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"I'm Charles, and this is my business partner and best friend, Billy." Billy nodded from the front seat.
“Thank you guys so much for helping me tonight, but I don't think you realize what you got yourself into.”
Billy shook his head in the front seat, and I shrugged my shoulders. “We're used to getting into all kinds of trouble. You don't have to worry about us.”
She chewed on her bottom lip. I couldn't help but look at the bruise on her cheek.
"I know you see the marks on my face. He put them there. I was trying to leave him tonight, and I probably didn't pick the best time at a party, but I had to get out. I can't be with someone that does that to me." She put her face in her hands and started crying.
I brushed her long black hair off to the side and rubbed her neck. “Don't worry. We got you now. You're with us. Everything will be fine.”
2
ISABELLA
Icouldn't believe I was in the back of a car with these two strange men. There was a good chance I’d traded one devil for two new ones. But there was something about them that just told me I could trust them.
Charles was charming and kept his arm around me and made sure I calmed down. He had a muscular build but was thinner. He had short brown hair and brown eyes and looked like the guy next door, wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I could see some tattoos disappearing under his shirt sleeves, but they did not look like someone who would be in this life. But I had learned a long time ago that those were usually the ones you had to watch out for.
In the front seat, Billy was pretty quiet. He had a shaved head and looked like a tough guy, his muscles bulged on his arms, and he had a grim look. My guess was he knew the trouble they may have just gotten themselves into.
We finally pulled up to a large building, and I looked at Charles.
"This is our apartment building. We have the penthouse on the top floor, and security is very tight. Is there anyone that we can call or get you anything?"
I shook my head. "No. I had been staying with Bruce, and all my stuff was there. I'm sure he's probably destroyed by now, and I'll never get it back."
Billy chimed in. “Don't worry about it. We can get you new stuff. The good thing is you're away from a dickhead like that.”
I was surprised by his reaction, and it must have been written all over my face.
Charles smiled at me. “Billy hates guys that lay their hands on women. Actually, both of us do. But Billy really dislikes it. He doesn't like it when stronger men beat on women who are weaker than them.”
I smiled over at Billy, and he managed to turn up the corners of his mouth into a small smile. Something told me that that was the most I would get from him, and I took it. We entered the building and went to the elevator. We rode up in silence, and when the doors opened, we walked into this vast penthouse. It was pretty bare with just some minimal furniture and no decorations. It was a total bachelor pad and could use a woman's touch.
Billy gave Charles's keys back and walked over to a small bar to pour himself a drink. Billy glanced over at me. "Do you need something to drink? Maybe to calm your nerves."
I shook my head. “No, I don't usually like to drink.” He looked surprised.
I laughed. "I know, but how did a girl like me get into this world? Bruce and I grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts. He started in this business, and he changed. He uses a little, and it makes him a total monster. I thought he would get better. Maybe we could settle down, get married, and start a family, but he's only gotten worse. I had to get out of there."
Billy downed his drink and poured himself another one. “So we probably haven't heard the last of him, have we?
"No, probably not. In all honesty, I don't know what he's gonna do. He's been sleeping around. We haven't really been sleeping together, and he doesn't really want me anymore. But, still, he won't let anybody else have me. He's very jealous and possessive."
Well, we have the best security here. There's no way he's getting up here. And we'll figure things out. Don't worry.”
I smiled at Charles, believing him. It was crazy. I met these guys a couple hours ago, but I already trusted them with my life.
Charles led me down the hallway to a bedroom. “This is your room. There's a bathroom over to the right. You should have everything you need. Just let us know what clothes you might need or any makeup, shampoo, whatever; we'll get it.”
I smiled, “Thank you.”
Charles closed the door behind him, and I stood there, unsure what to do next. I looked down at the jean shorts and tank top I was wearing and glanced at the bruises on my arm that Bruce had left. First things first, I wanted to shower. I needed to get his touch off on me. His stink off of me. I never wanted him to touch me again.
I walked into the bathroom, thankful to find a robe hanging on the back door.
The shower was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and other body lotions and washes. It wasn't the stuff I usually used, but it would do to get him off of me.
