by Leaona Luxx
“What the fuck, Sarah?” I jump up, looking around for Ava.
Catching me off guard, Sarah pushes me against the wall. I put my hands up to fend her off. “What’s going on?” Her eyes narrow as she glares at my hands.
“Not this.” Walker chuckles, fucker. “I’m with someone, so this ain’t happening.” I push past her. “Thanks, brother.”
“She took off toward the restrooms.” Ford scowls at Walker.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t see Ava, I was watching your face.” Walker shrugs.
“I’m gonna go find her, she had a front-row seat to the whole damn thing.” I grimace as I replay the entire thing back.
“I’ll keep an eye out in case she comes back this way,” Ford offers. I nod and take off toward the restrooms.
I scan the club for Ava as I make my way through the crowd. I don’t see her anywhere, and I’m getting worried. I head around the corner and see a familiar face leaving the area I’m working to get to. Dax backs outta the hall where the facilities are located.
He glances at me, then turns to focus on me. “What’s up, Riley.”
“Not much, I came to walk Ava back.” I search over the dance floor from our vantage point.
“Oh, did you?” He folds his arms, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Yeah. Have you seen her?” I tilt my head to gauge him. Something’s up.
“Well, since you’re a glutton…” he snickers as he turns and points down the hall. “...she just slipped into that room with some guy. Guess that pussy isn’t yours after all.” I grind my teeth as my nostrils flare. I hear Walker, but it’s like everything is slow motion.
When my fist connects with Dax’s nose, I have a sensation of warmth spread across my knuckles. Dax goes down before I can swing again, but I’m still wrapped in a bear hug. “Riley!” Walker yells.
I jerk free from Walker, bending over in Dax’s face. “One more time, asshole, and I won’t stop.”
I round on Walker, and he steps back. I dart down the hall, headed to the restrooms, but a break in the music affords me a moment in time. I’ll never have enough luck for it to happen twice. Instead of the restrooms on the right, I hear something on my left.
It’s a storage room or something. I try the handle, locked. Walker and Ford stand to each side as I lay my ear on the door, it’s Ava. Her voice pleading and then, a muffled screech. I step back and raise my foot, kicking the door in.
Steve has Ava pinned; her face is buried in a pile of dish towels, mascara running down her cheeks. I lunge at him, dragging the son of a bitch off her. I throw him against the wall, and his head smacks against it. Hitting him with a series of punches, he falls to the ground.
Walker and Ford pull me off him, and I rush to Ava. She covers her face, grimacing, as I pull her dress down. My body quakes as the blood in my veins boil. “Baby, come on.”
Steve yells as he stands, pointing to Ava. “She wanted it. She pulled me in here, begged for it.”
“Ava? Ava?” I run my hand down her arm, and she flinches. That tells me everything I need to know, but to my astonishment, Ava spins around glaring at Steve.
“Who do you think you are putting your hands on me!” She turns to me, her mouth bloodied. “I fought, I promise. I don’t want him, you believe me?”
What? “Ava, come with me. Come on, baby,” I coax her away from him. My priority is this woman. My woman. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She gapes at me, her eyes about to pop out of her head. “What? He tried to rape me, Riley?”
I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to take care of her first. “I know, baby. I have two choices, remove us from his presence and allow Ford and Walker to deal with him, or kill him with my bare hands.”
Her eyes dart from me to the guys behind me. Fear mixed with embarrassment, evident on her face. A group of men, including her boyfriend’s brother, has found her half naked with another man. Yet, she shocks me even more.
“You believe me?” Tears careening down her face. She trembles, tightening her grip on her crossed arms.
“Without a doubt. Come on, baby.”
Her eyes flicker between me and Steve, and I lurch for her when she rushes Steve, scratching his face and kneeing him in the balls. “You piece of fucking shit, you’ll never touch me again.”
I grab Ava’s arm, spinning her to me. “Okay, baby, let me get you out of here.” I sweep her up in my arms, and she buries her face in the hollow of my neck and shoulder. “Call the police,” I say as I pass by Ford.
A crowd gathers as I take her from the room, turning to kick the restroom door open. Sitting her down on the counter, I grab a handful of paper towels to wet them. Ava stops me, her hand on mine with bloodied knuckles.
“They’ll need pictures, I can’t clean up.” Her voice quivers with the shudder that courses her body.
“I’m sorry. You’re right.” I pull out my phone, dialing Walker. “Did you call an ambulance?”
Ava’s face goes pale. “My purse, phone.” I nod at her.
“Okay. Ava’s purse and phone are over there.” I pause, listening to Walker. “Good.” Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I take Ava’s chin in my hand, examining her. “Let me check out this beautiful face. Your lip is pretty swollen, you may end up with a black eye.”
She shudders from my contact, and my chest aches. “I’m sorry, Riley.” Her eyes downcast as her lip trembles.
“Ava, no.” Her head shoots up, frowning as worry etches her features. “You have nothing to apologize for, I do. I knew he would try something. I should’ve protected you.”
“It was my fault. I never reported him for the way he treated me and whe-when she touched you, I-I lost it. I thought you’d leave with her. And then, Steve grabbed me as I walked in the restroom, pulling me into the closet. I tried to fight him, I promise.” She grits her teeth in an attempt to hold in her whimpers.
“He hit me, and I kept fighting. I was so afraid you’d find us like that, and you would think I wanted him. I don’t, I swear. I love you. I love you, Riley.” She falls into pieces, shaking uncontrollably. I touch her, and she withdraws, clutching her arms around herself.
“I’m gonna hold you, baby.” Her shoulders slump as she drags a deep breath in and I pull her into my chest. “I’ve got you. I love you, Ava.”
I hold her until the paramedics get to her. She refuses to go with them without me, so I pick her up and carry her to the ambulance. She allows the EMT to assess her injuries, her hand gripping mine tightly; she won’t let go.
The ambulance to the ER is quick, and I text the guys once they have her situated in a room for an update.
Dr. Aldrich examines her thoroughly. After the trauma she just experienced they give her a fucking male doctor. I can’t tamper the rage that roils within me as I watch the mortified wince on her face. As if she hasn’t been through enough, the nurse explains, pictures must be taken to document her injuries. Shame and humiliation cloak her as she strips, it’s utterly soul-crushing. A woman gets violated and the only way to get justice is to disgrace her even further. What the fuck is wrong with this world? I can’t imagine what they would have to do if they were raped. I soon find out.
“Was there vaginal penetration? Anal? Oral?” Dr. Aldrich asks, keeping his eyes cast away from her naked body as he dictates his notes.
She shakes her head, her lip quivering as she replies, “No, he did not…” She recoils, clutching her stomach as her face turns pale. “He didn’t penetrate me. I’m sorry.” She glances at me shamefully.
“No, you have nothing to be sorry for.” I’m mortified for her as my face reddens, enraged for what she’s going through.
“Alright. We have everything. You can get dressed.” He stands, pausing. “The police are just outside. Can you talk to them?” the doctor asks.
“The sooner the better, I’m ready to go home,” she says as she trembles.
I help Ava from the table, holding as she steadies herself. Kneeling, I hold
her underwear, while she steps into them. “Ry…”
“I want to.” I help her as she steps into her dress, turning, so I can zip her up. I grab her shoes as she sits down, sliding them onto her feet just as we hear a knock at the door.
“Are you ready?” The doctor calls out to her.
“She is.” I take Ava’s hand as she uses the other to dry her eyes.
The doctor opens the door wide, allowing the police in. “Ms. Cook, Officer Webb.” He holds his hand out, and Ava glances at it defensively, so I take it. “You are?”
“Riley Pennington, her fiancé.” Ava squeezes my hand as I rub hers.
“Is it alright if your fiancé stays? Some women prefer to be alone,” he explains.
“Riley stays,” she answers in a clipped tone.
“Okay. Can you tell me what happened?” he asks as he takes out a notepad.
“I can do better than that.” Ava reaches for her purse, removing her phone. “I tried to dial Riley, but could only get the voice recorder to work.”
Officer Webb replays the entire recording, then Ava gives a statement corroborating the recording. “We also have video from the club. I apologize for having to put you through this.”
“Officer?” Ava hesitates. “I know my driver’s license says I’m Ava Cook, but… I’m Ava Pope.” I gape at her as the officer gives her his full attention.
“Why is that?” he questions her.
“I lost my parents’ when I was six, and my grandmother made me use her name when she took me in. There was no adoption, she didn’t want me to have my dad’s name.” Her eyes flicker from the floor to mine.
“Alright, that’s not a problem,” he says. “We’ll be in touch, Ms. Pope.
He walks out the door, and the nurse comes in to give Ava her discharge papers as she wheels her out. “If you have any problems, please come back immediately. Maybe take it easy for a few days to give your body time to heal from such a traumatizing ordeal,” she offers as she pushes Ava in the wheelchair into the elevator. “You may also want to look into a support group or someone to talk to.”
“Of course, thank you.” Ava tucks her chin into her chest and inhales a steadying breath as the elevator descends.
“Walker and Ford drove my truck over from the bar, and they’re waiting for us,” I whisper in her ear so only she can hear.
“Okay, I’ll sit in the back seat.” She frowns.
“I understand, we’ll sit back there.” I know she doesn’t want to be seen.
I clutch her hand in mine and squeeze, hoping she understands that I’ll move fucking mountains to ensure she’s never harmed again.
We exit the elevator to find Walker and Ford with all our family and friends. I cringe when Ava shivers, I hate this for her. “The upside, they’re here for you. They love you, and they’re concerned,” I assure her.
“What?” She frowns, shaking her head in disbelief. Ava stands from the wheelchair and I latch an arm around her waist, securing her tightly to my side. Damn, I never wanna let this woman go again.
“This is your family. We all love you. We cheer for you, encourage you. We’ll even fight for you.” I kiss her forehead when her brow furrows as she contemplates the meaning of it. “She’s okay. Battered and bruised but strong as hell,” I explain to our family and friends.
“Ava.” My mom eases over to her, and reaching out, she tenderly pulls her into a hug. Ava wavers, almost melting in her arms.
“Sister.” Torrie hugs her next, and she latches on as she begins to cry.
Walker nods toward the door, and Ford follows him out. They’ve worked with victims before, so they get it. My dad follows them. Brannon hangs back behind the crowding group of women, but I reach around them to shake his hand. “Thank you for checking on her.”
“Always. We’re family,” Brannon says. Ava doesn’t let Torrie go, but she stretches her hand out for Brannon. He takes it, holding it.
Ava releases Torrie long enough to wrap her arms around my waist, and I hold her tight. “I’m gonna get her home. How’s Andi?” Ava raises her head for the first time to make eye contact.
Brannon offers a small smile. “She’s good. Mom came over to stay with her. She knows nothing.”
“Good. I’m sure her mom will call her tomorrow.” Ava nods in agreement.
We take a step and she falters, her body exhausted and battered. I scoop her up, carrying her out. Brannon grabs the door for me as I set her in the backseat. “Take care of her,” Brannon says.
“Always. I almost made it.” I grit my teeth.
Ava leans forward. “He saved me, Brannon. He takes great care of me. Better than I’ve ever deserved.”
“No, Ava. He’s giving you exactly what you deserve, let him.” Brannon pats her hand before leaving.
I walk into my apartment with a gray cloud hovering over me. I brace the arm of the couch as I sit, the last twelve hours smothering the breath from my lungs. I pinch my eyes closed, scared to release the tears that are pooling at my lids, but when I feel the cushion dip under Riley’s weight and he pulls me into his chest, I fall apart. A torrent of emotions flood out of me at his touch, the harrowing reality of the trauma I had experienced wrecking me. I may have a reputation. I may have slept around. But I’m still a fucking human being with a heart, a soul—I matter just as much as the next person.
“Come on, baby. Let me get you cleaned up.” Riley lifts me into his arms, carrying me to the bathroom. I don’t even respond. He knows I need to wash the vile scent of that fucker off my skin. Thank God Riley saved me before his essence was forever seared into me. He may have attempted to rape me, a scar I’ll always carry, but I’ll be damned if I’ll be broken.
Riley sets me on my feet and opens the shower, adjusting the water setting. The sound of the water pelting against the wall pushes me toward its cleansing, so I slowly begin to take my dress off. Riley reaches for me, and I flinch at his touch on instinct. The confusion that flashes in his eyes is quickly replaced with anger and pity. Cringing away from him is the last thing I want to do; I love him with every ounce of my being. I steady my heaving breaths and force my dress over my hips as Riley turns and undresses, keeping his eyes cast down from mine. He’s here with me. He loves me. He wants to carry me through the hurricane. I step toward the shower then reach for his hand, pulling him in with me.
The water rushes over me, washing away the trail of Steve’s hands but doing nothing for the memories that are forever seared into my mind. I blame myself. I should’ve done something, told someone.
“It was him. You did nothing wrong,” Riley whispers as he leans close to me. He moves my hair so the water will soak it. Lathering it, he massages my scalp, and I lean into his touch, trusting him to take care of me. His fingers slowly knead and massage, and immediately, I begin to relax.
“Talk to me, Riley. I need to hear your voice while you touch me. It keeps it away,” I plead, my lip quivering as I fight the tears to stay at bay.
“I’ll always be here. Just tell me what you need.” He rinses my hair, and I lean into him. “All done. Can I wash you off, baby?”
I nod as I mumble, “We can try.”
“Watch me, right here, baby.” He points to his eyes as he lathers a washcloth. Slowly, he brushes my arm. My jaw ticks, and I squeeze my eyes shut. “Here, baby,” Riley calls my attention. “Right here. You and me.” He takes my hand, placing it over his heart. “You’re here. Let me get rid of it.” I don’t take my eyes from his until he’s finished.
He steps from the shower, helping me after. Wrapping a towel around me, he grabs one for himself before he dries my body and hair before taking me to bed. He lay next to me, waiting, anticipating my next move. He’s cautious, letting me take each step at my own pace. I roll next to him and settle in his arms, his scent, his gentle caress—the love I feel emanating around me settles me.
As I doze off, a chill tingles over me and I shiver against his chest. Riley reaches for a blanket, covering me with
it. He lay back and tucks me into his side as he wraps his arms around me, encasing me in all that is Riley Pennington. He sighs and kisses the top of my head. I exhale and feel a contentment I wasn’t expecting, a love that will protect me against all. He’s too much.
“So, Ava Pope?” he asks.
“Yeah, sorry.” I grimace for not telling him sooner.
“Sounds like you’ve been Ava Cook longer than you were a Pope.” He tightens his hold on me to reassure me.
“I have been, I just think it’s time I accept who I am.”
“Maybe you could talk to someone about everything that happened tonight.” He treads lightly. “Lea went through something similar.”
“Yeah, that might be a good idea.” I close my eyes, hoping to erase the thought of Steve.
The room grows silent as we drift off, me safe in Riley’s arms. Today has been horrific, but Riley has been there as my rock to lean on. I can’t imagine making it without him. He’s done more for me than anyone in my life. We still have so much to learn about each other. So much I need to tell him.
The next few days are hectic, but I push through the fog and carry on. By Friday, I’m ready to go home to Riley and hide for the weekend. I open the door to find my heart ready to explode. “Momma!” Andi exclaims as she runs into my arms.
“What’s going on?” I search for Riley as Andi hangs around my waist.
“Ry asked Daddy if I could stay again. He said he hoped I could make you smile.” She beams at me. “Did I?”
I smile wide at her. “You did.” I glance up and spot Riley at the sink. “You do, too.” He offers me a shy smile as he walks toward us. “I’m sorry I haven’t shown you this week.”
“Don’t you even dare say that.” He kisses me gently. “I know. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Riley hauls us into a huge bear hug.
Food for my weary soul.
The weekend flies by, Andi stays until Sunday. Riley has the entire weekend planned. We watch every Monster High movie he could find while eating popcorn. Saturday, he takes us to play miniature golf, followed by a few hours at the beach.