Page 14 of The Burnt Heart

He snapped open the letter, and I struggled under the weight of his friend pressing down on me. The three had ambushed me while I was out on my morning jog. I’d been carrying the letter to figure out what to do next. The sky was gray and overcast today, and strangely enough, there were no other runners this early in the morning. The three burly men had pulled me off the path, far enough away that no one would hear my cries for help. They crowded me like hyenas bunched together and baying for my blood.

“Give it back,” I shouted, but they shoved my head into the ground again. Dirt wedged between my teeth, and I spat it out, frantic but too late. He passed it off to the third guy with a nod.

“Take a photo of that. It could come in handy.” He strolled over to me, staring down with a calculating smile. “You didn’t listen to me last time. What does Miss Orazio see in you? When you clearly have shit for brains.”

I didn’t know his name, but we were well acquainted. Or at least, his fists were friends with my body. This wasn’t the first time we’d played this game. He hauled me up, and I cried out, my ribs aching from the heavy stomp of their boots. The metallic tang of iron coated my tongue. I heard a low whistle, and my letter fluttered out of their hands onto the ground. My chest heaved. Now they knew. What would they do?

“I told you last time, just like I told you before that. You’ll never convince me to break up with Adelaide.”

The guard dropped his bottom lip out before shrugging.

“Boss won’t be happy about it, but I guess I’ve got an excuse to beat the shit out of you a little more.” He nodded to the guard behind me. My neck wrenched back, and a sharp sting made me freeze. The guard in front of me smiled. Sadistic fuck.

“We need some incentive, do we? Let’s see how brave a leech you are with a blade against your neck.”

He didn’t give me a chance to respond, balling his meaty fist and sending it straight into my stomach. I groaned, jerking forward, which sent another wave of agony through me. Razor hot pain stole my vision and warmth ran down my chest, seeping into my shirt. The guard cracked his knuckles and raised his eyebrow.

“Ouch, that looks deep. Bet you’re going to tattle on us to your girlfriend now, aren’t you?”

I spat, the red tinged glob seeping into the dirt.

“Fuck you. If Antoni wants me to break up with his daughter, he can beat the shit out of me himself. It’s not happening, no matter what you do to me.”

The guard let out a snort, exchanging sly looks with his two companions. I knew this wasn’t going to be a quick, furtive beating. This one was going to hurt. And as he swung his fist back again, the sharp metal noose of the blade cut me deeper than before. My whole body bruised under their unrelenting punishment.

All because of who I loved. Who I wouldn’t give up. This hadn’t been the first time they’d threatened me, but it was the first time I feared for my life. My body was locked in agony as black bled in, taking me with it.

3 days later

“You missed two of your shifts. What did you expect me to do?” Aaron rolled his eyes, scrolling on his phone. I tamped down the surge of anger that flooded my body, trying not to make sudden movements. “Don’t slouch against the counter, I know you think you’re a hotshot with your pipedream gym idea, but I run a professional business here. I expect my employees to be on time as well as welcoming. If that’s too much to ask, I’ll have to cut down your hours again.”

I adjusted my clothing to reveal the white bandage placed across my neck. Excruciating pain raced through my body, and my nostrils flared as I sucked in a fortifying breath.

“I was in the damn hospital,” I argued, but Aaron flattened his lips with displeasure.

“Put your collar up. We don’t need patrons thinking we encourage violence here. On that note, if I catch you talking to any of the boxers who frequent here again, you will be let go.”

I couldn’t even touch the violence comment because it made me want to throttle his smug expression off his face. If I wasn’t bruised all over, I might have stepped up to him, but right now, it hurt to breathe. Antoni’s guards had done a number on me. They’d left me bleeding and bruised in the park, unconscious. I’d lied and told Adelaide I’d been mugged. I hadn't felt this impotent since I was a child and was facing off against my foster father. I had always defaulted to defending Briar and Logan, even when I was younger and clearly outmatched. Briar would take everything without complaint, and Logan would freak out if he was touched. It was up to me to protect them and I'd done the best I could. It wasn't enough, just like now.

“How do you propose I stop them coming to me for advice, then? Because that’s what they were doing. If you offered proper lessons rather than how to polish muscles for Insta you might be more successful,” I bit out, my temper grabbing control of my tongue. My inner fire had led me to boxing, in school the gym teacher had pried me apart from the bullies who were tormenting Logan and Briar. He'd commented on my right hook as he escorted me to the office, offered to teach me. Boxing had been the only thing I had to look forward to. When you're trapped in a miserable situation, when you can't do anything to help your friends, it's impossible for the emotions not to overflow. Aaron’s gaze flicked to the near empty gym with a scowl. He leaned forward and jabbed his finger on the bench.

“You’re done. Clear out your locker and leave. You’ve got five minutes before I make sure your little friends are fired too.”

I didn’t need to clear out my locker. I kept everything I needed in a bag at my feet. A habit I hadn’t broken since living at the foster home. In case I needed to make a quick getaway. My pasthad taught me to act quick and it had saved me more times than I could count. I swallowed a curse as Aaron sauntered off, the popped collar on his polo shirt like a red flag to a bull. It took immense effort to lean down and grab my backpack. I clutched it in my hand and shuffled toward the door to find a lean, older gentleman holding it open for me.

“Are you alright?” His eyes flashed with concern as I let out a tight gasp. No, I wasn’t alright. My father-in-law had beaten the shit out of me. I’d just lost my job, and I still had no way of making my idea a reality. Fat droplets were painting the street, and the drumming sound made me sink deeper. I was going to get soaked walking to the station.

“Yeah, fine,” I sighed at the man who was still hovering beside me. A raindrop caught on the shoulder of his dove gray suit, and he shifted closer to me for shelter. I weighed my options. I could call Adelaide, see if she could send someone. But then she would ask why, and I’d have to lie about losing my job, about the extent of my injuries. God, I was such a fuck up. A leech just like those assholes had accused me of. Just once, I wanted to prove I was worthy. I could stand on my own two feet and be proud. Instead, I was hunched over, barely functioning.

“You don’t look fine,” he side-eyed me.

I grunted, letting my bag plop at my feet so I could wrap an arm around my waist. Every part of me ached right now, including my heart and soul.

“Is there something I can do for you?” My nerve endings were fried.

He ducked his head, the boyish chagrin looking out of place on his weathered face.

“You’re Jesse Stokes, right? I was coming to speak to you.”

---