Chapter 33

“Would you come to my place?” Harry asked.

Rory bit her lower lip, unsure what she should do. “I can’t feel trapped.”

“You will never be trapped with me. I want you to be safe.”

She stared off into the distance. “I don’t know what safe is anymore.”

“Can we figure it out together?”

Rory nodded, “I’d like that.”

She still needed a place to live. For now, she was staying at an inexpensive hotel, but she would have to decide where to go soon.

Harry’s sleek, modern condo was a stark contrast to where she’d been held captive. She moved to the broad window and stared out at the city below. She could see the ocean in the distance, giving her an open feeling. She liked that feeling. She wasn’t ready to make long-term decisions, but she felt safe right here.

“When my dad gave this to me, I knew it was him just trying to make up for the past. ”

She turned, narrowing her gaze. “Do you think that was all it was?”

He shrugged. “Parents can be very difficult.”

She turned back to look out the window. “I wouldn’t know.”

Harry moved closer and put his hands on her shoulders. “Come, sit on the couch, and we can talk.”

She followed him to the couch, her thoughts jumbled. Growing up without a family had meant she allowed the Marines to fill that role. “Who will I be without the Marines?” She’d been planning on leaving before being abducted, but because the decision had been taken out of her hands, she felt off about it. She knew without a doubt she wouldn’t be able to serve in the capacity she’d previously served.

Harry held her hand and squeezed before he let out a huge sigh. “I know I’m a SEAL. Hell, being a SEAL is a huge part of who I am, but it’s not all I am. You grew up without family, and I know a lot of guys who are lifers in the military who were in similar situations. They depend on the military to be their family, but you have people who care about you beyond the connections you made in the military.”

“Ava called and talked, as well as Jessica and Ingrid. They all want to see me this weekend, but I don’t know.”

“They might be able to help.”

She moved to look him in the face. “What do you mean?”

“They all suffered. They have dealt with people coming after them. Sure, Ava’s torturer was her ex, and their situations might have been different, but they will understand.”

“Huh, I guess that didn’t really sink in. I’ve been obsessing about what happened to me. I didn’t even think about what could have happened to anyone else.”

“Which is totally understandable. After something happens, it occupies our minds. How about you call them and see when they can get together?”

“I feel bad doing that.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m here with you.”

“Hey, I want what’s best for you. If that means we drive over to Ava’s place, and you sit and chat with her, okay.”

She chewed on her lower lip, then pulled out the new phone she’d picked up and dialed Ava. It rang twice before Ava picked up.

“Hey, Rory, it’s great to hear from you.”

“Hello. I was wondering if…” she blew out a breath. “Do you think we could all get together? You know, you, Ingrid, and Jessica.”

“Yes. Let me call the girls and see what they have going this weekend. We could send the men to Ingrid’s place with the kids and order pizza.”

Rory’s heart felt lighter, and she let go a sigh. “That would be nice.”

“I’ll call you back. Give me a minute.”

“Thank you.” Tears filled Rory’s eyes. Harry held her as she cried, not asking why she was so weepy. She didn’t know why she was crying so much. Her emotions were all over the place, along with her thoughts. What she’d been through had changed her. She wanted to be the same badass woman she’d been before but knew she never would be. The grief would come. Right now, all she had was pain and hate in her heart.