by A. K. Layton
Joshua stood in front of her, towering over her small frame, with his shoulders squared and chest puffed out, intimidating her. There was nothing left for her to do except run. She pushed past him as fast as her bare feet would take her, but it only gave her a slight advantage over Joshua who was catching up quickly.
“Help! Help me!” Kiki cried as she ran down the apartment hallway, praying that someone would hear her.
Coming up to the end of the hall, she had to decide if she would risk catching the elevator or if the stairs would give her a better advantage. It was a choice she didn’t get to make. A heavy hand gripped a chunk of her hair, pulling back hard, stopping her in her tracks.
“You’re not going anywhere, bitch!”
Kiki closed her eyes as her uncontrollable sobs echoed in her ears. Whatever happened next, she wasn’t going to let it happen without a fight. But when her head slammed against the rock-solid floor as Joshua’s hands released her hair, she felt defeated. Curling up into a ball, covering her head, she could only protect herself from the damage that was sure to come now. Her mind went blank, almost hoping she’d black out before the assault began.
When soft hands petted her head she quickly slapped them away, turning to kick up at Joshua. But it was the muffle sounds of a woman’s voice that started to become clear as the ringing in her ears lessened.
“It’s me. Kiki. It’s Leena. I’m here.”
Kiki let Leena pull her into her lap. She buried her face in the crook of Leena’s neck, crying hard, sloppy tears, taking in heavy gasps.
“It’s okay, sweetie. You’re okay,” Leena cooed.
No, she wasn’t okay. She’d never be okay, and it was her fault. She’d led a dangerous man on. People had warned her that it was clear he wanted to be more than friends with her, but she didn’t listen. She’d let him in her home, and she hadn’t called the cops. You did this to yourself.
Chapter 23
Wade raced down the block, his heart dropping when he saw the flashing lights of the ambulance and cop cars outside Kiki’s apartment building. He was grateful Leena had called him as she was on her way to Kiki’s. At that time, she didn’t have many details. She merely said that a very angry Joshua had showed up at Kiki’s apartment and that she was no longer responding to text or phone calls. Wade was confused by why Joshua would be angry. He’d heard that Joshua had an altercation at the gym, breaking glass and yelling at Rex, but what did that have to do with Kiki? He was about to find out.
They weren’t a couple anymore, but that was something he had been working on changing, ever since the wedding when she’d given him a sliver of hope. Even if that never happened, if they were never together like that, he’d still care about her. He’d take being friends over being nothing at all.
Stopping at the front of the building, he spun around, trying to find Kiki, or at least Leena, through the sea of cops. It was a moment before Gav caught his eye, he was posted up against a cop car, cuffed hands behind his back.
“Gav, what the hell is going on?” Wade asked as he jogged over.
“Hey.” A police officer jumped in front of him. “You need to stay back, sir.”
“What?” Wade shook his head in disbelief as his eyes met Gav’s. “What the fuck is going on, Gav?”
“Sir, you can’t speak to him while we have him in custody.” The officer squared his shoulders with authority. “Just like I told the woman, you can come down and bail him out in the next couple of hours.”
“What woman?” The desperation in his question was so strong that even he could hear it.
The police officer nodded off to the left. Wade followed the direction to see a tall, raven-haired woman standing at the back of the ambulance talking to someone. Someone he greatly hoped was Kiki.
“Leena?” Wade called, and the woman whipped around.
She rushed Wade, leaping into his arms, in a very un-Leena-like fashion. The action had his stomach sinking; sympathy from this woman only happened in extreme circumstances. Wade looked behind her, noticing Kiki’s small frame wrapped in one of those foil blankets, her head hung low.
“How bad is it?” Wade asked solemnly as they pulled out of the embrace.
He needed to know before seeing Kiki. It was clear that she wasn’t in a place to talk about it. He couldn’t bring himself to make her relive it.
“Physically…” Leena let out a loud exhale. “It could be worse. Mentally, she is broken.”
“What the hell happened?”
“I’m not sure about the particulars, but Joshua came over and roughed her up. When we got here he had her by the hair dragging her down the hallway.” Leena wiped tears from her eyes before they had a chance to reach her cheeks.
Wade bit down hard. The rage that filled his body was enough to claim temporary insanity for killing that son of a bitch.
“What’s the deal with Gav?”
“We got here before the cops. And Gav got to Joshua. Hard.” Leena smirked. “Joshua left in the first ambulance. His face isn’t going to look the same. Good thing, because once Vi gets done with him he’s going to need a new identity. He won’t be able to do anything in this city without her knowing about it.”
Gav was a beast of a man, and in his hey-day he was the top of his MMA division. There were some things that never went away, and how to put a beating on a man was one of those. Satisfaction came over Wade knowing that Joshua hadn’t gotten away unscathed. And he knew for sure that his sister would handle business; Leena was right about that. Vi had connections that she’d never admit to having, and he was grateful for that.
“Thank you for calling me.”
“I just… I didn’t…” Leena shook her head. “I don’t know where things are with you two, but I know that she needs all the support she can get.”
Wade nodded as Leena led him over to where Kiki sat.
“Sweetie,” Leena said with a soft voice. “Wade’s here. He wanted to check on you and make sure you’re okay.”
He watched quietly as Kiki’s body moved with a deep inhale, exhaling as she looked up at him. At him, but not making eye contact. He’d never seen someone look so small and broken. That coming from a man who’d seen hundreds of brutal MMA fights. He clenched his jaw at the warm sensation of tears pooling in his eyes, willing them back. He wasn’t a cage fighter, but he had fought through a lot in his life, and right now he was going to be the strength that Kiki needed. He knew how to do that.
Wade kneeled in front of Kiki, looking up at her battered face. One cheek had been hit hard, the skin split, with a brown-purple center covering the high part of the bone. And more little purple bruises outlined the side of her face. Wade reached his hand up, gently caressing the less battered side of her face as tears fell. There were no words. He wanted to apologize for the pain she was experiencing, but what good would an apology do now? He’d experienced that when his parents died, and what did it accomplish? It was more for their sake. Telling them thank you and that you were just fine, reassuring them, because they don’t know how to feel.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“No.” Kiki cleared her throat. “They think I have a mild concussion. I’m staying at Leena’s tonight, and she’s gonna keep an eye on me. I just need to follow up with my doctor tomorrow.”
“You’re coming home with me. Leena needs to handle Gav. I can take care of you.” Wade said the words in a flat, calm tone.
“No, really, it’s okay,” Kiki said with a shake of her head.
“Yeah, Gav will be fine. I’ll just send his–”
“No,” Wade said firmly, trying not to raise his voice. “I should have been here tonight. I should have protected you. You’re mine, Kiki, and I’m going to take care of you just like any good man should.”
“Wade,” Kiki said on a sigh.
He took her hand in his. “I’m not going to force you into anything. You’ve gone through enough shit for one night, and you sure as hell don’t need another man bossing
you around...ever. But please let me do this. I care about you, and I want to make sure you’re okay. I need to see it with my own eyes.”
She wet her lips before pulling the bottom one between her teeth. Her only response was a nod, and that was good enough for him.
“All right, sweetie,” Leena said from behind Wade. He had almost forgotten that she was there. “I’m gonna go bail that Neanderthal out of jail. That’s going to be a fun story to tell our kids.” She pressed a kiss to the top of Kiki’s head. “Call me if you need anything. Any time, and I mean that! You too.” Leena turned to Wade, giving him a stern look. “Call me for anything. And you can sure as hell expect my call tomorrow, and if I don’t get an answer on the first ring, I’m bringing Gav over!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Wade smiled at Leena.
* * * *
“She isn’t going anywhere with you, boy,” the harsh voice said as it came around the ambulance.
Kiki’s head whipped up, only to see her father, arms crossed, with anger splayed across his face.
“とうちゃん,” Kiki said, standing up quickly. A little too fast, as a throbbing hit her temples, and she swiftly sat back down on the edge of the ambulance. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a whisper.
She shot a questioning look at Wade, wondering if he had called her parents. Tonight had been an awful night, which was putting it mildly, and she would most certainly talk to her mom about it, but right now the last thing she needed was the judgment of her father. Wade lifted his shoulders and shook his head, indicating he hadn’t called them. It was far-fetched of her to think that he would. The two men didn’t seem to hit it off at the dinner they had together. As uncomfortable as it had been, it was sweet of Wade to stick up for her.
“I’m the emergency contact on your lease, the superintendent called me.” He shook his head, narrowing his eyes at her. “I knew this was a horrible idea. Just another bad idea that I let your mother talk me into. Well, little girl, this is over. You’re moving back home.”
“Dad.” Kiki’s voice cracked. She had too many emotions running through her, and her father’s demands were something she was too tired to argue against.
“You’re coming home with me. And if you think we’re ever letting you go back to that gym with those thugs, you’re out of your damn mind!”
It had only been a year ago that she’d convinced her parents that she was ready to move out. And convincing was a light term—it took an act of God, and Mother, to finally get it done. The condition was that she move into an apartment they approved of, had dinner with them every week, and she had to answer every call. Still parenting her from afar. The decision that college wasn’t for her had devastated them, but she had to stay true to herself; an act that they took as defiance.
Kiki let out a heavy sigh as she stood, taking off the blanket and placing it where she’d been sitting. She could feel Wade’s eyes burning into her, but she couldn’t look at him. Her heart hurt, and her mind didn’t know what to do. Wade’s offer had been sweet, and soft, letting her stay in control as he always did. But now her father was swooping in, controlling and demanding. She’d been terrorized tonight, and it seemed it wasn’t going to end.
“Excuse me, sir,” Wade interjected, squaring his shoulders as he stared down her father. “Normally, I’d say ‘with all due respect’, but I wouldn’t mean it. Kiki’s a grown woman. She can make her own decisions.”
Kiki took a hard breath, admiring Wade coming to her defense. Her father just gawked at him, and Kiki tried to hold back the smile threatening to overtake her face. It wasn’t often she’d seen her father rendered silent.
“It’s horrible that she was attacked, but this wasn’t her fault. You’re not going to be able to protect her forever, but I imagine your anger right now is because you’re scared for your daughter. And you should be, but you telling her what to do, you’re not helping. Let her make her own decisions. Don’t take that away, just like that scumbag did tonight.”
“How dare you compare me to that man! I am her father, and I know what’s best, and it’s my job to make these kinds of decisions.”
“Maybe when she was little, but she’s a grown woman,” Wade said harshly.
“Wade.” He sighed. “I know you lost your father a couple of years ago, so I get that you don’t understand this. You need to stay out of this. Besides, you’re no longer anything to my daughter. You broke her heart, or do you not remember that? Because I do. Her mother and I were there for her then, and she promised to move back in at the next incident.”
Kiki’s heart ached at the attack her father unleashed on Wade. It was low to bring up his parents, and it embarrassed her that he’d revealed her own heartache. Kiki watched as Wade’s jaw clenched, and she knew he was holding back a swear word.
Wade shook his head before looking over at her. “Baby, I want you to do what you want to do. Whatever decision you make, I’m here for you. And I’ll still be here tomorrow and the next day.”
“Enough!” her father demanded.
Kiki bit down hard as anger boiled inside her. She’d let men tell her what to do and how to do it her whole life. She’d played by her father’s rules, tried to be everything to every man she’d dated, and relied on them for her happiness. Her father was right—it was enough.
Kiki swallowed the painful lump in her throat. “No, Daddy.” She took a moment to stand up.
“Listen, Kiki…” Her father’s expression dropped, and for a moment she felt bad for him. For what he’d gone through hearing about his only daughter being attacked.
There you go again, Kiki. It’s time to take care of you! You matter!
“I need both of you to listen.” She gave Wade a half-smile. As much as he’d let her run the show, he needed to hear this too. If he wanted to be the man in her life, he needed to know where she stood. She needed to set the record straight. “I don’t know how I feel right now. I don’t know much right now, in fact. But what I do know is that I’m done being bossed around, or bullied, by anyone. It’s time for me to start doing what I want, when I want, on my terms.” Kiki cleared the emotion from her throat. “Daddy, I know you’re trying to protect me, and I appreciate that, but you don’t get to decide how I live my life anymore, wrong or right.”
“Kiki Matsuda!” Her father gawked at her.
“No. That’s it, end of story. You love me for who I am or you can just stay out of it.”
Kiki let the tears stream down her face. She was all emotion, but she couldn’t afford to be ashamed of who she was. She might feel stupid, small, and naïve, but she didn’t have the energy to put up with being bossed around anymore. If she could control one thing, this was going to be it.
“And as for what Wade and I are, we are friends. He’s probably one of the best friends I’ve ever had.” Kiki held back a sob. Revealing the true depths of her feelings to her father was a conversation typically avoided, but he needed to hear this. “And right now, I need my friends.”
She walked over to Wade, slipping her arm around his back, tucking herself into his side as his warm arm circled her shoulder, holding her gently.
“I’m going with Wade. Please tell Mama I’ll call her tomorrow.” Kiki’s words were strong as she shrugged off her father’s indignant reaction to her declaration.
Chapter 24
It took an hour and a half before Wade could get Kiki back to his place. The police said because of her current emotional condition she could wait until tomorrow to make a statement. They had enough to book Joshua, and had the gist from Leena. Wade loathed the silent car ride back to his apartment, but the idea of idle chatter seemed disrespectful.
Unlocking the door, he led Kiki into his apartment, flipping on the lights. It was dark out, now being after 11 PM. He was astutely aware of Kiki’s eyes on him as he closed and locked the door behind them.
Walking into the kitchen, Wade placed his wallet and keys on the counter. “Are you hungry?” he asked.
“
No.”
“Thirsty?”
“No, thank you.” Kiki gave a half-smile. The first he had seen all night. “I’m just tired.”
Wade nodded. He wanted to swoop in and cradle Kiki in his arms, hold her tight and let her cry, but he wanted to show her that she was in control. He couldn’t smother her, and being in her presence was enough. And he hoped it was enough for her too, hoped that it was making her feel safe.
“Come on.” Wade nodded to the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
For a moment he considered letting her sleep in the guest room, but he’d promised to keep an eye on her, and with her so far away he’d lose his mind. Selfishly, he took her to his room.
No words were spoken as they entered his room. He waited for her protest, and when she didn’t, he walked over to her side of the bed, lifting the covers so she could slip in; fully clothed.
Wade followed suit, climbing into bed fully clothed, facing her but not touching. He reached his hand out to brush back a strand of hair that fell over her face, but retracted his hand, thinking it unwise.
“No,” Kiki’s hoarse voice said. She grabbed his hand, resting it gently on the side of her face. She winced as it grazed the ever-darkening bruise. He tried to pull his hand back, but she just held it tight.
Kiki scooted closer to him, putting herself into the nook of his arm as he rolled back to make room. Wade gently wrapped an arm around her, as his other hand found hers, interlocking their fingers. Silently consoling her.
“I don’t even know how to feel right now. I’m numb, but hurting.” Kiki’s words were soft as she spoke.
“You are hurt.”
“This is something else. This is a deep, soul-crushing pain. I feel like my whole world has been turned upside down, and I was powerless to stop it. You know?”
“Unfortunately, I do. Losing one parent changes a person, but losing both, that destroyed me in ways that I’ve never talked to anyone about.” Saying those words out loud he felt a weight lifted off his chest. Just that little insight was something he didn’t want to admit to himself. Someone who could relate to his pain and betrayal made him feel safe in an unusual way.