Page 40 of Tech

Trying not to vomit, I quickly scramble to all fours, trying to ignore the pain shooting through me. I somehow manage to get out of his door. I rush outside of his building, stumbling several times before I climb into my truck, and the floodgates open. I sob, the situation hitting me so hard I can't breathe.

Carol set this up; she tried to have me raped, all because I fell in love with her son.

Wait…. Or was it Nina? He said both so maybe both, but I…. I…. Oh God…. My fingers itch to grab my phone, to call my momma, but my sobs rip harder out of me, knowing I can't worry her or daddy with this, I just can't…

With tears coating my cheeks, I quickly start my truck, pull away from Marcus' apartment, and drive a few miles down the road, before pulling over.

I grab my phone and bring up the number of a person I know will have my back, just like he has since I was little when a billy goat knocked me over, and he chased it away. It rings five times before he answers.

"Princess?" he asks with worry.

I sob, then croak, "Ty, I need you…."

The next day, I slowly stroke Ms. Hanny's cat, Benny, on the head. He purrs, making me smile slightly despite everything last night, and the flashbacks hitting me so hard I want to throw up.

I spent over two hours in the shower feeling dirty, replaying the scene repeatedly until Ty rushed in. He was near the area, visiting his friends, and promised to stay until he returned to Mexico. I know Uncle Deacon will try and keep things afloat at their ranch until I'm ready. Ty called him and explained the situation, and Ty promised not to tell my dad, even though he'd be mad about being kept in the dark.

I can’t have my parents know about this; Momma will freak and force me to move back into the main house and, right now, this isn’t what I need.

When the bell above the door rings, I blink, and come out of my head. I swallow hard. I've put the closed sign up because I don't want to speak to anyone.

My heart pounds, the memory of Marco's breath on my cheek making my eyes tear up, the urge to call Ty down from upstairs pulling me.

What if it’s him?

What if he’s here to finish the job?

"Hello, Brook?" someone shouts, and my tears fall, knowing it's Breaker.

I keep my head down, looking at the cat on my table as he walks in, not waiting for me to answer him. I swallow hard, hoping he doesn't see my swollen face.

I'm lucky Marcus didn't break my nose.

"Brook, I've brought a puppy for you to take a look at if you have time. He ate half a pound of chocolate," he said, then sighs.

I nod, still not looking up. "I'll, uh, just put Benny in his crate," I whisper, lifting the tabby cat up, and taking him to his crate. I try to slow my breathing, wondering how in the hell I'm going to explain the bruises.

He states, "Can you, uh…hurry? I need to return the puppy to Snake before Sarah realizes he's gone."

Snake bought Sarah a puppy? That man can be sweet when he wants to.

I nod, trying to ignore Breaker’s snarl.

Slowly, trying not to make a sound from the pull of my side, I bend down and pick up the puppy.

The yellow labrador puppy licks my face, making me smile a little. I check him over while Breaker starts to pace. I can feel his frustration and anger, making the room tense, before he finally snaps.

"I know I shouldn't be getting involved, and I need to keep my mouth shut, but Tech loves you, Brook, and dammit, I'm fucking mad at you! I saw you at the apartment blocks, walking in with that guy. How could you go home with someone when Tech spends all of his in the ring beating the shit out of brothers and that fucking bag? How could…."

My tears fall, bile rising at the thought of him thinking I'd choose someone to go home with. I look up for the first time since he walked through the door, my anger taking over me.

I shout, "I didn't go home with Marcus; he said he had an injured cat they found behind the bar, and he tried to rape me."

Breaker freezes in shock, his eyes looking over my bruised face, and I cover my mouth, sobbing, hating that I just told him.

"Explain, Brook!" Breaker snaps, but I shake my head with a sob, my side hurting from the movements. The puppy licks my face, and Breaker rounds the counter, gently cupping my cheek. Anger radiates from him, but his eyes soften toward me, and he whispers, "Please, Brook, tell me what happened. Please, fucking tell me I didn't let you walk into that apartment last night only for…."

His voice is laced with guilt as his words trail off, and I grip his shirt, whispering, "I got a call. Someone named Mara claimed to work at Devil’s Rose bar. She stated she found an injured cat, but when I got there, Marcus, a jackass we all went to school with, claimed he took the cat to his place." I shake my head, my body trembling. "I had a heavy feeling in my gut, but I didn't listen to it. I followed him home and walked into that apartment." I hiccup. "Something didn't feel right. I followed him into his kitchen only to find him drugging a glass of wine I didn't even ask for. Before I could get out of his apartment, he grabbed me by my hair and threw me on the ground. I managed to remember what James taught me in the ring and get out of there."

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