those toe-curling kisses.
Jensen chuckled. “Okay, just boring ol’ dessert, then.”
“Yes, just dessert.” I eyed the computer on her desk. “J, could I borrow your laptop if you’re not using it tonight?” I’d let my search for more information on Bethany fall by the wayside with everything that had been going on, but this flare of a beginning with Liam had me wanting more firepower in my arsenal against Garrett. I wanted to be truly free—once and for all.
“Of course. You can use it anytime you want. I usually just leave it in the office, so just help yourself.”
I took the machine she handed me. “Thanks. I’ll have it back by morning.”
Jensen waved a hand in front of her face. “I don’t even want to see that thing for another month.”
I laughed as we headed to the back door. “You’re free for a month.”
“Hallelujah.” She pulled open the back door just as Liam hopped out of his SUV.
“You ladies done slaving away?”
