AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I get it,” she tells me. “I’m the same way. I can’t bear the thought of being asleep and not being able to wake up if something happens.”
She gets me. She understands it all. I don’t feel as though I’m damaged goods around her. She doesn’t judge, and neither does Nell. I think it’s why we get along so great.
“Are you comfortable staying here?” The first time I asked them to come and stay here, they both were extremely hesitant. I pushed until they relented.
“I am. I just don’t want you to get in trouble with Elio. Tee, you’ve come a long way, and Nell and I have heard the stories about what Elio and his brothers have done. They may not hurt women, but we all know that if you’re pushed to the limit, things can change, and the life those men live… they could lash out at you, and then what? What’s going to happen?”
I rest my head against her shoulder. “Thank you for caring, but I want you both here. I need to know that you’re safe, and having you with me is the best way to ensure that.”
“Never,” she whispers harshly, “has anyone cared about Nell and I the way you do. You’re stuck with us. No matter what.”
I laugh, loving that I have friends. For the first time in years, I have people I can trust and rely on.
We sit in silence, watching the sunrise and deep in our own thoughts. I’m still adjusting to life without being tied and naked. Being able to do the simple things like use a bathroom was a hard adjustment. I kept trying to find a bucket, as that’s what I’d had to endure. It’s been tough. Some things aren’t as easy to stop doing. Like the moment I hear a man’s voice in the street, my entire body freezes and I push close to the nearest wall, trying to make myself as small as possible so that I’m not seen. Thankfully, my girls are there to shield me when that happens.
The door to the bedroom opens, and I turn to see Nell wearing a deep green summer dress. She looks gorgeous. Her beautiful red hair is flowing down her back, shiny and sleek. Over the past week, we’ve managed to find some clothes from the thrift shop, most brand new with tags on them. Being able to shower and wash the clothes makes a huge difference to the way we feel and has given not only me but also Nell and Portia the ability to love ourselves more.
“Nell,” I say with a smile. “You look amazing.”
She beams at me. “You think so?”
I nod. “Yes, you look stunning.”
“She’s not wrong, girl. You do look amazing. Where are you going?” Portia asks.
Nell’s hands wring together as she shifts from foot to foot. “Well, with Teagan letting us stay here and us actually having a physical address, I was hoping that I could maybe get a job? I have an interview today at the library. It’s only part-time, but I thought…” she trails off with a shrug.
I put my empty coffee cup down on the floor as I rise to my feet. I rush over to her and pull her into my arms. “That is totally cool. I’m so proud of you,” I tell her, and I truly am. As a woman who was born on the streets and grew up on them, she’s uneducated, but she knows a lot. Over the years, people have taught her how to read and write. She’s a quick learner, and I know she’s going to be amazing whatever she puts her mind to.
“Really?” she asks shyly.
I nod. “Really. And you’re going to knock their socks off. You are amazing and you look beautiful. Let’s get you some breakfast. You don’t want to go to your first interview without some food.”
Portia reaches for her and whispers how proud she is and that she wishes she could do what she’s doing. But for Portia, the moment she steps into the workforce, it could get back to her stepfather, and that’s something none of us want. Her stepfather is the reason she’s on the streets. She ran away from home, and she’s determined to never return.
Two hours later and we’re all ready for our day. Portia’s going out shopping with the money Elio left me. I hate using it, but both Portia and Nell agreed that we need to eat, so we would only use Elio’s money for food and necessities. I begrudgingly agreed. We need food, and as long as we don’t go overboard with the cash he left behind, it will last us a while.
“Okay, remember,” Portia says as she and Nell leave, “be back before nightfall.”
That’s a promise we’ve all made each other. We’re free to come and go as we please, but we have to be back before nightfall. It’s just a precaution to ensure that we’re all safe.
“I’ll be back,” she promises us. “Have a good day, ladies,” she says, and I love that she’s so upbeat and happy. “I’ll see you all soon.”
I watch as she and Portia leave the apartment. I’m not stupid. I know this apartment contains Elio’s men, and that they no doubt have reported back to him about who’s coming and going from this apartment, but he’s not been back since that kiss. I’m grateful for the reprieve. He messes with my mind whenever he’s around.
I tidy the apartment, wanting to keep it clean for us all. I throw our bedding into the wash, wanting the girls to have a clean bed to come home to. I smile. I enjoy doing this. Knowing that I’m free to do whatever I like is refreshing, but cleaning takes my mind off everything else.
The elevator doors open, and I turn to look at who’s here. My heart stutters as I watch Elio walk in with Jade Gallagher right behind him.
Everything falls together. I should have known. She did this. She’s the reason I’m here. God, I knew she was lying when she said she wanted to keep me safe. And what does she do? Have her brother-in-law threaten to kill me if I don’t do as he says. Yeah, she was a fucking liar.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I drawl, knowing that the best way to keep him at arm’s length is by acting like a bitch. I need to steel my heart and keep my guard up at all times. Around my girls, I’m able to be me and I’m able to be free, but with everyone else, I have to keep my guard up and make sure that no one can hurt me again.
Elio’s eyes narrow and darken on me. “This is—” he begins pointing to the woman behind him.
“Jade Gallagher,” I hiss. “Yeah. So again, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Jade steps forward, her eyes watching me carefully, but I’m not the woman she met almost two months ago. I’m stronger than the woman she found in the basement. “Teagan, with the wedding happening next week, we have a lot to do. Today, we need to get yours and Elio’s pictures taken for the announcement of your engagement.”
