Page 28 of Quiet Chaos

“Christoff McDonald.”

Officer Murphy asks, “Do you have any idea why he attacked you?”

My hands shake, thinking about what he was saying while hurting me. None of it made sense.

“I’m not sure. He yelled all kinds of things, like how I ruined everything. His plans for me.” I run my trembling fingers through my hair, patting the bandage on my forehead.

“Why did you two break up?”

I glance at the window, thinking back to when I escaped the car, and ran into the gas station. The punches and bruises before then. This will be the first time I tell anyone about his abuse and plans to make money off me.

I gather the blanket in my hands. My focus is elsewhere as the memory plays in my head. “At first, things were fine. After he completed a job, and the money ran out, he became agitated. That’s when he would hit me. He’d hit me when I wouldn’t have sex with him. Or for no reason at all. The day before I got away I heard him arguing with a friend. His friend told him to…” The tears pool in my eyes, and I choke a little before proceeding.“...to charge people to have sex with me. I’m a virgin, so he would make a lot of money from it.”

Cade’s arms fall to his sides, mouth opening and closing, and runs his fingers over his trimmed goatee. I reach for his hand to give it a squeeze. He stares down at me with a pained expression and my heart aches.

My attention returns to the officers to avoid breaking down more. I need to get this out. “When he finished talking to his friend, we fought about it. I begged for him not to…told him he will burn in hell if he does what his friend suggested. He smacked me around, and the next day…” My shaky fingers pinch my lips, thinking about what might have happened. “Christoff was driving to his friend’s house. At a stoplight, I ran from the car.” I glance at Cade before closing my eyes. It’s time to tell the truth. “He pulled into the gas station, and I hid inside the store.” When I open my eyes, Cade is staring at me. “I waited until he left.”

When I finish, the officers thank me for my time, information, and leave.

Cade sits, glancing down into his lap, muscular legs stretched out in front, and crossed at the ankles. His hair falls to the right side of his face. Biceps squeeze against the sleeve of his T-shirt. I’m mesmerized by how attractive he is and how he shies away from believing in his goodness. Because not knowing is better, I refrain from asking if he’s mad that I lied.

I turn to the window to take in the sunshine. My eyes close as I replay what happened to me. Christoff screaming. Mr. Henry and Ms. Lila gasping and crying. His fury rained down. Every punch, kick, and stab siphoned all the air from my body, like a vacuum.

I don’t realize I’m crying until Cade’s thumbs brush the tears away. The bed dips when he sits on the edge.

“You okay?” I give a weak smile.

My raw voice says, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything.”

He shakes his head and offers a weak shrug.

“Have you been here all night?” I get the usual nod from Cade. I take his hand in mine and say, “You should go home. Armstrong is—”

“He’s with Patsy and Reed.”

His eyes rise to mine, and for the first time I see an agony I haven’t seen before in him. My hand cups his cheek and I run my thumb over his lips. I’m surprised I do it because it’s so intimate. I’m an emotional bubble about to burst. This contact with Cade keeps me grounded. He turns his head and kisses the palm of my hand before taking it into his. It’s so gentle and kind. We sit in silence, listening to the monitors, the chatter of the nurses, while we simmer in our own thoughts.

Over the next couple of days, the club members visit: Influencer, Patsy, Reed, and Gunner. It’s awkward with Gunner. As much as I understand his situation, it still hurts that I wasn’t the one he wanted.

14

“Whiskey – The nighttime sniffling, sneezing, how the hell did I end up on the bathroom floor, medicine.” Unknown

Cade - November 2019

A bitter turmoil rages inside every time I recall Sky’s story about Christoff. He beat her. Wanted to sell her for sex. After all he dealt her, I’m floored she even came home with me the day she escaped from him. Then again, she was aware of what would happen to her if Christoff found her. He’s in for a surprise once I get my hands on him. A plan has taken root.

I stayed at the hospital until they discharged Sky. This is the second day since she’s been home. I’ve hired an at-home nurse to care for her during the day. Her broken ribs keep her awake, and she has vomited from the searing agony. She has medication for the pain, and we apply ice packs. It hurts like hell when she moves. The nurse makes her walk around the kitchen so she doesn’t get pneumonia. Too many times I witness Sky’s silent tears, eyes and jaw clenched, as she focuses on each step. It kills me to see the little Princess in pain.

Yesterday, I worked from home, and today I’m back in the office glaring at Seth’s order. The prospects haven’t found anything amiss with the Devil’s Warriors. Since I’m wary of placing the order, I had a prospect send word to Seth that I want to talk.

I arrive at the dingy bar the Devil’s Warriors frequent. Other than some motorcycles, the rest of the graveled parking lot is empty. The door creaks open on rusty hinges and the smell of vomit, nicotine, and stale alcohol hits me. Seth sits at the end of the bar with his back to it, drinking a beer, and watching a half-naked drunk woman dance on a stage. My boots clunk onto the sticky floor, which alerts him of my presence.

He turns his head to the bartender, orders two beers, and watches me plop down a couple of stools away. I grab the beer and guzzle half of it. I’m looking into the wall of mirrors that run the length of the bar.

We say each other’s names as an introduction, and then he says, “I’m sorry to hear about your dad.” I remain quiet. Anger stirs inside, provoked by his acknowledgment of them. “Charlie was a good man.” My jaw ticks at the sound of my dad’s name. “And your mom, too.” It’s now fury. My head turns toward him.

His eyes light up a bit. “Hmm…you have the same eyes as your mother.” I slam my beer bottle down. “So, you know who I am.”

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