Page 75 of Twice the Rivalry

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Win snarled. “Not all men are like you. Not all men would beat and rape us. Not all men would treat us like a commodity to sell and abuse. We are more than a bunch of holes for you to fill.”

“We know what good men are. We’re surrounded by them every day. Ones who treat us like we’re normal and have something to offer other than our bodies. We have a whole club at our backs to help us. You can’t ever take that away from us. And that’s why we’re going to push ourselves until we purge you out of our lives forever,” Wren yelled, voice raw, and eyes wet with unshed tears. “You will not win. You will not tell me to beg for mercy again. You will not tell me that if I only say that one word, you’ll stop the pain. As you hurt me. As you took Win from me to do worse to her to keep me in line.”

“And you won’t turn my body red from pain and blood again,” Win yelled, her voice raw as well, tears tracking down her cheeks. “Because we are not broken. We are survivors, and you will never take that from us. Every time you try to come back, we will beat you. We will kick your ass again and again. Because we’re stronger, and we already beat you. We’ll keep beating you.”

“You will never win,” Wren whispered and Win nodded, gripping her sister’s hand like a lifeline.

Tom didn’t say anything as he stood and regarded them for a moment. His face was flushed, his mouth was bleeding, and his eye already swelling shut. He didn’t move toward them, didn’t reach out to touch them. Instead he said, “That’s something you need to remember at all times. Never let those bastards win. Never let them get in your head, to send you spiraling. If some asshole grabs you, you know you can protect yourself. And when you’re done stomping him into the dirt, you have a hell of a lot of people in your corner that will join in.” This time he took a small step forward and said in a low voice, “You are not broken. You might be a little scratched up, but you have a strength that will never let you give in. Not everyone is that lucky. Got me?”

Both girls nodded, and Glitch watched as their eyes lost the desperate and wild glint and they crashed back into reality. They stared at Tom. “I’m sorry I punched you in the mouth,” Wren whispered.

“And I’m sorry I punched you in the eye,” Win added.

Tom gave them both a wry smile. “Just ups your cred that no one should be messing with you,” he pointed out.

They both gave watery laughs. “Yeah, I guess it does,” Wren agreed. “Won’t it lower yours, though, getting beat up by two girls?”

“Nah,” he replied, wiping at his mouth. “I’ll just tell them I fought two wildcats instead.”

Both girls laughed again, and then one by one, they stepped forward and hugged him. Tom looked uncomfortable for a moment, but then hugged them back, understanding they needed it. When they stepped back, he nodded at Karissa and then Glitch before heading to doors of the gym. Glitch turned to watch him walk by Rogue, whose face was like a thundercloud, while Scarlett’s was full of pain as tears poured down her face. Tom didn’t even look at Rogue, but Rogue stopped him with a hard word. Glitch waited to make sure he didn’t overreact, then Rogue said something to Tom that had him looking at the man in surprise. Then he nodded and continued on his way.

Glitch wondered what was said, but instead, she turned back to the girls. Now that the whole episode was over, they were shaking and trembling, and tears were flowing down their cheeks. “You did it,” Glitch told them softly, cupping the sides of their faces as she spoke. “I am so proud of you both.”

“Me too,” Karissa said softly, taking their hands. “How do you feel?”

“Shaky,” Win answered automatically. “And a little sick.”

“That’s normal,” Glitch assured them. “You’re going to feel shaky and off for a few days, but you need to remember that’s okay. This was you pushing past a trauma, and you’re going to need extra support over the next couple of days. So you need to make sure you’re getting help if you need it, understand? You don’t want to talk to anyone else, you come find one of us or both, and tell us. Our doors are always open. And if I’m not here, you can always call me. Just know I’m on your side no matter what.”

Both girls nodded, and then they both broke down into sobs. Glitch pulled Wren in close, while Karissa did the same to Win. Glitch looked over Wren’s head to Rogue, who looked stricken. Scarlett made no sound, but she was gripping him like a lifeline. Glitch held their gaze and jerked her head for them to come forward. Wren and Win would need their parents after this.

Rogue was to them in an instant. Within seconds, he had both girls balanced on his big arms, as if they were small children, their faces buried in his neck and both of them holding onto him for dear life. Then he was heading out of the room. Scarlett followed closely behind him, not sparing Karissa or Glitch a glance.

Once they were gone, Glitch sank to the ground, exhausted and shaking. “Fuck,” she hissed, rubbing her hands over her face as she realized she was crying herself.

“Yeah, I know,” Karissa murmured. Glitch looked over and saw her wiping her own tears. “Those two girls have been through so much. Did we just make a huge mistake in pushing them?”

“No,” Glitch said, though she wasn’t as sure now. “They needed to do this. For themselves.”

“I just hope they don’t hate us for too long,” Karissa sighed sadly.

“If they do, we’ll handle it. I’m more worried Rogue is going to tear me apart,” she said with a weak smile, wiping at more tears.

“I’ll protect you,” Karissa joked.

A noise sounded from the door and in strode Razor, concern etched across his face as he moved to Karissa, scooping her up off the floor. “I got you, baby,” he soothed, before turning and walking out, completely ignoring Glitch, his attention fixed solely on his woman.

Glitch watched them go, and a pang hit her. There wasn’t anyone to come comfort her. She would have to handle it on her own, like always. Sighing, she wiped her eyes and got to her feet, cleaning things up.

She put all their gear in her bag, but froze when she felt a hand on her waist. She looked over her shoulder to find Code behind her, appearing concerned. Neither of them said a word as they looked at each other, until finally he pulled the bag out of her hand and set it down. “Come on, kitten,” he murmured, pulling her into him before lifting her up into his arms. “I got you.” Then he carried her out of the room and up the stairs. Her heart pounded in her chest, and everything inside her settled as she breathed him in.

Glitch laid her head on his shoulder, realizing she was in trouble. But at that moment, she didn’t care. She was glad to have someone hold her, even if only for a moment.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE

CODE

At the sound of a gentle knock, he eased out of bed and moved toward the door, glancing back at Glitch to make sure she was still sleeping. She was exhausted, and concern ate at him. She was a damn strong woman, but even she had limits, and helping the girls today had been tough. He also saw her expression on the camera when she was left alone in the gym after Razor collected Karissa. Resigned, sad, and a bit hurt that she was left behind. He hadn’t thought twice before he headed into the gym to get her.

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