Chapter 2 Jenna's Story

Leon's head dipped a bit and he glared at her. When she didn't continue he growled, "More."

"Ummm, I tried to talk to mom, but she wouldn't listen, Le." Jenna tried to keep calm, but emotion won out and the words started pouring out if her like water from a fountain.

"She refused to believe me! She thought I was lying! She accused me of trying to take him away from her! Like I would want that nasty son of a bitch! And well a couple of days ago he caught me at home alone and I barely got away. Thank God I knew a little self-defense. So I just left, and I can't go back Le! It is untelling what he may have told her about me by now, that is if she even noticed I am gone."

All this gushed out of Jenna, she didn't even realize it didn't really make sense. She took a deep breath and said softly, "Leon, I didn't know what else to do. I don't have anywhere else to go. At least not anywhere he couldn't get to me. Please don't make me leave Le, please."

Leon had held her gently by her arms and softly rubbed up and down, trying to sooth her.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down Jen. Now. One thing at a time. Who is the guy you barely got away from and what did he do?" Leon tried to act calm, but what he was really asking was; who did he have to kill for touching his baby sister.

"John, mom's new husband." She said softly.

Leon whispered "Son of a bitch." He took a deep breath and asked "What did he do, Jen?" Leon watched her face carefully. He wanted to make sure she gave him the whole story.

"It started a few of months ago, not long after the wedding. At first it was just looks and little touches, or bumping into me, stuff like that. Then he started saying things, at first it was like compliments, but when mom wasn't around the compliments got really sleazy. That's when I tried to talk to mom about it. She wouldn't listen. He was very careful not to let her see or hear. But a couple of days ago while mom was at work, he came home early. I was just getting out of the shower and there he was. He grabbed me and tried to hold me down but I kicked him and ran for my room. I managed to get dressed and out the window before he broke thru the door. He was screaming at me out of my window when I drove away."

Leon pulled her into a tight hug and let her cry for a few minutes, before he asked "Did he hurt you, before you got away?" Jen shook her head no. "Are you sure? Jen you can tell me. I promise I will believe you."

Jenna looked up at Leon, "No Le he didn't get a chance to hurt me. I got a few bruises and scratches from the fight, but he didn't rape me. And the kick I got in should put a cramp in his performance for a while."

Leon grinned, "That's my girl. So what you left and came straight here?"

"No I spent the night at a friend's house. Then this morning I snuck in the house while they were both at work. I just threw all my worldly possessions into two duffle bags and then I headed this way."

"Jen why didn't you call me. I would have gotten you out of there or killed the bastard or something." Leon scrubbed a hand through his wavy hair.

"Well after mom called me a liar and blamed the whole thing on me I was kinda scared to call you. I was afraid if I called and asked to come out here, then you would tell me no. Figured it would be harder for you to tell me to get lost if I was already here." Jenna looked down at her toes feeling sheepish and guilty after he had believed her so readily.

"Easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission, huh? Oh yeah, you are going to fit right in here, kid." Leon said laughing and hugging her at the same time. "Come on, if you are staying, then we need to talk to Dom."

While Leon talked to Dom, Jenna propped up next to the car Jesse was working on. She and Jesse chatted for a while about growing up in their old neighborhood. Jenna told Jesse all about the how the old neighborhood had changed in the last few years. Jesse told her about living in the Toretto house, about street racing, and after parties. While they talked Jenna watched Vince working on the black Honda Civic in the next bay.

Jenna became so fascinated by Vince's rippling muscles that she forgot to listen to Jesse. He had to repeat his question three times. Finally Jenna heard him ask, "Why did you run all the way to Cali, Jen Jen?"

Jenna turned to look at Jess and figured everybody would hear the story eventually anyway. So she shrugged and decided to give the short version.

"My new stepfather figured that by marrying my mom; he was getting a two for one deal. I had to leave after he attacked me a few days ago. Mom didn't believe me, so that just left Le."

Jenna was facing Jesse as she talked so she didn't see Vince who had walked up behind her. As Vince listened to her, he was torn between the desire to drive to Arizona and beat the shit out of her stepfather, and the need to wrap her in his arms to keep her safe from the rest of the world.

Looking at Jenna, Vince quickly decided that having her in his arms was the way to go at the moment. He gently laid both hands on her shoulders and stepped up close behind her. He spoke softly near her ear. "Not just Le, baby girl. Now you got a whole team to look out for you. Don't worry."

Jenna felt heat radiate from Vince's hands on her shoulders. His scent surrounded her as he stepped close, his chest brushed her back and her butt was pressed against the front of his jeans. His presence was so comforting; she fought the urge to lean back against him. She turned her head to smile at him "Thanks Vince."

Jenna looked back at Jesse "Leon is talking to Dom now, about me staying here. Le said if we have to, he'll get an apartment for the two of us."

Jesse was shaking his head. "No way girl. Dom would never turn away family, especially not a little sis in trouble. You'll see Dom will be moving you into the Fort before the sun sets."

Vince squeezed her shoulders gently and again leaned into whisper in her ear "You can bunk with me if you want."

Jenna blushed six shades of red, but turned her head to whisper "I'll keep that in mind."

Leon and Dom walked out of the office and Vince's hands disappeared from her shoulders, but she could still feel him against her back.

"Family meeting" Dom yelled.

Letty and Mia walked over to join the group. With everyone standing in a circle I the middle of the garage. Dom announced, "Jenna can't stay with her mom any more because her step dad is a perv that tried to rape her. And since family is family, she is moving into the Fort today. Letty, you can move the rest of your things into my room and Jenna can have your room. Jenna, everyone works at either the garage or the store, Leon tells me you can do basic car stuff, so you can fill in here or at the store with Mia as needed, around your school schedule of course. Anyone have any objections?"

Dom looked at each person in turn, everyone shook his or her head no. When he got to Letty she just glared at him and cocked an eyebrow. Dom snorted and moved on. "Alright then let's close up shop and head home. We are going to barbeque some ribs and get to know the new member of the family."