Page 65 of Fake Rocks
I went for him again, but Darren put a restraining arm across my chest. “You don’t know me,” I hissed.
He laughed. “Yeah, I do mate. You’re just another in the long line of people who shagged Saff Barnes. And it’s averylong line.”
It was getting harder and harder to hold on to my temper. “But you thought you had todrugher to sleep with you.” I gestured to the foil, then the incoherent state Saff appeared to be in.
“She wanted it. She wanted me.”
My fists clenched beside me. I itched to punch his smart little face. “Look at her, she can barely focus, let alone consent to anything.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up in a sly smile. “I thought you knew her? Then you’d know she’s up for anything and will take anything she’s offered. Saff didn’t need my encouragement.” He glanced over at Saff, contempt crossing his face. “And the pictures would have been worth it if you hadn’t turned up when you did.”
The inference of what he was saying slowly sunk in. He’d been planning to sleep with Saff, take pictures and then… The thought disgusted me. That he had such little respect for a woman he needed to take advantage of her. Someone like Saff.
Already on edge from the whole evening’s events, I ground my teeth, contemplating my next move. Darren muttered in my ear he wasn’t worth it, I should walk away, get Saff, go home.
He was right. That was exactly what I should do.
Shame I didn’t agree.
I wanted to wipe the smirk off that low life’s face.
Letting out a hard breath, I tensed and drew my arm back; ready to strike. The satisfaction of catching him with a vicious upper cut to his jaw, made me lose concentration as he landed a punch on me.
Reeling, I heard Darren tell me to stop but I ignored him, getting in another blow while I still could. He angled himself between the two of us, effectively ending the fight. Blood dripped from the guy’s nose as he spat a mouthful of phlegm onto the carpet.
“Christ, is she really worth it?” He coughed.
My gaze moved between him and Saff. “Every. Fucking. Bruise.”
“Tris, stop!”
Saff’s voice rang through the room loud and clear and all our heads swivelled around to face her. She tried to pull herself up off the bed but lost her balance. As she fell over the edge, her head hit the bedside table with an almighty crack then she slid to the floor out cold.
“Jesus, Saff!” I shoved the guy out of the way and dashed to her.
Her face was deathly pale and there was a streak of blood on her temple. I reached down to wipe it away.
“Is she okay?” asked Darren, as he joined me at her side.
She was definitely breathing, if somewhat erratically and her pulse was strong. “I don’t know.” I looked up, taking in the abandoned foil. It was just the three of us in the room. It would appear Saff’s new friend had done a runner. “I think we need to call an ambulance.”
Darren already had his phone in his hand. “On it.”
Gently, I stroked her face. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. I’m here.”
Saff groaned. “Tris, is that you?” she managed, before turning on one side and throwing up all over the carpet.
“Yes, it’s me. And I’m not going anywhere.”
35
Saff
It hurt to move my head.
It hurt to breathe, my throat was raw and scratchy.
It even hurt to try and open my eyes. There was a bright, blinding light assaulting my vision and I wanted it to go away.
