Page 2 of Bart (Hades Rejects MC)
When I placed my hand in his I felt safe, like no one would ever hurt or use me again. As he led me towards the hallway I saw Jack's other employees come running out towards us pulling on clothes, while hearing Castor yelling from down the hall.
“Where are you taking me? Shouldn’t I be leaving with them?” Pointing to the women scrabbling out towards the door, he didn’t answer me; he kept guiding me down the hall. He stopped in front of an ornate door; it had a beautiful angel carved into it with outstretched wings, like something you’d see on a tombstone. Using a key to open the door, he gently pushed me inside with him.
The room was definitely not Bart’s; it was decorated for a girl or a woman. A bedspread made of bandanas in beautiful assorted bright colors with matching pillows made me wish it was my room. Along the wall there was a bookcase filled with books and dolls, yeah this definitely wasn’t his room. I was afraid to touch anything, so I just stood there in the middle of the room being jealous of whoever the room belonged to. My room at home was a mattress with a sheet, nothing else, seeing this girl’s room made me want to weep.
“This was my sister’s room; you can stay here until my dad figures out what to do with you. Make yourself comfortable. If you need anything either tell me or my dad, there are clothes that might fit you in the closet. My dad said to have you change out of that.” He pointed to my outfit, and until that moment I’d forgotten I was wearing so little. I felt dirty and ashamed having him see me dressed like this. Turning away from him, I walked toward the closet to find something to put on over my outfit so at least I’d have something warm on when they kicked me out. He reached his hand out to stop me.
“Bliss, if I’d known he was.... if I’d known you were living like that. I’m sorry.” Why was he sorry? It’s not like we’d known each other before today, I mean I’d seen him in the halls at school, but we didn’t hang with the same crowd. He pulled me against his chest, hugging me to his body; I melted against him. He felt safe and comfortable, the two things I’d never had. Looking into his eyes, I saw compassion there right before his lips met mine. They were soft and gentle unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I’d been kissed a lot by the men Jack had set me up with, but this was different. This was my first real kiss, and it was heaven.
Just as quickly as he had pulled me to him, he let me go causing me to almost stumble. Before I could ask him why, he was closing the door behind him. I slid to the floor in a heap, sobbing. Several minutes later I could hear yelling in the hallway.
“You can’t keep her! She doesn’t belong here; you need to send her away.” It was Bart yelling at his father, hearing him say he didn’t want me there kinda hurt, considering he’d just kissed me.
“What would you have me do, send her back to that scum? Huh? No way son, she’s not going anywhere, your sister would want us to take care of her, period, end of story. I’ll get one of the old ladies to take her shopping and get her squared away for school; you won’t be responsible for her at all.”
Bart growled and I could hear receding footsteps. “Yeah, because I won’t have to watch out for her in school, or make sure she gets home safe, nope, not gonna be my responsibility Pop, right. Thanks a lot.” Before I knew it Castor was opening the door I was leaning against to listen, I stumbled backwards going to the closet to hide.
“It’s alright, I’m not here to hurt you. Bliss come on, if I’d wanted to hurt you I could’ve done it when you were in my room, not after I basically threw your......fatherout.” The way he said “father” is clear he finds him disgusting, I climb out of the closet looking down at my feet. I don’t know what’s going to happen now, what he plans on doing with me.
“Bliss, look I’m sorry.... shit......he never should.... if I could, I’d string him up for making you come here at all.” He looks lost looking at me; like it’s not me he’s seeing, but a memory of someone.
“My daughter, Isabel, would have been your age, this was her room. I’m sorry it’s not a teenager’s room. We.... she’s been gone for four years now, you can stay here until we figure out a permanent place though, it’s safe here, and your father can’t get to you again.” I don’t know what to say, essentially this man just kidnapped me from my father, but then again it’s not like I wanted to stay with that man anyway. My question was, why?
“It’s not that I’m not grateful, but I’m not sure I understand what’s going on. Why didn’t you just kick us both out? Why did you keep me?” I’m sure with their reputation it’s not good whatever it is.
“You deserve better than what he was doing to you, a girl should be able to depend on her father to protect her from the evils of this world. I couldn’t save Isabel from the disease that ravaged her body, but I can save you from that man. Now that I have you though, I’m not sure exactly where to put you, or how to deal with this whole thing. Hell half my club thinks I’ve lost my damn mind, the other half wants to kill your father.” I sit down on the bed contemplating my next move; I couldn’t let him be responsible for me out of some misguided guilt over his own daughter.
“I appreciate you coming to my aid, but I’m not your responsibility, I’ll work, pay my way while I stay here. Clean, cook, run errands, whatever you need me to do.” For a moment he looked pissed, like I had insulted him by offering to work.
“Bliss, let me make one thing very clear; the moment I took you in, you became my responsibility, period. When you reach sixteen we’ll renegotiate you working, but only if your grades are good. Now get some rest, it’s late and tomorrow we’ll figure everything out, alright?” He walked over and kissed the top of my head, something no one had ever done to me, it made me feel cherished.
Chapter One
Four Years Later
Bliss
