Page 14 of The Cleaner

I sigh. "We've spoken about it. She wanted to wait until I was stable being with her before she reopened her home. I was her first foster child, and I know that she loves me, but she's got so much love to give. I know having another foster child to love would help her too."

Clodagh's arm tightens around mine. "You've also got a big heart," she tells me quietly. "You'd be an amazing sister."

I laugh as we enter the kitchen, which is also full of people. "I already have one, Clo. You know that."

She rests her head on my shoulder. "You're my sister too, Lis. Mine too." She straightens and I see the joyful girl back again. "Let's get you a drink."

Five drinks later and I'm feeling the buzz. I didn't intend on drinking so much, but the longer I was here, the more I needed to drink, what with dealing with handsy assholes who don't know what the hell no means to Clodagh being so drunk she's barely able to speak without slurring. I'm keeping my eye on her. She doesn't want to leave. Clodagh loves me and she feels deeply for what I went through. While I'm recovering from what happened to me, today marks the day that hurt me deeply, and Clodagh hates it. Just as I do when her day comes around.

"Clo?" I call out as I exit the bathroom and realise that I can't see her. "Clodagh?" I shout.

"Yo, Lisa," I hear one of the assholes from earlier call out. "Your girl is a hell of a lot more fun than you are."

My eyes narrow at his words. "What are you talking about?"

His laughter sends chills down my spine. "She's having fun with three of my boys."

"Where?" I demand. There's no fucking way she's in any way coherent to give consent to that.

"Chill, yeah?" he says, raising his arms in the air.

"Chill?" I growl as I move toward him. "She could barely stand. Where the hell is she?"

"Lisa?" I hear a feminine voice say from behind me. I spin on my heel and see a tiny woman sitting on a guy's lap, his arms wrapped around her and holding her tight. "Is your friend the gorgeous blonde with a beautiful smile?"

I nod. "Yeah. You know where she is?"

"She went upstairs. I'm not sure which room. Freddie, you'll help her, right?"

The man sighs. "Sure."

I shake my head, my gaze moving to the pool stick that's propped up against the wall. "No need," I tell him as I grip the stick in my hand and run up the stairs, my heart racing and my head pumping.

As I reach the top of the stairs, my eyes scan the hallway lined with closed doors. My breath quickens as I realise I have no idea which room Clodagh could be in. The music from downstairs is loud, making it hard for me to hear anything. I’m scared of what could happen to Clodagh.

Without hesitation, I start checking each door, my heart hammering in my chest as each one opens and there’s no sign of my best friend.

Finally, on the fourth try, I turn the doorknob and push the door open slowly. The room is dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a bedside lamp. And there, on the bed, lies Clodagh. Her eyes are half closed and she’s barely able to keep her head up. I swallow hard as I realise she’s naked from the waist down.

My stomach twists into a tight knot as I rush to her side, pushing away the guy who had his hands all over her. "Get out," I growl through gritted teeth.

He stumbles to his feet, a smirk playing on his lips. "She was begging for it," he slurs before stumbling toward me.

I stand tall, my hand tightening around the pool stick. “Come near me, asshole, and you’re going to regret it.”

I hear laughter and realise too fucking late that I’m cornered, as the three men who came up with Clodagh edge toward me. "Looks like you're fucked, sweetheart," one of them sneers, stepping closer.

Bile churns in my stomach. I haven’t been called sweetheart in a long fucking time. The last person to call me that was my dad. Fuck no. This asshole doesn't get to call me it.

I swing the pool stick with all my might, catching one of them across the jaw. His head snaps back, and he stumbles, dropping to the floor.

Another one charges at me and I take a deep breath and raise the pool stick, swinging it with all my might as he draws nearer. The impact against his head sends vibrations along my arm, and I hear a faint cry of pain as he stumbles back.

The third one lunges at me, and I brace myself for the impact, but instead, the door bursts open behind him and three men enter the room. One is the guy whose lap the girl was sitting on downstairs. The other two, I’ve never seen before. One steps forward and pulls the guy who was about to attack me backward, throwing him to the ground.

"What the fuck?" the new guy snarls, his eyes narrowing as he stares at me. His dark, piercing gaze takes in every detail of my appearance. I feel a sharp jolt in my chest as I meet his intense brown eyes, framed by thick lashes. His hair is dark and tied up at the nape of his neck. He exudes danger, but it only adds to his allure. He’s gorgeous. So beautiful.

I lower the pool stick, my heart racing as I take in the sight of the gorgeous man who’s watching me with curious eyes. “What?” I ask, as I reach for Clodagh. She’s limp against me, but I don’t let go.

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