Jason yanked the scarf from the lady's head, and the suspicion in his eyes faded as raven-black hair tumbled down her shoulders. Her body trembled under the weight of his icy stare, and she exhaled in relief as he turned away, uninterested, and he strode off.
The door slammed shut behind him, making the women flinch in unison. A heavy silence hung in the air for a moment, and once they were certain that he was gone, the ladies exchanged glances and cautiously opened the door, peering down the empty corridor to confirm Jason was no longer near before closing the door and locking it.
With quiet urgency, they moved toward the pile of discarded clothes where Esme had hidden herself. Two women reached down, helping her up to her feet, and as she stood, her heart swelled with gratitude for their discreet cooperation.
