Page 68 of Broken Doll

I don’t reply. I’m going to wait until we head back home to see how her mood is. I open the door to the café. “Would you like anything?” I ask her, as she grabs two sandwiches and some water for her friend.

"No thank you." She places the things on the counter. I order myself a coffee and a hot chocolate for Hope. It's getting much colder now. I hand it to her, and she frowns. "What's this?"

“A hot chocolate.” She takes the cup from me as we walk out of the café. She takes the lid off and looks inside. “Hope, I promise it will taste nice.” I can’t help but smile at her. She’s the cutest person I’ve ever seen.

I watch her take a sip and lick her lips. She glances up at me. “Thank you, this is really nice.”

I pull her closer to me as I see a group of businessmen walking out of one of the offices. Her grip on my jacket tightens as they walk past us. She hangs her head and looks at the pavement as we make our way to the park.

Jackson told me that he would be close just in case anything happens; we both need to be ready for anything. I know how fucked up that man is so he’ll do what he wants when he wants and I have to find a way to get one step ahead of him.

Making our way to the tunnel, I stand a few steps back as she hugs her friend and gives her the food. I can't fully hear what they are saying, but I can hear the odd word here and there. Hope takes off her jacket and gives it to her friend. Taking a deep breath, I shake my head. I take my coat off and walk over to wrap it around her. Hope's friend looks at me with a smile. Returning it, I take a few steps back so they can carry on talking.

“Looks like he’s been there to help you. You look healthier, happier.”

I smile and feel good that Hope looks happier to her friend, as that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her.

“I’m happy with him,” I hear Hope reply. Taking a few more steps away from them both, I light up a cigarette and lean on the wall as I watch them talking.

As I stand there, I think about the charity We Are Loved. I'm in a position to help in more ways than that, and I think I'm going to talk to the doctor on Monday about a few other ideas I have.

I push myself off the wall as Hope makes her way to the other side of the tunnel and I remember what it's for, so I leave her for a moment, but I still take enough steps closer to see what's happening around her.

"I thought I told you to never look up." Hope freezes and I glare at the man walking close to her. I quickly walk toward her, but I'm stopped by two men who move me back a few steps.

Hope screams as her Uncle grabs a handful of her hair and throws her to the ground. “I told you I’d always find you!” he shouts at her.

Hope’s gaze drops to the floor.Come on Hope look at me.

“You must be the man that’s looking for me," he takes a step forward. This fucker doesn't even know who I am. My attention moves to Hope again, and her head moves to the side so that I can see her.

“What do you want? You’re killing a lot of people that I do business with." He looks back at Hope then at me with an evil grin on his ugly face. "Talking about business, this one is for sale, but I also know that she is worth—"

“Fuck you, asshole.” I push one of the guys out of the way to make my way over to him. “You look at me and tell me that you don’t know who I am!” I yell. This fuckerwillknow who I am and hewillknow who’s going to kill him.

He looks me up and down then his eyes connect with mine, and we stare at each other for a moment. He starts laughing and a rush of cold blood runs through me as I remember him laughing like that once he was finished with me.

“Leo… Leo, Leo, Leo. You ran. You know, I haven’t found anyone like you again.”

"You're one fucked up man, and I can't wait to kill you."

He kneels and grabs a handful of Hope’s hair and pulls her to stand up. “Just like this girl here; never found anyone like you either.” He moves his face closer to her.

“Don’t you fucking dare touch her!” I shout at him. “Hope, look at me.” It takes her a moment, but her eyes lock with mine. “Do you trust me?” She gives me the smallest nod. “I’ll find you. I promise I’ll find you.”

Her uncle starts laughing again. “This is just so sweet, but I’m going to enjoy having to train you again.” He slaps Hope hard across the face which just pushes me.

I push one of the men and take quick steps toward her, but I’m stopped again when the other one punches me in the face. As I hit the ground, he continues to kick me in the stomach. He pauses briefly as I'm on the ground, so I grab my phone from my pocket and ring Jackson before putting the phone back in my pocket. I try to stand up, but get punched in the back.

"Get him up!" Jack shouts. One of the guys goes to grab me, but I push him off me. "Now Leo, this is what I'm going to do, because I like you. I'm in New York for a week then I'm leaving. So you have a week, to find me. You haven't had much luck finding me, but if I'm in New York, I'm making it easy for you."

I'd say something to him, but he knows just as well as I do that if I don't find him in the week, he'll become a ghost in my life again. This is my only chance to find him.

He looks at Hope and pulls her closer to himself, gives her another slap and whispers something into her ear and I watch as her body shake.

She tries to fight her way out of his grip but it’s tight around her hair, she’s crying now as I hear her sobs.

Taking a step closer to her again, I receive a hard punch to the stomach, and I start coughing as I try to get my breathing back to normal. I look over at Hope and signal to her with a nod. I need her to break free and run.

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