James felt his heart break as she listened to her words. Why? Why did she have to suffer like this? How could anyone not treat Rosemary like the goddess she was? He felt his fists clench themselves and he suddenly wanted to find whoever made her suffer and beat him to a pulp. James was easy-going by nature, but people who hurt Rose deserved no sympathy.
He gripped her hand and almost growled, "I won't let him hurt you again. Not him or anyone else."
It was his fault, he knew. If he hadn't started dealing drugs, he could have been there for her. He could have kept her safe. He stepped closer to her and, slowly hugged her. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable, but it felt wrong not to do this.
"You deserve to be happy. Of course you can stay with me. It'll be like old times."