Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

“I’l see that she’s taken care of tonight, and tomorrow we’l sort al this out.â€
    El e shocked him by not protesting his authority—something she would have fought to her last breath before. Her sisters parted ranks for him as he took El e away from the Drake sister estate, back to his pickup. He was gentle as he deposited her on the seat.
    â€œLet me get your seat belt for you, baby,†he said and reached across her, careful not to bump her body. She hadn’t let anyone touch her on the ship or on the airplane, not even on the smal plane that Joley had hired to take them back to the landing strip close to their hometown. She’d barely spoken, looking fragile—looking broken. He ached inside every time he looked at her.
    El e caught his hand to prevent him walking around to the driver’s side. “I’m not the same.â€
    His fingers curled around hers. “It doesn’t matter, El e. I’ve been there, remember? You’re never going to be the same. It doesn’t work that way.†He caught her face in his hands and looked into her eyes, waiting until she stopped avoiding his gaze. “We’l do this together.
    We’l get through it together.â€
    She swal owed hard, her expression so sad it was heartbreaking when he hadn’t realized he had a heart to break. “And if I’m pregnant?â€
    â€œThen it wil be our baby. I know you’d never give it up or get rid of it, so I’m with you on this one al the way. Ours, El e, not his.â€
    â€œYou’re sure? When I don’t even know what I’m like anymore?â€
    â€œI’m sure. Give me a chance, El e.â€
    She shook her head. “I’m so broken, Jackson. Inside and out. I don’t know who I am anymore. You don’t have to do this.â€
    His mouth tightened. His jaw set and a muscle ticked there. He stared her down without blinking. “Make no mistake, El e, I’m helping because I do have to do this. You’re mine. You were always meant for me . . .â€
    She put a trembling finger against his mouth. “El e Drake was meant for you. She’s gone—dead. She’s not here anymore.â€
    The hands framing her face tightened. “Whoever you are, whatever you want or need is standing in front of you, El e. I’m not asking for anything right now, only that you let me help you through this. We’l sort the rest out later.â€
    â€œProtect my sisters, Jackson. That’s what I need from you right now. They can’t touch me until I can build my defenses. They can’t be inside my mind.â€
    His fingers slid reluctantly from her face, so thin now, so ravaged. Her eyes were too old, too sorrowful, dark circles under them. He shut the door and signaled to his dog to come around to the driver’s side. Aunt Carol had looked after the animals for them al while they’d been gone, and she stood, along with the Drakes, tears in their eyes, watching from the porch. Even the house seemed to be weeping. He glanced around the yard, overgrown with vines and flowers and shrubbery, an explosion of color and a wealth of herbs. Every plant seemed to be looking toward El e, even in the dead of night. As he looked at the house, he swore it trembled, as if it already knew the legacy was fading away.
    Swearing under his breath, he refused to look at the sisters, holding hands, watching him take their sister from them—from her home. He slammed his door and started the truck.

    â€œYou’re certain this is what you want, El e? To be with me? You’ve had a hel of a time and you need someone gentle. If you put yourself into my care, I’m going to take care of you. I’l do what I believe is right.†He stared straight ahead, not wanting to see fear—or distrust—or even acquiescence. He had wanted El e Drake to come to him without the legacy, without her sisters, without him having to accept everything that came with her, and here she was, huddled so smal and vulnerable in his truck, delivering herself into his hands and he felt the wrongness of it. If she came with him, he was going to make this right. He was going to do everything in his power to make the prophecy of the Drake family happen. “El e?†he prompted.
    â€œYour choice, baby. Can you feel their love for you?â€
    â€œI