Page 14 of Broken

“Fuck.”

Chapter Nine

KARA

“I told you it was nothing a little ice wouldn’t help,” I spouted to Matteo as we walked out of the ER.

After an x-ray, the doctor basically said to rest, ice it, compression, and to elevate it. I’d only twisted my ankle so it wasn’t sprained. And that foiled my plans on going to the shelter. I still had a few days before I started my new job so I should be good as new in no time. The doctor said it could be one to three weeks before I was completely fine.

“Do you want me to bring the clothes inside?” Matteo asked as we arrived to the condo.

“No. Just leave them in there for now. Hopefully, I’ll make it over this coming weekend… after I rest, of course.”

He could tell I was irritated with him for calling Damon.

“Do you know my and Damon’s situation right now?” I asked as I sat on the couch, lifting my leg to rest on the ottoman.

“No.”

“Well, I’m here because I want my own independence. I wanted to be away from Damon and on my own so I can finally find out who I am and who I want to be. So, I don’t belong to Damon. Things are different and have been since I was kidnapped. Jose fucked me up, Matteo. And killing my own flesh and blood, I don’t even feel remorseful. So, when you call Damon for something like this, it undermines what I’m trying to do.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. He’s my boss so I felt like he should know.”

“I know.” I tried to be understanding because Matteo was stuck between a rock and a hard place. His reaction revealed he was sorry.

“Damon and I are still seeing each other once or twice a week. We are dating. We are just trying to figure things out as time goes on. I don’t even know if I can be with Damon wholeheartedly after what happened. Things have to change, and I’m not sure Damon wants things to change. I can’t explain it.”

Matteo cut in. “You don’t have to. I get it. And I am sorry for telling him. I should have let you tell him yourself.”

I got up to grab some ice from the freezer and sat back down on the couch. “Yes, you should have. Now you’re stuck watching these Rocky movies with me.” I smiled, and it made Matteo smile as well. “Get your ass over here in this chair. At least it’s close to the chair by the door,” I told him.

He shifted his jeans and came over to sit.

I iced my ankle every fifteen to twenty minutes.

***

It was two days before I could no longer force myself to sit around. I was up, walking with a slight limp. Matteo and I were on our way to see the women. I felt this bond to them that only we understood. I hoped they were on the mend and doing well.

Inside the house, Jacinda rushed over to greet me. “It’s so nice to see you again, Miss Ricci.”

“Please call me, Kara.”

“Kara.”

I pointed outside. “I brought a ton of things for the ladies. I couldn’t sort anything so it’s all in bags.”

“I’m sure they will love the gesture.” Jacinda folded her hands in front of her.

While Matteo was retrieving the bags, a young girl came over and hugged my legs. “Oh. Hello, there.”

“Hi. You’re the one that saved us.”

“You’re sweet.”

As the young girl and I spoke, more women came in.

“Hi, everyone. I know I don’t know each of you personally, but I brought a ton of stuff for you guys to get you through. There are job interview clothes, job dress clothes, tee shirts, jeans, shoes, and sleepwear. Everything you need while you get back on your feet.”

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