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My lower lip trembled as I wrapped my towel around myself.
“Thank you,” I mumbled as I opened the door just enough for him to pass through the folded clothing.
“There’s food out here too when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.”
I shut the door, staring at the tracksuit pants and long sleeved tee with underwear. No bra, but that was fine.
I got dressed, taking my time as I brushed my teeth and sorted out my hair, staring at my reflection.
The woman staring back at me had a pained look, something dark hidden behind her eyes.
Maybe I wasn’t so different from the brothers after all.
I put on a liner as well, finally allowing myself the slightest smile at Thomas’ thoughtfulness.
I owed him too much, and his kindness was a godsend.
I wiped the drying tears from my cheeks before finally leaving the bathroom. Thomas was seated at the small table by the kitchenette, two plates set out but the food still packed into containers.
“There is a Chinese place around the corner, hope you don’t mind Chinese, thought you might be hungry. You’ve been through a lot,” he said as he gave me a thin-lipped smile. “There’s dessert, too.”
“Thanks.”
“I know it’s stupid to ask, but are you… okay?”
“I’ll live.”
“Right. Do you need a doctor or hospital? I should’ve asked that sooner,” he said as he looked down at his hands uneasily.
“I’m fine, sore, but fine. Nothing serious,” I stated as I crossed the room and slumped into the seat across from him.
“I’m sorry, Veronica. I really am. I should’ve gotten you out of there sooner—”
“You freed me. The timing doesn’t matter. You’re still a kid really, you didn’t know what was the right thing to do.” I cut him off as I eyed the cans of Pepsi.
I popped one open, taking a sip as I focused on the smell of the food.
“I knew what was going on wasn’t right,” he said quietly.
“What’s done is done, Thomas. And I owe you, so please don’t beat yourself up.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I could’ve been hurt even more or killed, so I do owe you,” I said firmly, finally catching his pained gaze. “How about we drop it and just eat?”
He nodded, his brow drawn together as he dished out some food for us both. Honey chicken and fried rice from the look and smell of it.
“So, these clothes are from the manager? He sorted out the car?” I clarified as I picked at my food, my appetite non-existent, but I knew I needed food.
“Yeah, these kinds of places, motels run by someone in bed with one of the families, tend to act as a type of safe house, so they usually have spare clothing and vehicles and such. The manager will make that truck disappear. This place will operate as a shady motel normally, you know, for those looking to get their rocks off or get a quick fix behind closed doors, but it’s a safe zone for those the family needs to protect, flying under the radar without using an actual safe house.”
“You know a bit about this type of thing, huh?” I remarked, and he shrugged.
“All the families have places like this everywhere. But only those high in the ranks know about them, I don’t know where any of ours are.”
I just nodded as I downed some more of my Pepsi.
