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PROLOGUE
2 WEEKS AGO
“Where're you off to?” Levi asked, his voice hoarse and rough as he attempts to hack up the phlegm from the back of his throat and spit it to the ground. He takes another long drag of his cigarette under the lit streetlamps of the night sky, unable to let his gaze drop from mine.
The venom in his voice sends shivers of fear down my spine. He sounds so much like his brother, Rich. If I close my eyes, it could actually be Rich. I feel instantly paralyzed with fear at his words as he often just ignores me. It’s something I’ve become attuned to. I’m normally invisible to him, along with Rich’s pals. I learned a long time ago never to engage in conversation. It’s been drilled into me to keep quiet to avoid Rich’s wrath. My heart begins to race and my skin crawls at his words as I feel myself regress, the bravery I had felt waning, as the panic begins to set in.
No, this is my one chance. Rich is out for the count, his snores echoing in the room after the half-consumed bottle of vodka and the endless words of 'sorry' that he muttered earlier to me. They’re just words coming from his mouth with no real emotion present for his actions. I know they’re meaningless. I've heard the same lines many times before; except this is the first time he’s been physically hurtful.
I replayed the scene over in my head. The anger. The red mist of rage taking over. A slap across my face which knocks my balance backwards. The lit cigarette on my arm…
I nod slowly before whispering, “I know Rich, I know.” I act like everything will be okay even though each episode ends with me having more mental scars than the last time. But this time he’s gone too far. This time I’ll be left with visible marks, maybe even scars from his attack. The pain is an invisible reminder. My words seem enough to placate him so his body can finally pass out.
He’s gone too far this time. Enough is enough. One day he won’t stop, one day he could kill me; I know the statistics of abuse. If the abuser doesn’t acknowledge a problem, it gets worse and worse. He’s following that pattern. I need to get out and now, while I still have a chance. A chance to survive.
I wish I had the nerve to ask why. What is it about me that makes him do this to me? What have I ever done to deserve any of this? But no, I don’t want another slap across the face or even worse, so I keep quiet. My internal voice screams at me to leave, get out while you can, run, and don’t look back, not ever, this may be your last chance girl, go and go now! No matter how broken I felt, I know I have to listen to the thoughts in my head. It’s my best viable option and the perfect opportunity to go is now.
But I hadn’t thought that of all the people who could possibly turn up tonight, it would be him. Why him, just why?
Levi leans up against the lamp post, his knee tucked in, and his head is cocked to the side while he puffs a perfect ring of smoke into the air. His dark clothes and appearance, illuminated by the streetlights, made my body sag in relief that this wasn’t the man who’d hurt me. He’s the polar opposite in looks, with his thin frame, skintight ripped jeans, and a heavy metal rock band t-shirt who I haven’t a clue who they are. He tucks his windswept brown hair – that desperately needs a trim – behind his ears as the red glowing tip catches my attention and I shudder at the memory from just hours earlier. I rub the prickled skin on my arm, and I fight the urge to cower into a ball. I begin to lock the memories away while the sickness in my stomach fights to hurl up and escape.
Levi drops the half-used cigarette to the ground and grinds it out into the tarmac under his foot. I quickly start to level out my breathing as I remember it’s Levi, not Rich, and my focus becomes clearer. He slides the packet of cigarettes and lighter into the top pocket of his denim jacket and uses his foot to push himself to stand up. He crosses his arms across his front, whilst pushing his chest out and takes me in with his bloodshot eyes.
“Nowhere.” I hiss under bated breath as I look up at the apartment building I’d just left, making sure that the curtains don't twitch an inch, or I would be in for a lot of shit. “What're you doing here so late? No girl tonight?”
“Nope, does it look like I’ve got a girl with me? I guess he didn’t mention me coming over or that I’m actually staying the night.” He smirks as he raises his eyebrow and walks toward me and the door of the apartments. “You want to tell me why little Rich's girl has a pile of belongings outside with her?”
“Please… Levi.” I beg him as I watch him take a step toward me and I allow the tears to fall down my cheeks. “Pretend you never saw me.”
“Why?” he asks in confusion. “I should take you straight back in there and tell him what you’re up to. He fucking loves you and you’re planning to do this to him.” Levi marches toward me quickly, not giving me a chance to react as he grabs my wrist and drags me toward the door. I wince loudly while I dig my feet into the ground.
“Strange way to love someone,” I mutter quietly, before he stops and reaches for my sleeves. I shudder as I try to inch backwards but he stops me in my tracks with a glare. “No, Levi don't,” I warn but the words fall on deaf ears as he rolls up my sleeves and looks on in horror.
“What the fuck, Blaire? Talk to me before I demand answers from him. I’m not a big wolf all of the time.”
“How do I know that?” I scrunch my eyes up and draw my lips tight together in a thin line. “I thought Rich was a good guy, but look where that’s got me. Just leave it.” I reach down to cover the cigarette burns and drop my head low, unable to meet his gaze as the pity swarms in the depths of his eyes.
“Blaire, look at me,” he says, his nostrils flaring in anger. “Are you saying Rich did this?”
I nod as I let my eyes flicker back up to the curtains. I pray to the Gods above that they don’t start to twitch, otherwise we’d both have some serious explaining to do.
“I thought he'd changed, that things were different. I thought after Isla and George, his ex and child, he'd…” He blew out a shaky breath as his gaze dropped downwards.
“So did I, Levi. So did I,” I admit honestly, fighting back the emotion.
“Do you have a plan?” Levi asks, as he swallows back harshly. His Adam's apple bobs up and down in his throat alongside his fast pulse. The headlight of a vehicle fills the street as he pulls me into the side of the house away from their view.
“I… I do.”
“I want to help, Blaire. Let me, please,” he states confidently. “I know I haven’t been nice to you before, but I’d never condone violence… I won’t see you hurt. I just won’t let anyone be hurt by him. He’s a monster and I know I don’t seem much better at times around Rich. I do it to placate him and keep my enemy closer. Do you understand?”
I nod sharply, as I take his words in. Levi protects himself the only way he knows how. I’m angry that I didn’t let my walls down and see this side to Levi earlier. I’ve been stuck with Rich’s rules and scared to talk or find out about the people closest to him, and now I can see why. I either trust him or I don’t, but I need to get out of here and doing it with his help would be a lot easier than without.
“I’ve booked an Uber,” I blurt out quickly before I drop my bags onto the floor, thanks to the ache in my arms.
“Take these.” Levi grabs my hand and places a set of car keys into them and brings my coiled fist up to his mouth before he drops a single kiss to the top.
“I can’t take your Camaro. It’s your pride and joy,” I choke out, as I notice the faint outline of the car further down the street in the deep fog. Levi ignores my whines and picks up my bags and ushers me along the street.
