“C’mon now,” he said gently. “You’re safe. You hear me, Jolene? I’m here with you and he’s not anywhere close to you. He’s never going to get close to you again and if he tries, I’ll get myself between you and him, and he won’t walk away from that. I’ll f*****g kill him. Believe me.” That dark, dangerous edge was back and he tried hard to moderate it, not wanting to scare her more than she already was. “You’re OK. You’re totally, totally safe. Deep breaths. Breathe, baby. Just breathe.”
“You won’t leave me?” she gasped out.
He didn’t understand. “Leave you? I told you that I won’t leave the hotel… I’ll be in the lobby the whole night.”
“No.” She gulped, fighting to do as he said and breathe deeply. “I mean… this room. Please don’t leave me here alone tonight.”
“You – you want me to sta
