Page 41 of The Thug And His Doll

“This is…” I choke out, willing myself not to cry. “What am I going to do now?”

Drix tips my chin up with his finger. “You’re going to carry on, that’s what you’re going to do. You’re gonna walk in there and meet the other kitchen staff and chefs before you officially start tomorrow, then I’m taking you all to dinner, and we’re going to figure out a plan of action.”

“But, I have nothing left,” I murmur, a rogue tear slipping from my lashes. “Not even my cookery books.”

Drix swipes the tear away with his thumb. “I’ll buy you more cookery books.”

“They were special to me. Some of them were my mum’s. They’re irreplaceable,” I say, shaking my head. His hand falls away from my face as he cuts me a look I can’t interpret.

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I feel responsible.”

“How is my car getting stolen your fault?”

“I should’ve picked it up sooner,” he replies, averting his gaze.

“All we have left are a few clothes,” I mumble, disbelief rolling through me as I try to absorb the news.

The lights decorating the Christmas trees behind Drix draw my attention, and I suddenly realise that I won’t be able to buy Toby all the things he deserves to make this Christmas special. An overwhelming feeling of grief presses down onto my shoulders at the thought.

“You have each other, Lia. That’s the most important thing, and you have me and Daisy. You have a safe place to live and people who want to care for you.”

“It’s Christmas soon,” I mutter. “I haven’t got any presents for Toby.”

“I can guarantee you the best Christmas present for that kid will be seeing a smile on your face and knowing you’re happy. Besides, now you have a job. You can buy him some gifts if that’s what you need to feel okay about all of this. ”

“Aside from Toby, that’s all just temporary,” I whisper.

“It doesn’t have to be,” he replies just as softly.

“But I can’t just–”

“You have a home with me and Daisy if you want it.”

“We’ve only known each other for a few days, Drix.”

“That doesn’t matter to me. I really like–”

“Don’t, Drix. Don’t say it.”

Drix drops his gaze, staring at his hand that still holds mine. The heat from his touch makes me feel things I shouldn’t, that I can’t allow myself to feel.

“If life has taught me anything it’s to grab something good and hold on to it tightly,” he says, squeezing my hand gently. “I want to be the man who’ll make you feel safe enough to laugh freely, to experience the joy you deserve. Even if it’s just a friendship you're comfortable with, I’m willing to be that friend for you. Either way, I’ll wait until you’re ready. ”

“You can’t mean that. I’m a single mum with nothing to offer you. We don’t even know each other, not really.”

He looks up, the deep brown of his eyes filled with empathy. “I know that you’re a wonderful mother, that your eyes light with this endless love every time you look at Toby, that you make the best lasagna and a cherry pie that I would request as my last meal on Earth.” He smiles ruefully then and my chest aches. “I know that you have a son who worships you. I know that you’ve been through the shittest time, but you’re still here fighting to regain your life back.”

“I have to be, for Toby,” I whisper, knowing on more than a few occasions than I’d care to admit I’d thought about leaving this world to escape Martin’s abuse. Leaving Toby with his father stopped me.

“I know that you’re scared, terrified that I’m going to hurt you like that bastard did,” he continues as though picking up on my thoughts.

“Drix, please,” my voice breaks, and this time I can’t prevent the tears from falling. All I’ve done is cry in front of this man. I feel like a failure. I feel weak, just like Martin always said I was.

“I also know that you’re going to get through this, because that’s the woman you are. You’re strong, Lia.”

“I don’t feel all that strong right now. I’m a complete mess. How can you be interested in me?” I ask, swiping at my face.

“You really don’t see what I see, do you?”

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