One of Nathan’s men handed him a blanket, and in an instant, Nathan made his decision. He moved fast, wrapping it around Tessa’s shoulders before she could react. Tessa screamed, her voice hoarse and raw. Her small hands started hitting his chest with weak punches. “Let me go! Let me go! Don’t touch me!” Nathan held her close, not too tight, just enough to keep her from collapsing, while tears streamed down her vacant eyes. “I hate you! Let me go!” she shouted, her voice full of anger and pain. “Enough,” Nathan murmured softly against her hair. “You’re bleeding, and I’m not letting you stay like this. You can hate me later, after you’re healed.” Tessa cried harder, her sobs breaking open, shaking through her entire body. Nathan had never seen her fall apart like this, not even when he

