Page 18 of Protecting His Woman
“I will, in front of Annette,” Damion said.
Neil shrugged, and they made their way to the barn where Annette was being held.She had a chain around her ankle, and also one around her wrist.He saw there were marks on her wrist and ankle, where it looked like she attempted to claw her way out.
“About fucking time you showed up,” Annette said.“Get me the fuck out of here.Piece of fucking shit.I should have bit your dick off years ago.”Annette spat on the ground.“Come on, let me out.I’ve got shit to do.”
Damion looked at her, and Neil didn’t move.Annette was so sure Vicki would save her.
“What is your dumb ass waiting for?Is Vicki out there?It’s about time her fat ass showed up.”
Damion looked at this filth of a woman, and he was surprised at how long it took Vicki to make a decision.Sure, she was a nice woman, a kind woman ...this trash in front of him was anything but.She didn’t even deserve five minutes of a person’s time, let alone a couple of days.
He turned to Neil.“She’s all yours.”
“What?”Annette asked.
Damion looked at Annette.“It would seem your family is done with you.Every one of your children can’t stand your guts.They hate you.They don’t want you home, and Vicki has to take into account what they all want.She can’t trust you around them.She is tired of cleaning up your messes, and knowing you were willing to sell her for yourself was the final straw.You are no longer a civilian of Old County.You are part of the Thames family.”
And with that, Damion stepped out of the barn, as Neil gave the order to have Annette branded.He was not about to tell the man how he dealt with people.Annette had been so sure of herself, the shit she said disgusted Damion.
Neil stepped out with him.
“You took a great deal of pleasure in that,” Neil said.
“That is the cost of doing business.”
Neil held out an envelope.“This is for Vicki and the Reid family.”
“You don’t even know if she’s your kid,” Damion said.
“This shit couldn’t have been easy, and I don’t like that Jude was able to do what he did on my property.I will pay the punishment, Damion.She deserves compensation.”
He took the money and placed it in his jacket.Vicki would get this money.He had a feeling she wouldn’t want it, but he was going to make sure she took it regardless.
After shaking hands with Neil, he left.
****
Much to Vicki’s surprise, she told everyone at the dinner table that night, and they were all delighted.Dhalia squealed.Betsy even looked happy.Smithy and Pete were so damn happy, they wanted to throw a party.Vicki didn’t want to deal with any parties.
The only person who wasn’t around was Frank.After dinner, Vicki helped everyone with their homework and read Betsy a story for bed.Warned Pete and Smithy not to stay up too late playing, and made her way downstairs to read.
It was past ten by the time Frank arrived home, and he wasn’t drunk, which surprised her.He collapsed onto the sofa, and Vicki lowered her book and looked at him.
“Are you okay?”she asked.
“Yeah, I’m okay.I should ask how you’re dealing?”
It had been a long time since she and Frank had talked.Most of the time, he was too drunk to give a shit.
“I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.I don’t think that was easy for you.”
Vicki smiled.“It wasn’t easy.”She shrugged.“But that’s life, right?It’s not easy.”She blew out a breath.“Mom’s gone.”
“She’s not dead.Not unless the Thames’s kill her.”Frank yawned.
“Do you really not care?”Vicki asked.
