Page 33 of The Don

Just a simple sentence that means so much to a woman who only has herself to turn to.

“I learned a lot on the streets. How to survive, escape and defend myself. I listened in the shadows and began to observe. I begged for change and fed myself from dumpsters. I was a survivor. I kept on telling myself that and soon I even believed it. After the initial shock, I began to formulate a plan. Many ex-servicemen lived on the streets who were only too happy to spin me a tale or two. I used to encourage them to talk as we sat around burning oil drums and soon they even began to teach me how to fight.”

I chuckle as I think of those times.

“In a funny way, we became a family. They were lost, like me, but determined to survive. They looked out for me, and I looked after them and they made me stronger. They encouraged me to talk, and it helped pass the hours and then one day I got a lucky break.”

“What happened?” He doesn’t stop stroking my back, and it feels so nice I smile against his warm chest.

“A lady stopped by and dropped a handful of dollar bills in my lap before crouching beside me and offering me a warm drink. She was so kind, not judging me at all, and I was grateful for her compassion. Anyway, she offered me a job.”

Leo growls, which makes me laugh.

“Nothing like that. It was an honest job. OK, it involved working at a brothel, but only as a receptionist of sorts, and a room and food came as part of the package.”

I smile up at him.

“I learned a lot from Coco and her girls and not the things you’d think living among whores. Like me, they were trying to survive and once again, I found a family of sorts.”

Leo exhales sharply. “That must have been a lot for a young girl to deal with.”

“It was.” I nestle in further and finish my story.

“I stayed there for three years, saving every penny I earned. Then one day I bought in on a poker game and placed half my savings on it to win.”

“Did you?”

I smile at the memory. “I did. Poker was something we played a lot on the streets. Mainly for alcohol or a packet of biscuits. I was taught by the best and I learned my lessons well. Anyway, I was soon winning every game and earned a reputation and moved from the seedy joints to members’ clubs where the stakes were higher. I listened and did my research and soon discovered I had a talent for exploiting them. Then my life turned a different corner when I stumbled on a conversation I shouldn’t have. A man and a woman were discussing a hit. One the buyer and the other the hitman. I heard every detail and I swear my heart almost gave out on me. When they parted, I followed the hitman out of curiosity, I suppose. The moment he stepped out into the traffic, I could see it coming and shouted at him to watch out. It was too late, and a truck ended his life before he could even start the job he was being paid for.”

Leo’s hold tightens, and I love how safe he makes me feel.

“I didn’t waste any time and pretended to be his girlfriend, and bent over his body crying, while managing to pocket his cell and the instructions the customer had given him. As the circus grew, I slipped away in the shadows and that is how my next profession began.”

“You made the hit?” Leo says with interest, and I nod.

“The next day I followed the instructions and saw a woman leaving an upscale hotel with a man. I made sure it was the same person the woman ordered the hit on. Apparently, he had abused her daughter, who was nine years old and had been released on a technicality. The couple split up, and I followed him to the subway. It was so easy.”

For some reason, the memory makes me laugh.

“We found ourselves on a crowded platform and space was tight and I made sure to stand directly behind him. He was staring at the advertisement on the wall opposite, facing the rail and as the train came into the station, I pressed on the back of his knees, and he tumbled in front of it. Nobody saw a thing and in the chaos that happened next, I managed to slip away as they evacuated the station.”

Leo laughs softly, “I bet that felt good.”

“It did.” I lean back and smile at him, surprised by his understanding and say huskily, “I collected the money from their pre-arranged collection point, which felt amazing. It became something I did more for kicks than money. I only took jobs to kill the bad guy. People with no morality and corrupt souls who got away with their crimes.”

“You should be proud of yourself.”

Leo presses a light kiss on my lips and smiles. “I’m proud of you, Chastity, and I really mean that.”

“You are?” I stare at him in surprise and then I’m taken aback when he says with a soft smile. “Get dressed, baby. It’s time to get you that engagement ring.”

CHAPTER22

LEO

When I heard Chastity’s story, something broke inside me. I thought I had a bad childhood, but hell, that one beats mine hands down. I like to think I would be strong like she was, but I already understand it takes a special kind of human to deal with that shit, which in turn makes me realize the treasure I have found.

Chastity has never looked as beautiful to me as when she poured her heart out, and what started as lust is turning into a lot more. I want to protect her and keep her safe, but above all of that, I want to keep her by my side. I want to be the one she turns to, and I want to be her protector. She is not alone anymore, which by default means neither am I.

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