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“Sonya!” Tessa greets as she finishes her pour and hands it to the man standing next to me. He gives me some serious side eye before ambling away. “I was about to go check on you and make sure you didn’t slip into a coma,” she teases.
“Sorry. I wasn’t expecting to be out for that long,” I tell her before nibbling on my bottom lip. I push away the voice in my head telling me I’m lazy.
“Hey, there’s nothing to apologize for. As long as you’re safe and happy, that’s all that matters. If you need sleep, then sleep. It’s that simple.”
I nod, absorbing Tessa’s words.As long as I’m safe and happy, that’s all that matters.Safe and happy. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever felt that way until coming here.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
Tessa rests her hand on top of mine and gives it a little squeeze before flitting away to help the next customer.
Blade was right. Tessa is awesome, and we’ve become friends in the last few days. Her best friend, Sutton, has also been hanging around. They’re both with members of Savage Saints. I want to ask them a thousand questions about the club and what it’s like being the partner of someone with so many responsibilities.
I’m not sure Blade wants people to know we’re together, though. If we’re even together at all, that is. I’m still half convinced nothing happened between us, and he’s going to show up and be his usual growly self.
“Hey, there,” someone says from beside me.
I startle a bit and turn to address the man. “Hi…” I trail off, not expecting the man to be so close.
I lean away from him and get my first good look at the man. He’s on the short side, but he’s bulging with muscles that stretch out his leather jacket. He has more than a few teeth missing, which I notice when he gives me what I think is supposed to be a seductive smile.
“You look like a lost little lamb,” the man continues. His voice is scratchy and grates against my skin with each word he speaks.
“Um, no. I-I-I’m supposed to be here,” I inform him, though my voice is wobbly.
“You sure about that? You don’t sound convinced. Either way, I bet I could make you feel right at home. What do you think, little lamb?”
He scoots closer, crowding my space as his eyes roam up and down my body.
I haven’t prayed since leaving home, but I start praying now, asking for the floor to open up and swallow me so I don’t have to be in this man’s presence for one second longer.
“N-no, I’m just waiting–”
“Waiting for Prince Charming? You’re not gonna find him here. I can show you a good time, though.”
Before I can react, the man lunges, his hand inches from my chest. I’m about to scream when he’s suddenly pulled back. I watch wide-eyed as the creep is lifted from the chair by a tattooed hand wrapped around his neck.
Blade.
He tosses the other man to the floor and spits on him before stepping on his chest with his massive boot. “Stay there, fucker. I’ll deal with you in a second.”
I’m shaking from head to toe, frozen in place as I stare at Blade. As if sensing my gaze, he jerks his head up, and his deep brown eyes lock on mine.
My heart sinks to my stomach when I see anger and disgust staring right back at me.Is he mad at me? What did I do? How can I make it better?
“Go to your room,” he commands me through gritted teeth. His nostrils flare as his jaw pops from clenching his teeth.
Something snaps in my brain. One minute, I’m in the bar, and the next, I’m floating out of my body. My mind flickers and flashes until all I can hear is my father screaming at me to go to my room.
I’m barely aware of my feet shuffling along the floor. I need to get to my room before I make things worse.
Don’t cry. Father hates tears. Don’t talk back. It’s against God’s rules, and Dad will have to punish me. Just be quiet, back against the wall, don’t talk, don’t flinch, don’t breathe.
I burst into my room. I’m confused. It doesn’t look like my bedroom at home, but I somehow know it’s mine. The past mixes with the present, flashing lights, my father’s voice, the crack of the Bible as he uses it to slap my face…
A shudder works its way down my spine, followed by another and another, until I’m trembling and nearly hyperventilating. Still, I press my back against the wall, standing as straight as possible and trying to make sure my heels, calves, butt, back, shoulders, and head are all touching the wall.
It’s harder than one might think, but I’ve gotten somewhat used to it. Until about minute twenty or so, anyway. That’s when the muscles start to cramp.
