His words hit me like a ton of bricks, causing me to stop dead in my tracks. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Anger began to bubble inside me, and I struggled to keep it contained.
"What are you saying?" I asked, trying to process the information.
"I'm saying that we need to hear her side of the story before we make any decisions, Promise me, Xax," Tanner insisted, his grip tightening on the girl's small arm.
As I looked at the girl, I could see the fear and uncertainty in her eyes. She was fragile, vulnerable, and my heart went out to her. She held her baby tightly, as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.
I promise." I found myself saying before I could think it through.
2. MY TEARS. MY SAD MEMORIES.
JASAMINA
I'd had a strong feeling that Ludale wouldn't give up on finding me. I'd known it was only a matter of time before he sent someone after me again. Despite all the running I had done, I had the zeal to survive.
After finally finding a place to call home, and making it feel like home, I had only been here for a week but now, I've been found.
Tears filled my eyes as I clutched my baby tightly to my chest, peeking at the broad and scary man in front of me. I knew that I would never go back there, no matter what. I would rather die than go back to that monster with my baby. I would rather die than step my feet into that nightmare he called home.
As I stared between the huge man and Tanner, who had blocked me away from him, acting as my shield, I was already a crying mess. Tanner softly held my hand and turned to look at me. "Jasamina, please let's go to the sofa. You need to take a seat and tell him your story. He can't help you if he knows nothing. He won't leave you alone."
His words were spoken so softly that it almost made me want to believe him, but there was still a tiny fear lingering in my mind. "What if he takes me back...?" I cried out. "What if-"
"He will take you back if you don't talk. I know Xaz, he doesn't joke with his work. You have to talk, Jasamina."
It was the first time I had heard him call me by my name, and it sounded so strange yet so nice at the same time. My lower lip trembled with uncertainty, but I gave a small nod and walked to the sofa while still staring at the intimidating man behind me.
I sat down with my baby, who was still sleeping peacefully and had no idea that his monster of a father had come to take us again. After taking a seat, I snuck a peek at the mean-looking man who had kept his silence throughout my exchange with Tanner. He was watching me with calculating eyes.
He walked to the chair directly opposite mine and sat down, staring at me and waiting for me to speak.
I began. "I am Jasamina. My parents were once farmers who were drowning in poverty, but life was peaceful then, even though we barely had much to eat. Life took a twisted turn for me when my parents forced me to marry, Ludale McCully. I had refused. I was seventeen, barely eighteen."
I paused to rock Jaimie softly when he stirred slightly, and in seconds, he went back to slumber. I continued, remembering vividly my mother's words. "You will be saving your family from poverty," my mother had said as she pushed me towards him. "You might as well say my family sold me to him. Not a single day in my husband's house was bright for me. Every day was torture. Every day, I got a new scar. Every day was a nightmare."
As I began to speak about my past, memories of the traumatic experiences I had tried to bury deep inside resurfaced. I took shuddering breaths and tears streamed down my face. Speaking about it opened old wounds that I had somehow managed to put behind me.
"I try escaping every single time, and every single time he caught me," I said, my voice trembling. "The punishment was worse than the last. It was severe. He would lay new designs of scars by beating me. Then, he would force himself on me. His men would rape me too, and he would watch..."
The pain rose inside me as I remembered the humiliation and torture I had endured. I had come close to death every single time. It was indescribable.
"Blood of God," Tanner swore beneath his breath. I looked at him and saw the barely concealed rage in his eyes.
Although I felt exposed telling these two men about my shameful marital life, I knew it was necessary if it would save me from ever going back. I averted my eyes and continued, "Dale has... erm... weird urges. It turns him on to watch men forcing themselves on me after he had beaten me to an inch of my life."
More tears flooded my eyes, and my vision became blurry. I stopped suddenly to recollect myself.