As we finished getting ready, there was a knock at the door. I was brushing my teeth, so Knox answered it. When he came back a minute later, he was holding a bouquet of yellow roses, his eyes fuming as he read me the card.
Congrats on moving in with Mr. Taylor. Don’t get too comfortable. We’ll be together soon.
My fists clenched as he tossed the note in his safe—he was holding onto everything that was sent. He pulled me in his arms. “You two will never be together. He’s not going to take you away from me. Lucy, he’ll make a mistake soon. It’s only a matter of time. Are you okay to go to work?”
I stood back, nodding. “Yes, I can’t sit at home and stew about this. I need to be productive.”
He ran his knuckles down my cheek. “Okay, let’s get you to work.”
It seemed everybody had decided that was the day to stock up on their cosmetics. Kathy and I didn’t have one minute to breathe.
As I was ringing up yet another customer, I thought I saw a familiar figure out of the corner of my eye, but when I looked up, no one was there. When my customer left, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched.
I need a drink.
The familiar flower deliveryman came up to the counter, with his usual smile. “Afternoon, Lucy.”
I sighed with relief when I saw the flowers were lilies.
“Hi, how are you?”
“I’m good. You are one popular lady.”
“I have an amazing boyfriend.”
I signed the receipt and thanked him again. He told me he was sure he’d see me soon and chuckled. I was sniffing the flowers when a chill ran through me.
He’s here.
I spun around, expecting to see Drake, but of course, he wasn’t there. The store was crowded with people…maybe I just couldn’t see him? I shrieked when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Kathy looked at me with shock on her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Deep breaths, Lucy. Deep breaths.
“No, I’m sorry, Kathy. I’m just on edge. Did you need something?”
She smiled sympathetically at me. “I was just going to see if you were okay that I took my break, but why don’t you go instead. I’ll take mine when you get back.”
A break was exactly what I needed. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“No, not at all. Go on.”
I gave her a quick hug, then set the flowers down behind the register. Once a week Armstrong’s had a vision-impaired piano player come play for the crowd, and he was so talented. His piano playing always relaxed me, which was exactly what I needed right then, so I sat down on a chair close by and closed my eyes. The stress was obviously taking its toll on me; I had to get a grip. I let the music soak in, feeling my heart beat slow.
“Beautiful music,” I heard a man say. My eyes opened, and I flinched when I saw Justin above me. My nerves started freaking out again, especially after Knox’s warning about him.
“Uh, hi,” I squeaked. Not wanting him to suspect anything, I pretended to clear my throat. “Uh, yeah, he’s a beautiful piano player.”
He sat down on the sofa next to me. “He really is. I can’t believe I’ve never heard him before.” He sat back and crossed his legs, his head moving a tad to the music.
He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Maybe we’re all overreacting?
“How’ve you been, Lucy?” he asked.
“Uh, good. You?”
He chuckled. “Stressed, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Working late tonight?” he asked.
“Just until seven, why?”
He smiled. “No reason.”
Alarm bells rang in my head. Why did I just tell him what time I got off? I needed to text Knox.
I stood up. “It’s been nice seeing you, but I have to get back to work,” I told him as I started to walk away.
He stood up and gently held my arm. I tried to take it back, but his grip was tight. “It’s been nice seeing you too, Lucy. We need to get together soon.”
All I wanted to do was get away from him, so I just said whatever could get me out of this. “Yeah, for sure. You have Knox’s number, so give us a call sometime.” I pulled my arm, and he released his grip, allowing me to walk away.
When I got back to the counter, I told Kathy to go ahead and take her break, then pulled out my phone.
Just saw Justin. Bad feeling. Will you come inside when you pick me up tonight please?
Are you okay??
Yes, I’m fine. Just come in and get me when I’m off work.
Do you need me to come now?
No, it’s okay.
If you’re sure. I’ll come inside and pick you up. Text me if you need me.
I will
I put my phone away and helped the teen girls who approached the counter. When they asked me if I could give them makeovers, I was more than happy to oblige.
The afternoon went by quickly, and I was surprised to see there was only an hour before Knox would arrive. I bent down to rearrange something in a cabinet, and I swore I saw Drake through the glass window, but when I stood and whipped my head around, he wasn’t there. I rested my elbows on the counter and massaged my temples.
Relax, Lucy.
“Dude, she’s freaking out. Stop playing games with her,” Justin said into his phone as he stood in the cafe at the mall. “You need to be careful, you can’t be seen here.”
He listened to the person on the other end of the call, then rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to do this shit anymore, man. You’re losing it. No, I’m serious, ease up a bit or you really will be on your own, got it?”
AT 6:45, KATHY ASKED IF I would mind going into the back room to bring her out some more stock since she’d be alone the rest of the night. I was so glad my workday was almost over—the feeling of Drake being close had me exhausted.
The back room was empty, but it was later in the day, so I wasn’t surprised. I went to our corner of the room and grabbed what Kathy asked for, stuffing my pockets with packs of mascaras and eyeshadows. She wouldn’t need a ton for tonight, so I didn’t bother with a bag.
“Lucy Jane.”
I’d know that voice anywhere.
The makeup I held in my hands tumbled to the floor as I spun around, my hand clasping over my mouth. Drake was standing a few feet in front of me. His cold, gray eyes stared back at me, and the corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk. He took a few steps toward me.
“Not quite the reaction I was looking for, but it’ll do,” he said as I listened to the familiar stomp of his boots hitting the floor.
Bile and fear rose in my throat, and my body started to shake. The room was so big…no one would hear me scream. I got a whiff of his nauseating scent of coffee and sweat, and I tried not to gag.
“Drake, what are you doing here?” I asked weakly. My lower back bumped against a table, preventing me from moving any further. His blond hair was long, tucked behind his ears, and he had the beginning of a beard. It looked horrible on him.
“I’ve missed you, Lucy Jane,” he said in his deep piercing voice. He stopped a few feet in front of me, his hands in his jeans pockets. “I told you I’d always find you, you know that.”
I gulped, and felt my palms starting to sweat. “You’re violating my protective order. You’ll be thrown back in jail.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Well, that’s not going to happen. Do you want to know why?” He took step forward, hands still in his pockets. “Because you’re going to cancel the order.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not, Drake. You need to stay away from me.”
“No, Lucy Jane, I don’t.” He took another step forward, making me back into the table.
“Drake, if you leave now, I won’t report this,” I scrambled.
He laughed. “I’m not going to tell you again, Lucy. You’re going to cancel the protective order, and I’m taking you home where you belong. I’ve lost pati
ence with your little games.”
This couldn’t be happening.
“Listen closely, Lucy Jane. We’re going to walk out of here, you’re going to tell that asshole boyfriend of yours that you’re through, and then you’re coming home with me tonight. Understand?”
His eyes turned murderous as he took another step toward me, placing us almost nose to nose. “You don’t want to find out what will happen if you don’t come with me,” he hissed.
“Why are you doing this, Drake? Why are you risking jail time for this? I told you I’m done, and that we’re not together anymore. Please, just leave,” I begged, raising my voice.
CRACK!
My head whipped to the side from the blow to my cheek, making my eyes water. Fear like never before gutted me. His hands gripped the top of my arms, giving me a shake.
“Don’t you ever talk that way to me again,” he snarled, getting in my face. I winced at the pain his fingers were causing as they dug in my skin. “I don’t care who you’re dating, or what orders you have against me, you will not disrespect me, Lucy Jane. Is that clear?”
I felt hot wet tears pouring down my cheeks, and I nodded.
He put his calloused fingertip under my chin and forced me to look at him. “I’ll say it one more time. We’re going to walk out of here, you’re telling your asshole boyfriend you’re through, and you’re coming home with me tonight.”
My knee jerked up and kneed him in the balls, hard. He released my arms and keeled over, his hands covering his crotch. He was on his knees, groaning in pain, so I ran for the door, screaming for help. I almost made it when I felt his hand grasp my ankle, making me fall. He towered over me, murderous rage in his eyes, and smacked me hard across the same cheek again, making me cry out in pain.
“You stupid bitch!” he yelled as he punched me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. I tried to turn over to avoid the next blow, which only gave him access to punch me in the middle of my back. I moaned from the pain as tears streamed down my face.
“Please,” I begged.
“What the hell?” a male voice shouted. “Dude, have you lost your mind?” I recognized Justin’s voice, and my fear escalated.
“Get out of here, asshole,” Drake hissed. “This is between me and Lucy now.”
“Not when you’re beating the shit out of her, you idiot!” Justin exclaimed. “I told you to relax and trust me. Get off of her and let’s get out of here.”
Suddenly, I heard the door slam against the wall, and Knox’s voice calling my name. “Lucy! What the hell?”
I felt Drake being thrown off of me, and I could hear the sound of a fist hitting flesh. “You stupid son of a bitch!” Knox yelled as I heard another crack.
I tried to turn over to see what was going on, but the pain was too great. I stayed where I was, in the fetal position, rocking my body gently, my comfort method from Drake’s beatings coming back.
A loud crash sounded, then cracking. I could hear grumblings of threats and name-calling.
“Dude, you’re killing him!” Justin shouted.
More footsteps rushed in, and I heard another punch. I moved to cover my ears, but the pain was too great. I heard the sounds of flesh pounding flesh.
“Don’t let him go, Maxwell!” Knox shouted.
Maxwell?
“How does this feel, you cowering asshole? Does it make you feel tough to hit a woman?” Knox cried, a crunching sound following. “Listen to me, you sadistic asshole, you don’t ever get near her again, understand? You’ve just bought yourself a ticket to jail, and if I have anything to do with it, you’ll never see the light of day again. You are done hurting her, you are done harassing her, you are done with her!”
The sound of another blow filled the room, and then only what I could assume was Drake’s head hitting the floor. I tried to call out to Knox to stop, but my voice wouldn’t carry that far. I felt strong arms cradle me, making me cry out.
“Shh, angel, it’s me. I’ve got you,” Knox said tenderly as he brushed the hair out of my face. “Where are you hurt?”
“My ribs,” I croaked out. His eyes darkened dramatically. “That son of a bitch,” he swore.
“Knox, where is he? We need to get out of here,” I whispered, fear gripping me.
His face softened. “He’s out cold, I’m surprised I didn’t kill him.”
“Sir, I've called 9-1-1, and they should be here any minute,” Maxwell called out. “I’ve got a hold of him, he’s not going anywhere.”
Knox turned to look at them. “Thank you, Maxwell. You’re done, Mr. Fox.”
“Please, I didn’t want anyone to get hurt." I heard the fear in Justin’s voice. "I never meant for it to go this far, but Drake refused to listen to me.”
“Shut up, asshole,” Knox said in a low tone. “Your words mean nothing.” He turned back to me and ran his fingers through my hair as he promised that everything would be all right.
A few minutes later, the cops and paramedics arrived. Knox explained my injuries, then told the cops what he knew.
The paramedics asked me some questions, then gently lifted me onto a gurney. Knox rushed to my side when the paramedic told him they were ready to take me to the hospital. An officer introduced himself as Sergeant Morris and told me he would come to the hospital to question me as soon as I was ready.
“I’m not leaving your side,” he whispered against my skin.
The paramedics started to push me out the door, and Knox walked beside me holding my hand. They had set me up with a morphine drip, which was starting to help the pain. I could barely keep my eyes open as they lifted me into the ambulance.
“You’ll be okay angel, I promise,” Knox whispered as I felt the ambulance start to move and heard the siren blaring above.
I woke up in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown. Knox was sitting in a chair beside me, holding my hand. “You’re awake.” He smiled.
“What happened?” I asked, my mouth completely dry.
“Do you remember Drake?”
I nodded. “Water,” I squeaked out.
He stood to hand me a water bottle, helping me hold it as I gulped some sips down. Once I was done, he set it aside and sat back down, taking my hand in his.
“You lost consciousness in the ambulance. The doctors have determined you have four broken ribs and a swollen jaw. You’re wrapped tightly in bandages, and we’ll need to ice your jaw every few hours for a couple of days. Thank God I got there when I did, Lucy.”
I raised my hand to his cheek, and felt him move into it. “Thank you for saving me.”
Tears brimmed in his eyes as he leaned his forehead on mine. “When I saw him on top of you, ready to take another punch…” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry he hurt you, baby. I’m so sorry I didn’t get there sooner.” He closed his eyes in agony, making my heart hurt.
“Listen to me.” He opened his eyes and looked at me. “Don’t you ever apologize for that again. You made it in time, and I’ll be okay. I’ve had broken ribs before, I know the healing process.”
“It kills me that you’ve gone through this before Lucy. I wish I would have killed him when I had the chance.” He looked away, a nerve in his jaw twitching.
“What’s going to happen to him?” I asked quietly, my eyes looking at my hands on my stomach.
His jaw twitched again. “Well, the cops still need to talk to you, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to be seeing the inside of a jail cell for quite some time.”
I prayed he was right. The thought of Drake not being able to hurt me anymore was exhilarating—I would finally be free.
A knock sounded on the door, and Knox told them to come in. It was Sergeant Morris and a female officer. They both smiled at me as Sgt. Morris shook Knox’s hand.
“Lucy, I’m Sergeant Morris, and this is my partner, Sergeant Bell. Is it okay if we ask you those questions now?”
I nodded, and they proceeded to ask me everything that had happened from start to finish. They rep
eated some questions over and over, making sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. Knox held my hand the whole time, tensing as he heard the details of what Drake had done. I ran my thumb over his wrist in an attempt to calm him down.
Once they were finished, Sergeant Morris thanked me. I asked about Drake and his condition—I was worried Knox would be in trouble for beating him up.
“Mr. Taylor will not face prosecution. He was protecting you from an attack.”
I felt the relief rush through me. “You have nothing to worry about.” Knox chuckled. “We just need to concentrate on getting you better.”
Sergeant Morris spoke up then. “As far as Mr. Meyer’s condition, he’ll be fine. He has a mild concussion, and his face has some bumps and bruises that weren’t there before, but in my opinion, he got off lucky with you, Mr. Taylor. We took Mr. Fox to police headquarters where he confessed to helping Mr. Meyer out with his plan in getting Ms. Simmons back. Drake got impatient and ignored advice to stay away. We know the rest.”
Sergeant Bell added that Drake was in police custody and would be transferred to the jail once the doctors had cleared him to go. She told me he wouldn’t be able to get near me for a long time, making me smile.
When the door shut behind them, Knox leaned over and took my hand, lifting it up to graze his lips over it. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
I was suddenly exhausted. “So tired,” I replied, closing my eyes.
I felt him brush my hair away from my face, still holding my hand to his lips. “Get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
The next day, Priscilla paid me a visit where she offered me the buyer position and told me to take three weeks off to heal before I started. Her heavy mascara ran down her cheeks a bit as she cried softly, telling me she was on her way to my counter to offer me the position when she heard all of the commotion from my attack. She informed me my time off would be paid because Armstrong’s felt terrible about the incident happening in the storage room at their store and wanted to ease some of my burden somehow. It was strange that I was the one comforting her, telling her it was okay, when I was the one in the hospital bed. After she calmed down, I thanked her profusely for my promotion and told her I was excited to start. She stood up and told me to get some rest, and that they were eager to have me back when I was feeling better.
Discovering Lucy Page 17