“It’s okay, honey. I’ll take care of everything.”
“It hurts. It all hurts, and it won’t stop.”
“I know. I’m here, and we’re going to help you. Jerry told me you’re to take your time. I’ve already called to the diner and put a call through to your mom.” Ashley kept talking, but Mia’s head was hurting. Standing up, she wobbled over to the mirror and winced. She was a mess. Dale had landed several blows to her face. She had bruising down the right side of her face, a bleeding lip, and it also looked like there was a cut across her eyebrow.
Purple bruises rose up around her neck. They stood out against her pale skin where he’d choked her.
You’re safe now. He’s not coming back.
Curse had come to her rescue, saving her.
Ashley appeared behind her. “Mia, stop looking at yourself. It’s not going to do any good, and you’re only going to get upset.”
“I hurt.”
“I know, honey.”
She followed Ashley to the bath and removed the remains of her clothing. Her uniform was a mess from Dale’s rough handling.
“He was an animal, Mia.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” She stepped out of the uniform and the bra. Her panties were torn from her body, and they were back at the house.
Closing her eyes, she lowered herself into the warm water, wincing as it sloshed over her cuts.
“I’m here. I’m going to get rid of this. Please, stay here.”
The door to the bathroom opened. She wrapped her arms around her legs, drawing them against her chest.
“You can’t go in there,” Ashley said.
“I’m going to pass on a message. Don’t tell me what to do,” Pussy said.
She heard some shuffling outside the door. Pressing her head to her knees, she heard Ashley sigh.
“She’s hurting right now.”
“Those clothes need to go back to the house. Give them to Death. He’ll know what to do.” Pussy spoke the final order. Seconds later she heard the front door opening and closing.
Looking up, she saw Pussy standing in the doorway.
He didn’t avert his gaze as she stared back at him.
“Where’s Curse?” she asked, wishing he was there to hold her. The only man she trusted near her was Curse.
“Something has come up. He’s having to stay at the house for the next twenty-four hours until someone comes to clean up the mess.” Pussy sat down on the toilet. He stared down at his closed palms.
“Dale’s dead, isn’t he?”
“You’re not surprised by that?”
She shook her head. “He was going to hurt me, really hurt me.”
“Babe, I hate to break this to you, but you’re not exactly looking all with it right now. The f**ker did hurt you.”
Mia winced at the memory of Dale’s hands on her. “I was an idiot. I let my guard down once, and he was there ready to pounce.”
Tears fell from her eyes. She felt them run down her cheeks dropping into the water.
“What were you thinking?” Pussy asked.
She stared at him. He wasn’t looking at her body but at her face. There was nothing sexual in his look. Pussy looked freaked out about something.
“What’s going on?”
“Curse has encountered some problems. The club is handling it, but I want you to answer some of my questions to see if you’re worthy of our trust.” Mia wanted to argue but chose to remain silent. After everything she’d been through, she wasn’t in the mood to fight with anyone, least of all Curse’s friend. “If you knew how dangerous Dale was, why did you continue to work for him?”
“I needed the money.”
“Curse would have given it to you.”
“Stop!” She sobbed the word out, glaring at him. “I’m sleeping with Curse. To the outside world we’re boyfriend and girlfriend. I’m not going to be like the club whores who take from him for sex. I will not be the same. I can earn my keep and take care of me and my mom. I don’t need anyone to take care of me.” She wiped at her eyes and tried her hardest to keep her emotions together. “I want to be different when it comes to Curse. So many other women have taken from him. I want to be the one who he doesn’t have to pay.”
During the time they’d been together Curse had invaded her heart, and now she was trapped with her feelings. She’d fallen for him, and Mia wanted to mean more to him than a quick f**k.
He saved me.
Blowing out a breath, she turned her gaze back to Pussy.
“You’re in love with him.”
She didn’t dispute his words.
“Does he even know how you feel?”
“No, he doesn’t know, and he doesn’t need to know yet. This is a bit of fun to him. I was a challenge because I didn’t fall at his feet.” Pussy was a good looking man. He had long hair tied at the back. His body was thick, tight, coiled muscles. She saw why Ashley liked him. “When this is all over he’s going to want to leave. I’m not going to be everything he needs. He’ll realize the truth very soon.”
“You’re wrong. You’ve got no idea what he’s done to protect you and the club.”
The sound of the front door opening filled the room.
“Ashley’s back. I’m going to leave you to your wash. Get cleaned up and spend the rest of the day relaxing. I’ll drop by to see your mother.”
He was at the door when she told him to stop.
“I needed the money for my mom. Her medical bills have never stopped. She needs to be taken care of, and that’s what I do and what I pay for. I don’t spend the money elsewhere. It all goes on my mom.” She chanced a look at him.
His expression was closed off.
“I’ll take care of everything.” Pussy nodded at her and left the bathroom. Keeping hold of her legs, she heard Ashley enter. Her friend looked pale, and as she reached for the soap her hands were shaking.
“Hey, honey. You’re going to end up all wrinkly if you stay in the water too long.” Ashley kept talking.
“What’s going on?” Mia asked.
“Nothing is going on. Just be glad you’re here and not at Dale’s. I promise you, everything will be fine. Jerry is in his office dealing with some stuff. I’ve just been with him and Devil talking a few things through. You don’t need to worry about a thing. I’m taking care of you. We’re going to have a girly day here. I think some movies, ice-cream.” Her words went on and on about what they could do with the remainder of the day.