Page 7 of Evidence of Deceit

Did he know her? Did the sun come up in the east and set in the west? Did bears hibernate in the winter? Hell, yes he knew her.

There was so much he wanted to say, and he wanted to hear about Claire’s life. God, he didn’t want to stay, but he didn’t want to leave. The way he left things with her embarrassed him still. He couldn’t believe he was just thinking of her a couple of days ago and here she was, flesh and blood.

Claire almost droppedthe cup she was holding. She was ogling the fine male body that walked into the kitchen. Never imagined it was Joe. And “Slugger,” well, she hadn’t heard that nickname since high school.

That was the nickname Joe gave her when she was a freshman.

She had been taking a shortcut through the woods from school to her house. She never had a problem before, but that day, four older boys were fooling around and stopped whatthey were doing as she walked by. They started with the taunts, got closer and closer, closing her between them. One reached over and ripped her shirt, pulled down her bra, exposing her breasts. She cried out and swung at them, but they were too close, too strong. They laughed, and one started to unzip her pants while another held her.

Out of nowhere, Claire heard a loud growl, and a boy jumped into the fray and started pulling the boys off her and beating them. Joe Harkin. He was living at Mr. and Mrs. Grissom’s house. They took in foster kids, and Joe was new to the school.

She was screaming and hitting whoever she could. Joe was small but wiry and angry. He knocked down two of the bullies, who were bleeding and crying on the ground. He was working on the third. It was up in the air who would win. The bully had at least thirty pounds and four inches on Joe. “Run, Claire,” he shouted. But she couldn’t, wouldn’t leave him there.

The fourth boy had whipped out a knife and was heading toward Joe. Claire noticed a bat one of the bullies had thrown on the ground. She picked it up. Swung. Home run to the bully’s back. She knocked him to the ground and stood over him while he whined like a baby.

Joe was able to knock the boy that he was fighting to the ground. He kicked him in the balls and grabbed her hand. They raced toward her house.

Claire was sure she never told Mark about Joe saving her or the incident. Then again, why would she? He lived in Connecticut at the time, her family in Florida. Nothing he could have done anyhow.

“Claire. Claire?”

Joe’s voice cut through her memories.

“What? I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

“I asked if you were going to be here for a while. I’d loveto catch up.” She stared into the steel-blue eyes she had dreamed about for years.

No way was she going to be here to talk to Joe. What would she say? I’m the classic abused woman. I let my husband beat me until I couldn’t stand it anymore, but now I’m on the run. My life really sucks right now. I have nothing. No prospects for the future. No money or job. My life is a mess. That was never happening. Besides, she didn’t owe Joe anything. The day he left her, he lost that privilege.

“No, I’ll be here another day or so, but then I’m off.”

Disappointment and relief flashed through his eyes.

“So why don’t we all sit down and get reacquainted,” Mark said as he handed Joe his wallet. “I’m dying to hear this story.”

Joe reached for his wallet, stuffed it into his back pocket. “I can’t. Flight leaves in two hours, and I’m already behind

Joe looked at his watch. “I better get going, or I’ll miss my flight and my boss will fire me.”

Sam rolled her eyes.

Mark clapped him on the shoulder. “No worries. While you’re gone, we get to grill Claire and learn all your secrets.”

“Riiight.” Joe leaned over, gave Claire a little peck on the cheek and practically ran out of the house

Claire couldn’t decide if she was disappointed he left or disappointed that he couldn’t stay. She sighed. Either way it hurt to see him again and she needed to be gone before he came back. She just couldn’t win. She thought leaving New York and running from Keith was stressful. Now she would be running from Joe.

Chapter Five

Keith gave one final thrust as he erupted into Hillary Santmeyer. The release felt good even though he could have forgone Hillary’s hysterics. So, what if she was a little dry? Did she have to try to pull away from him and scream like that? Although hearing her scream with pain had turned him on—more. He had plunged into her with abandon. He could picture Claire screaming when he finally caught her. And he would.

Hillary gave a little cry of pain and moaned as he pulled out. Damn, she ruined the moment. Stupid bitch just couldn’t go with the flow. When she started whining about how dry she had been and how much it hurt, he lost it. Two timed blows to her breasts had her crying for real.

“There, now you have something to cry about.”

She tried to turn away from him, but he grabbed her chin hard and forced her to look him in the eyes, the fear in hers turning him on even more. “Don’t. Ever. Complain. Again.” He poked her chest with each word. “Or we are over.” His arm swept around the room. “And all this goes away.”

He grabbed her breast and squeezed just a little. But enough to cause pain. She squirmed, but he held on. “I paid for this. Do you understand?” Tearfully, she nodded her head.

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