Page 28 of Property of Big Daddy

“I wasn’t dreaming.Someone was here.They want to take me back.”

“Who was here?”

“Hector.”

“He’s still in Mexico.I give you my word.Go fetch Gwynee from the kitchen, and get Doc Stevens to swing back by,” I order Lunatic and he looks at Daisy as though he’s seeking her permission to go.Fuck.He’s got a soft spot for her.He looks reluctant to go, but lifts his chin up and does as I ask.

“I know what I saw.”

“I get that, sweetheart.I’m sure in your mind you did see him.I don’t doubt that for a second.I can’t even begin to understand what you’ve gone through.But I need you to trust me when I say you’re safe here.I mean it.”

She looks skeptical and hell, I don’t blame her.I wouldn’t trust anyone either.

“How you holding up with the detox?”

She lifts a shoulder in response.

Coming off the hard shit she was being shot up with isn’t easy and can be dangerous if it’s not done right.

Gwynee appears in the doorway, concern etched on her face.“Hey, Daisy.Want to come downstairs and have some breakfast?”

Daisy shakes her head.I doubt she can tolerate much on her stomach with the hell her body is fighting.

“I can bring you a plate.You should try to eat something.”

“I’ll get it,” Sissy says from behind Gwynee, surprising me and startling my woman.

A sense of pride in Sissy washes over me, cracking another sliver in my hardened heart.

Gwynee is good for me, and I think she’s going to be good for Sissy, too.

Chapter Eleven

Isitontheend of the bed with Sissy across from Daisy as she pushes the same forkful of eggs around her plate, quietly.

“I understand you don’t want to talk about it, but you should talk to someone.”She glances at me but remains silent.“I went through something similar.Not as bad as what you’ve endured.When I was around twenty-one, I moved to Las Vegas with my boyfriend at the time.I thought he was Mr.Wonderful at first.He made everything sound like a fairytale.At first, things started off with my dancing to help pay the rent while he looked for a job.Then he began hosting private parties because it meant more money under the table.And when I would be nervous, he’d fix me a drink to loosen me up.I trusted him and had no idea that he was drugging me and that he’d let men pay to sleep with me.I’d wake up tired and sore and didn’t know why until I started paying attention to him putting something in my drinks.”

I swipe at the stray tear rolling down my cheek and Sissy gives my other hand a squeeze.

“When I confronted him.He laughed at me.Said no one would ever believe me and then he hit me and pushed me down the outdoor stairs at our apartment.I woke up in the hospital and was told that I had suffered a miscarriage.I knew then I had to get out or he would kill me.I called a friend, and she picked me up from the hospital and I moved back home with her until I got on my feet again.I’m telling you this because I want you to know that you can move forward and build a good life.Whatever ugly was done to you doesn’t define you.”

“Maybe,” her voice comes out in a crack.

“I know so, Daisy.I’m proof that it will happen.Especially when you least expect it.Someone is going to come into your life, and they will make you believe in good again.”

Doc Stevens, a friend of Big Daddy’s, shows up to check on Daisy.Sissy took off chasing after Hero and Lucie.Now I’m in search of my man so I can get a ride home.

I find him down the hall in his office, sitting behind his desk, smoking a blunt.

“How’s she doing?”

“All right, considering her situation.”

“And you?How are you?”

“You were listening?”

His expression darkens.“Want a name, Gwynee.”

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