Page 11 of Doll Face

“It’s okay to take a day off.”

“Nah, it’s really not. Thanks for caring, my friend.”

She patted his arm and then exited the car, turning and waving as she headed for the stairs of her second-floor apartment. Tommy took off and she slowly made her way up to the landing. Suddenly, a hand reached out and yanked on her purse, spinning her around. A man stepped from the shadows, towering over her. Scars lined his face and tattoos covered his bald head. He terrified her. Without thinking, she tried to yank her purse away, but the man raised his arm and punched her in the face.

Darkness immediately consumed her.

When she eventually roused, she discovered she was still lying outside since no one bothered to help. She groaned as pain engulfed her, tears springing into her eyes. What the hell had happened? Then it all came rushing back, and Macy looked around for her purse, seeing it lay only a few feet away. The contents were strewn all over. Her chest felt tight, restricting her breathing. Using the handrail to help herself up, she made her way to her possessions and collected them. Luckily, the asshat didn’t take her rescue inhaler and she had to puff twice to ease the constriction in her lungs. Grabbing the rest of her stuff, she realized almost instantly that her money was gone. A sense of hopelessness settled in her soul. She worked damn hard for her money, and to have some asshole just take it almost made her cry.

Slowly, feeling like an old lady, she climbed the stairs to her apartment and let herself in. Feeling vulnerable, she pushed the coffee table in front of the door just in case. Her keys had been in her pocket, thank goodness, but she didn’t feel safe. Hurrying into the bathroom, she flicked on the light and gasped as she saw her face. The man had punched her across her cheek, splitting the skin and bruising the entire area. Dried blood had coagulated around the wound. Tears sprung into her eyes, pulling her down into self-pity.

She found some acetaminophen and took it before stripping to shower. The hot water hit the cut on her cheek, making it sting. Afterward, she dried and put a bandage over it. All she wanted to do was sleep, and that’s what she did, crying herself into slumber. Sometimes, life was too damn hard.

Chapter Five

“Who the fuck did that to you?” Matteo demanded the next morning. All the jovial greetings he’d given her the past couple of days fell away. In his place was someone cold. Lethal. Macy blinked at the anger, and for a moment she wasn’t sure if it was directed at her or not.

“I was mugged,” she replied, very aware of what her face looked like.

Matteo stormed up to her, around the counter, but his touch was soft. Concern filtered through his eyes, easing that flash of fear she’d felt. He carefully tilted her hand so he could inspect her wound better. At that moment, her boss came from the back office.

“Excuse me, you’re not supposed—” Amanda immediately shut up after Matteo pinned her with a look. Wariness flashed over her face as she looked between them. “Oh. I see you’re helping Macy.”

“I am,” he said. “Do you know who did this to her?”

“No, she doesn’t,” Macy answered instead of her boss. “You can ask me, you know, since I was the one that got punched in the face.”

Matteo pinned her with a glance. “Very well. Where did this happen?”

“In the courtyard of my apartment complex,” she said sighing.

He blinked. “What? Where the fuck do you live?”

She was shocked at his intensity. “Um, south side.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “What did the doctor say?”

“I didn’t go to a doctor,” she said.

His dark eyes flashed. “Why not?”

Macy took a step back from him and lifted her chin. “Because I can’t afford it or missing a day of work. Because I have a catastrophic deductible. Because it’s just a cut and a black eye.”

“You could have a fractured cheek.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“I’m not willing to risk it.” Matteo looked at her boss. “I’m going to take her to my physician.”

Amanda nodded quickly. “Of course. And don’t worry about your pay, Macy. You’ll get the full day.”

“But who’s going to help you?”

She waved her hand. “No worries. Not the first time I’ve been here by myself. Let me get your purse.”

When she dashed to the back, Macy arched an eyebrow at Matteo. “Being a little bossy, aren’t you? And I still can’t afford going to the doctor.”

“Don’t worry about the money.”

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