He pushes my arm away roughly, and I lose my balance, bashing into the concrete bollard by the entrance. He grabs myface, pinching my chin between his thumb and finger, my eyes widen, and my handbag slides down my arm, falling to the floor.
“Stay. The. Fuck. Away!” he shouts, his spittle landing on my face. “Do I make myself fucking clear?”
“Yes,” I murmur, fear ripping through my body.
“I can’t fucking hear you,” he growls.
“Yes,” I say a little louder, and he releases my face.
He runs down the steps and gets into his car, slamming the driver’s door. I stare after him in disbelief. He’s always had a temper, but he’s never laid his hands on me before. The wheel spins before he pulls away. But I’m frozen to the spot as I watch his car drive off into the distance.
I drop down onto the steps, grabbing my bag. I take a few steadying breaths, dipping my hand in to get my phone. My finger hovers over Clay’s number for a brief minute before I think better of it.
I glance at the time, realising I’m running late for work. Now more than ever, I need that job, because after that performance, there’s no way I can leave my kids with them. She’s out to set me up, and he’s falling for it. I won’t let that dirty slapper get custody of my children.
Clay
Yesterday with Bella was incredible, and I find myself pulling up outside the coffee shop so I can check in on her. We were so at ease together and she ignited something within me that I haven’t felt for years. It wasn’t just the need to save her, she made me feel alive.
As I enter the coffee shop, the little bell rings above the door and Jodie looks up. She offers me a strained smile, maybe the embarrassment of yesterday’s call is catching up with her. She wipes down the side with a rag before placing it in her apron.
“How’s it going, Mister tall, dark and handsome? Changed your mind?” she asks.Okay, maybe she’s not. Bella turns around to see who she’s talking to, and I smile widely until I notice she’s been crying, and my smile drops away. She turns away back to the coffee machine, but it’s too late. I’ve seen her puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks.I need to get to her.
I march round to the serving hatch that separates the counter and the customers, needing to get to her before she shuts me out. Jodie places her hand on the top of the hatch as I go to lift it.
“Erm . . . you may be fit as fuck, mate, but I can’t let you behind the counter.” I smirk, as if this five-foot-nothing blonde could stop me. I arch a brow and my jaw clenches. She visibly swallows, and I realise I must look every inch of the intimidating biker that I mean to be. I don’t like being told no. “Sorry, but it’s more than my job’s worth," she whispers.
Bella sniffles and runs into the staff room, away from the commotion.
“Listen, Jodie, is it?” She nods but still doesn’t remove her hand from the hatch. She’s got some balls. “I appreciate it’s your job, but I don’t give a shit about that right now. Belle needs me.”
She frowns. “It’s Bella. Fucking hell, mate, if you wanna get in her knickers, at least get her name right.”
I growl in irritation, running my hands through my hair. The door swings open, and a bloke stands behind her, his hands placed firmly on his hips.
“Who do you think you are, coming in here and upsetting my staff?”
Jodie turns, placing her hand on his chest.That’s right, calm your pit bull down before I put him on his arse.
“He didn’t do anything, Marco,” she says softly.
“Bella burst into the staff room beside herself,” he snaps, staring me down.
“She came in distraught this morning, Marco. She’s even more miserable than usual.”
“So, what’s all the commotion here then?” He towers over Jodie, glaring down at her, waiting for an answer.
“He wanted to come behind to check on her, but I wouldn’t let him.”
He eyes me for a second before nodding once and lifting the hatch.
“I warn you, though—” he begins, and I turn to look at him, arching a brow. “Yeah,” he laughs uncomfortably, “never mind.”
“What he means is, she’s fragile. Don’t break her any more, else we’ll break your balls.” He glares at her, his mouth hanging open, but Jodie just shrugs and turns around to continue cleaning.
I push open the staff door to find Belle curled in a ball on the sofa. Her arms are tightly clenched around her knees, and as I step closer, she looks up.
“All you ever seem to do, is see me cry.” She sniffles, wiping away angrily at her tears.
