Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Liam

Birth control? Yeah, I suppose that’s definitely something Jasmine should consider if she becomes sexually active again. It’s entirely possible. She could meet someone. After all, she’s an incredibly attractive young woman. It wouldn’t be surprising if she starts dating someone. I shake off the idea, because the thought of Jasmine getting intimate with someone makes me a little crazy.

“I got a call from Troy Spencer this afternoon,” I tell her. “He wanted to let us know he requested a copy of your birth certificate from the county. We should have it in two to three days.”

“So quickly?”

“Yeah. But don’t get too excited. That’s just the beginning. Once we have that, we can request a copy of your social security card, but that’ll take a week or two to get. We can’t get you a state-issued ID card without those documents. And you can’t take the GED until you have a photo ID card.”

“Well, that’ll give me more time to prepare for the exams.”

I nod. “Based on the scores you’ve gotten so far, I think you’ll ace it.”

“I admit I’m nervous. I haven’t taken a school exam in years.”

“But you’re smart, Jasmine. You’ll do well. And if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world. You can retake the exams as needed.”

“Once I pass the exams, I can get a job?”

“You don’t have to have a GED to get a job, but it would help. In the meanwhile, would you like to work with me, say part-time? In addition to training with Lia?”

Her eyes widen. “Work with you? Really? I’d love that.”

“Sure. I could use an assistant to help me manage the martial arts studio. You could help me schedule classes and enroll students, organize the equipment, things like that. And one day, after you’ve had adequate training, you could even help me teach the self-defense classes.”

“You’d really hire me? You don’t think your brother would mind?”

“Of course he wouldn’t mind. I’ll talk to Lia tonight, and we’ll devise a work and training schedule for you. You can spend your mornings working with me and your afternoons training with Lia. How does that sound?”

When she doesn’t answer me, I glance over at her, shocked to see tears in her eyes. I have to stop myself from reaching for her hand. “Are you okay?”

Nodding, she goes to sit on the sofa. I can tell she’s trying not to cry. At the risk of crossing the line, I sit beside her and pat her leg, just above her knee. Surely that’s acceptable. “It’s okay.”

She lays her hand on mine and grips it tightly. “I never dreamed there was a way out for me. I guess I’m afraid it could all unravel at any second.”

“It’s not going to unravel. For some reason, our paths crossed. And now that we’ve met, I’m not going to let anything derail you from having the life you want. And you don’t just have my protection; you have my family’s protection, and believe me when I say that’s no small thing. You’ve met my sister—she’s a she-tiger in disguise. And my brother Shane—there’s nothing he can’t do. So, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’ve never even had a friend, Liam, let alone people who want to help me succeed.”

“Well, you have us now.”

To my surprise, Jasmine links her fingers with mine. “It still sounds too good to be true.” She frowns. “I don’t know why your family would be so nice to someone like me.” Sighing, she stands. “Do you mind if I take a shower? I’m a sweaty mess.”

“Of course not. And for the record, Jasmine, you don’t need to ask me. Just do what you need to do.”

She has a worried expression on her face. I wonder if she’s had to ask for every little thing.

While she’s in the bathroom, I start on dinner. I wrap some potatoes in foil and toss them in the oven. When they’re close to being done, I’ll throw some steaks on the grill out on the balcony.

I figure I might as well get in a quick workout while the food is cooking. As I head down the hall to the spare bedroom, the bathroom door opens, and Jasmine steps out in a cloud of warm, humid air with nothing on but the towel wrapped around her naked torso. I nearly run right into her, just catching myself at the last minute before we collide.

We freeze, both of us caught off guard.

“Oh, my god, I’m so sorry,” she says, her shaking hand coming up to cover her chest. “I forgot to bring clean clothes with me into the bathroom.”

“No problem,” I say, like it’s nothing for me to run into a half-naked woman in my apartment. My first impression is of a lot of golden brown skin. But then my gaze drops to her shoulders and clavicles and arms, and I suck in a shocked breath. I see several scars on her chest that resemble old knife wounds. “My god, Jasmine.”

She glances down at herself and shrugs. “Shit happens, you know? Those are old,” she says nonchalantly as she looks down at her chest.

I step back, not wanting to crowd her. As I stare down at this beautiful, damaged girl, rage wells up inside me. How dare someone hurt her? How dare someone treat her like that? “Who hurt you?”

She shrugs. “Tricks, mostly.”

“Jesus, sweetheart.” I wince when I realize what I called her. But even if I could take it back, I won’t. No matter what I say, she still looks mortified. “Jasmine, you’re a beautiful young woman. Nothing could ever change that. Not scars or… anything else.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “You honestly don’t think people find me disgusting?” The self-loathing in her voice breaks my heart. “I’m a prostitute, Liam.”

“You were a prostitute.”

“Do you really think anyone cares whether I’ve quit the business or not? Use your imagination, Liam. Anything you can possibly think of, I’ve done it—with strangers. For money. And everyone knows it.”

“I care. And my family cares.”

She sighs. “Your family has been wonderful to me, but the rest of the world won’t be so forgiving. This is going to follow me for the rest of my life.”

I reach out and touch her cheek, wishing I could do more. I want to pull her into my arms and hold her tight. I want to protect her from what can be a cruel world. “I promised you my protection. You have it. You’ll always have it. If anyone even looks at you funny, tell me, and I’ll take care of it.”

She laughs. “If only it was that easy.”

My gaze keeps drifting down to her half-naked body. The towel can hide only so much. “You’d better get dressed before you freeze.” I point to the spare bedroom. “I’m going to lift weights while dinner’s cooking.”

Frowning, she tugs the towel up higher. “Okay.”

I disappear into my workout room and take off my T-shirt and start with warm-ups. It’s shoulder day, so after completing my warm-up routine, I start with barbells. I’m on my second set of ten reps when I hear a quiet knock on the door. I pause and lower the barbells to the floor.  “Come in.”

The door opens, and Jasmine’s standing there, the study guide in her hands. “Sorry to bother you. I wanted to let you know I completed another math test.”

“How’d you do?”

“I got a ninety-seven percent.” Her gaze locks onto my torso and she stares. “Um…” She points back toward the living room. “I’ll just go, um, read until you’re done.” And then she closes the door.

I find myself smiling at the way she stammered. She almost seemed flustered at the sight of my bare chest.

Nope. Don’t go there.

It’s almost time for me to put the steaks on the grill, so I finish up and grab a quick shower. Then I head to the balcony to fire up the gas grill. As I pass through the living room, Jasmine keeps her eyes on her Kindle, not looking at me once.

I’d give anything to know what she’s thinking.

I throw the steaks on the grill and take the potatoes out of the oven when they’re done.

“Can I do something to help?” Jasmine asks.

I turn to find her standing in the doorway. “Sure. Why don’t you set the table? The food should be ready soon.”

When everything’s done, we sit at the kitchen table.

“Where’d you learn to cook?” Jasmine asks as she butters her potato.

“My mom made sure all of her kids knew how to cook. She didn’t want any of us starving after we left home.”

Jasmine frowns. “I don’t ever remember seeing my mom cook anything. We ate a lot of cold cereal and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. On special occasions, we’d order a pizza.”

“I’ll teach you, if you like.”

“Really?” When her dark eyes widen, my chest tightens. “I’d like that,” she says, smiling as she takes a bite of her potato. “I’d like to do a lot of things different than my mom did.”

I sit back in my chair and enjoy watching Jasmine eat. In spite of having a miserable upbringing and a horrible life on the streets, she can still find it within herself to be optimistic about her future. I’m thrilled that she’s found something to be passionate about—self-defense. She has more reason than anyone to want to learn how to protect herself. If she ever finds herself in a dangerous situation, I hope she kicks ass and takes no prisoners.

* * *

The next morning, as we’re making breakfast, we devise a schedule.

“You can come with me to work in the mornings,” I suggest as I pour us each a cup of coffee. “As my assistant. We’ll keep track of your hours, and once you have ID and I can hire you formally, then you’ll be compensated for your work. Lia will pick you up after lunch and take you back to her house for training. I’ll pick you up at Lia’s after I get off work. How does that sound?”

“It’s perfect!” And then she throws her arms around me with so much exuberance she knocks me off balance. “Thank you, Liam.”

My arms go around her waist, simply to steady her and keep us both from toppling over.

Blushing, she releases me and steps back. “Sorry. I guess I got a little overexcited.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad you’re happy. I want you to be happy.”

She gazes into my eyes for the longest moment, and I can’t look away. I’m mesmerized.

And then a smile transforms her expression. “I am happy.” She sounds genuinely surprised. “I can’t ever remember feeling like this. I’ve never had anything to look forward to. I’ve never felt like I was working toward anything meaningful. And it’s all because of you.”

I take a deep breath and wish I could take all the credit, but I can’t. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Jasmine. This is all your doing. I’m just the facilitator.”

When we sit down to eat breakfast, she’s got a smile on her face and a calmness I haven’t seen before.

On Wednesday afternoon, while Jasmine is with Lia, Troy Spencer stops by the martial arts studio to drop off the expedited copy of Jasmine’s birth certificate. The next step is to get a copy of her social security card—he’s still working on that. We’re one step closer to getting her on the path to independence.

Near the end of the work day, I go up to the 20th floor to talk to Shane.

I knock on his door. “Hey, Shane, have you got a minute?”

Shane looks up from his laptop. “Liam, come on in. Of course I have time for you. Always.”

I walk into Shane’s office and take a seat in front of his desk. My pulse is pounding, and I can’t believe I’m doing this. “I was wondering…”

Shane lanes back in his chair There’s a hint of a smile on his face. “Yes?”

“I was wondering if I could ask your advice.”

My brother’s grin widens. “Of course. About what?”

“Women.”

“Women in general, or just one woman in particular?”

I swallow. “I guess just one woman in particular.”

Shane crosses his arms over his chest. “Ask away. I’ve been waiting for this.”

“I’m not exactly sure where to begin.”

“So, how are things going with the young lady?”

“Good. She’s doing well. Thanks to Troy, we got a copy of her birth certificate today. That’s a big first step. She’s doing well. She’s studying for the GED, and Lia’s training her in self-defense. She’s really taken an interest in it. I can’t blame her. She’s been a victim for nearly all of her life, and now she sees a way to protect herself. I think she’s starting to see a future for herself.”

“I’m glad to hear it. So, what’s the problem?”

“I guess the problem is me. She sort of sees me as the big brother she always wished she had growing up. You know, someone to protect her.”

“Is that how you see yourself?” Shane asks.

My pulse picks up, and I shrug. “It should be. She needs protection.”

“And is that all you see in her?”

Immediately, I go on the defensive. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. It’s just that she’s an extremely attractive young woman, and you two seem to spend a lot of time together. I mean, she’s living with you, Liam.”

“It’s purely platonic. There’s nothing going on between us.” When Shane doesn’t look quite convinced, I say, “There can’t be anything between us. It would be wrong. I’d be taking advantage of her trust.”

My brother raises a placating hand. “All right. Calm down. I was just asking. I wasn’t trying to imply anything.”

I sigh. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I—sometimes I struggle with—” Words fail me.

“With your feelings for her?”

“I’ll admit I’m attracted to her, sure. I mean, she’s amazing—beautiful, smart as hell, and so damn resilient. She’s lived through hell and come back even stronger for it. Who wouldn’t be attracted to her? But don’t worry, I won’t ever cross that line.”

“Hey, I’m not judging you, Liam. I’m only asking. Just remember… some lines are okay to cross. Don’t make that decision for Jasmine. She should have a say, too.”