by Hamel, B. B.
“Sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry. I hope it doesn’t hurt too much.”
“Help!” I scream. “Oh, god, help me! Help me!”
He walks into the woods. He stomps along, moving slowly. I kick and thrash, making it as hard as possible for him. I scream and scream until he growls at me.
“Shut the fuck up,” he says. “This is for your own good. I need this fucking money, you stupid bitch. Just go home. These people don’t care about you. Stop fucking kicking me, you bitch.”
He punches my thigh and I moan as blinding pain washes over me. He hit my bad leg, hit it bad enough to make everything go white for a second.
He keeps stomping then. He moves forward, crashing through the undergrowth, moving away from the house. I can see it receding slowly, disappearing as we start to move down a slight incline. I can just barely see it through the pain. I can just see…
Movement. Someone moving. I’m swinging around too much and I scream, but it only makes him hit me again. Not as hard this time, but enough to shut me up, quiet me into uncontrollable sobs of pain and misery. “Sorry,” he says again. “I’m sorry. I need it.”
He keeps going. But I look up, straining to see. I hear it before I see it this time. Footsteps coming and coming fast, crashing through the leaves.
“Shit,” my abductor says, but it’s too late. He half kneels and tries to drop me, but I grab him. I dig my fingers into his face and rake them down, breaking skin. He screams and throws me off. I hit the ground hard, moaning in pain, just as the second person appears.
Brent slams into the man like a wrecking ball. He barrels the man over, slamming him to the ground. He rears back and punches the man in the face once, twice, three times. I hear bones break. I see blood on his fist. The man struggles and manages to throw Brent off. He tries to scramble to his feet but Brent kicks him in the gut. The man groans as Brent slams him back to the ground and kicks him one more time before turning to me.
I sit up on an elbow. Pain wracks my body but relief fights it off. Brent runs to my side and kneels. “Your leg?” he asks.
I nod once. “Hit me.”
He growls and stands. The man is struggling away. Brent walks to him. “Why?” he asks.
“I’m sorry,” he sobs. “I’m sorry. The money. I needed the money.”
Brent kicks him hard. He does it again, again, until the man stops.
“Brent,” I warn as he’s about to do it again. “Don’t. You’ll kill him.”
For a second, I think that’s exactly what he intended. But he stops himself and stands there for a long moment, staring down at the body at his feet.
“I know this man,” he says. “You know me too, don’t you, Hamish?”
“I’m sorry,” Hamish groans, breathless with pain.
Brent shakes his head and looks at me. “Our fucking groundskeeper. Or at least he’s one of them. He’s been working here for years.”
He groans as Brent roughly rolls him over. The man looks up, his face bloodied. He coughs and Brent shakes his head. He walks back to me and gently touches my bad leg, his fingers so soft.
“How bad?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s too bad. He hit… he hit me.”
Brent’s body tenses.
“Don’t,” I whisper.
“It wouldn’t be the first body we’ve disposed of here.”
I shake my head. “Don’t.”
He closes his eyes and nods. “Come on. I need to check you out. We’ll get a portable X-ray machine and make sure there’s no breakage.”
“I’m okay. It didn’t… he didn’t break me.”
“We’ll make sure.” He touches my cheek gently. It’s amazing how gentle he can be with me, but how intensely and destructively violent he can be with others.
“How did you know?” I ask.
“I was watching. I heard you scream and started running.”
“I knew it.” I smile a little. “I knew you couldn’t help yourself.”
“I know. Are you angry?”
“I’m happy.” I touch his face.
I’ve never seen someone fight for me like that before. But Brent did it without hesitation. He came barreling down from that house and saved me. And now I’m sure that he’ll save me from worse if he can, save me from much, much worse.
He’ll do much worse for me, if I ask him to.
The thought is almost scary. This man, this incredible man, this muscular and intense and terrifying and gorgeous man, he’ll do almost anything I ask him to do.
I don’t know what to do with that power. Or if I want to do anything with him, aside from letting him have me.
“Come on. Can you stand?”
I nod and let him help me up. Hamish the groundskeeper is lying in the dirt, breathing, groaning, but not moving.
“What about him?”
“I’ll send for him,” Brent says. “We know where he lives. There’s nowhere to go, Hamish.”
The man just groans.
Brent shakes his head and takes my weight. “Ready? Or should I carry you?”
“I think—” I take one step and instantly stop. He scoops me up off my feet before I can feel any more pain.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers. “Come on. Don’t look back.”
He picks up my cane then carries me back to the house. I press my face against his chest as we go.
Terrifying and beautiful. That’s Brent. This man.
14
Brent
A local doctor arrives an hour later with a portable X-ray machine. We take scans which show that Amber’s leg didn’t break again, which is good. There’s some minor bruising, but overall, it seems like she’ll be fine.
I can’t say the same for Hamish. Our security found him in the bushes, trying to crawl away. Apparently, I’d broken his nose and several of his ribs. I think I would’ve done worse if Amber hadn’t told me to stop.
But the anger won’t leave me. If I weren’t watching her, Hamish would’ve had her. I don’t know what the man would’ve done with her, if he would’ve hurt her more or just handed her over or what. But the idea of someone touching her…
It drives me fucking wild with rage. I wish I could go back to that moment and kill the man like I should have.
“What’s wrong?” Amber asks me after the doctor goes, leaving me alone with her.
I’m pacing the room. I feel like a caged animal.
“This is going to get worse,” I tell her.
She winces. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” I growl.
She looks away.
I let out a breath. “I don’t mean to be rough. I know you don’t mean anything by it. I know you don’t want to inconvenience me. But you have to understand, I don’t blame you for what happened. I blame myself.”
She looks up again. “What? Why?”
“Because I should’ve been there,” I say, my voice nearly a whisper. “I shouldn’t have let you go alone. At the very least, I should’ve had security watching you. I failed.”
She struggles to her feet. I walk over and stop her, putting her back down. “Brent. You didn’t do anything. What happened was my father’s fault.”
I help her back into the chair and kiss her gently. “I can agree with that.”
“Good. Then don’t blame yourself.”
I nod once but the doubts come back. I begin to pace again in front of the windows. “I need to speak with my family.”
“We can do that,” she says.
“All of them. Or at least everyone here. Things might get hectic and difficult. I need to make sure they’re on our side.”
“Do you think…. Do you think they might not be?”
I hesitate. I don’t want to lie to her and tell her everyone will drop what they’re doing to rush to her defense, but I know that’s not true. My parents might or might not. My aunt and uncle likely won’t. I have no clue what my cousins think.
Lora will be
on our side at least, but I’m not sure that’s enough.
“I don’t know,” I admit.
“Okay,” she says, taking a breath. “I don’t want to be a burden.” I go to speak but she talks louder. “I’ll do whatever you think is best, Brent, but please promise not to take it too far. Don’t hurt yourself.”
I give her a level stare. “I won’t promise that.”
She bites her lip but nods.
“I’m going to call them together,” I say. “Just… prepare yourself. It might not be pretty. Dinner wasn’t fun, but this will be worse.”
“Just get us through it,” she says.
“I will.” I walk over and kiss her. “Stay here. Do not move. I’ll be back soon.”
I leave her there to go gather everyone together. I don’t know if this is the right thing to do or not, but I know it has to be done. Sooner or later, things will spill out and get out of control. I need to get in front of that.
What they think is going to matter. If we can’t stay here, I need to start making other plans. But if they let us stay, we can at least prepare everyone. Because like it or not, they’re in on this just because they’re staying in this place. Hamish is not going to be the last person to attempt to take Amber against her will.
She’s just worth too much.
At least my family has enough money and a million dollars won’t tempt them. At least, won’t tempt them very much.
We’re stuck here, and I need to make the best of it.
For better or for worse.
* * *
The family gathers in the great room. Mom and Dad lounge in the far corner on large chairs, both of them with martinis in their hands. Lora sits on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed, a little smile on her lips. Aunt Louise and Uncle Ron linger over near the door together, huddled up like they are discussing something interesting. My two cousins, Collin and Hannah, sit on the couch and kick their feet up on the coffee table. My mom shoots them a dirty look.
“Thanks for coming,” I say then look over at Archie. “Is there anyone else?”
He shakes his head. “Not presently.”
“I thought there’d be more.”
“We had more, but they all ran off when you get here,” Collin says. He’s a broad boy with red cheeks and red hair. He grins stupidly at me. Hannah nudges him hard with her elbow and he groans and glares at her. She’s petite, almost too thin, with sharp features and dark brown hair.
“Everyone’s here, dear,” Mother says. “Get on with it.”
Amber shifts uncomfortably beside me. I smile and put a hand on her knee then stand up. “Well, thank you all for coming. I’m sure you were all busy.”
Lora snorts and laughs a little, heedless of the reaction around her.
“I was busy, just so you know,” Aunt Louise says.
“I’m sorry about that, but thanks for coming.” I clear my throat. “I’m sure you’re all aware of the situation with Amber.”
“You mean the Facebook ads?” Collin asks.
“Those,” I say.
“They’re garish,” Hannah says. “I mean, really. Posting that in public? For anyone to see? Just garish.”
Aunt Louise nods in agreement with her daughter. “And they used our name, you know.”
“I know,” I say.
“We don’t like that,” Uncle Ronald says. He’s breathing heavy and glaring at me.
“I know that, too. There’s a reason I called you here. I want to discuss the claims that man made.”
“They’re serious, you know,” Hannah says. “And they aren’t flattering.”
“Did you really run from your practice for that girl?” Aunt Louise asks as if Amber weren’t sitting in the same room. “I mean, really, Brent. Didn’t you stop to think about how this would affect the family?”
“Honestly, not at all,” I say.
Lora laughs again. I glare at her and she just shrugs. “Sorry. It’s funny.”
“It’s not funny, dear,” Aunt Louise says.
Lora ignores her.
“Look, you all need to understand that what Amber’s father said in that ad isn’t true.”
“So you two didn’t run away?” Hannah asks. “You didn’t take her away?”
“No,” I say. “Not exactly.”
“That leaves some doubt, Brent.” Hannah narrows her eyes. “Why don’t you tell us?”
“I’m trying to.” I take a breath and slowly let it out. “Amber’s father isn’t a kind man, to put it mildly. She was in a bad situation back in Texas. I can’t go into details because she asked me not to, but please trust me when I say, it was bad.”
“Trust you?” Uncle Ron snorts. “I don’t think so, boy. I think you’ll tell us why this girl is here and why that garish man is making those ads online. Using our name like that. It’s horrible.”
I glance at my parents. My dad is frowning and nodding, but my mother is looking at Amber intently. I can’t read her expression, so I move on.
“You’re going to have to, Uncle Ron. That man is garish, you’re right. He’s also abusive, manipulative, and rich. He has the resources to reach out here. He got his fingers into Hamish.”
“Is that why poor Hamish is all beat up?” Aunt Louise says.
“I saw him come in with a broken nose. Security’s got him.” Collin looks at his mother, excitement in his eye.
“I did that to Hamish,” I say. “Because Hamish tried to take Amber.”
The room stills. Collin’s mouth hangs open, shocked. Uncle Ron starts saying something then stops himself.
“He grabbed her while she was out walking,” I say, my voice barely controlled. “Mother and Father know more about it. But safe to say, I did what I had to do, and I’d do it again if I had to.”
“You did that to Hamish?” Collin sounds almost impressed.
I level a stare at him. “Yes, cousin. And don’t forget that.”
He looks indignant. “What are you implying?”
“Yes, boy, what are you implying?” his father asks.
“Listen to me.” I hold up my hands. “Amber isn’t safe outside of this place. She’s barely safe here. One of our own employees tried to take her. Imagine what her life would be like out there, where anyone might recognize her and try to get that money.”
“It would be chaos,” Hannah says.
“It would be horrible,” Lora adds.
“That’s why I’m here asking that you all accept her. I understand that our name has been brought into this, but that wasn’t her doing. That was her father. Her awful, fucking piece of shit father.”
Aunt Louise winces at the curses like I was physically hitting her. “Please,” she says, putting a hand on her chest.
I glare at all of them. “This isn’t a game. Her life is at stake. If we send her back all because we don’t like the publicity… we’re complicit in whatever her father does to her.”
“That’s absurd,” Uncle Ron says. “That’s far too much blame. How could you possibly lay that all on us?”
“We have the chance to keep her safe. If we don’t take it, it’s just as bad as handing her over to her father.”
I look at the room before my eyes fall on my parents. My father’s frowning, his martini untouched. My mother sips her drink, her eyes narrowed in thought.
“Father,” I say, “you wouldn’t kick her out, would you? Send this girl packing when we could protect her?”
“Protect her?” Uncle Ron snorts. “We don’t know this girl. She’s nothing to us.”
“She was my patient.”
“And you broke all your ethical oaths to take her away,” Hannah points out.
I ignore my cousin and look at my father. “You wouldn’t turn someone away, would you?”
He opens his mouth then shuts it again. He shakes his head and looks at my mother.
The room goes still. I think even Amber understands the importance of this moment. My mother’s mouth turns into a thin line as she stares b
ack at me. I don’t speak and the room hangs on her reaction.
“I think,” she says slowly, “that maybe we ought to keep her here. For now.”
I let out a breath. Father nods his head, like that was what he was thinking the whole time.
“Absurd,” Uncle Ron mumbles, but not loudly. Nobody opens their mouths to disagree with my mother, though Hannah looks unhappy.
Lora grins at me and winks. I suspect she had something to do with this, but I don’t know what.
“Well, you heard your mother,” Father says. “She can stay for now. I don’t like those ads, but you’re right. If it’s as bad as you say, we can’t allow her to leave. Hamish is being dealt with, and not kindly, I might add. Though you did punish him enough, dear son.”
I smile at him. “Only what he deserved, dear father.”
“But she doesn’t stay forever,” Mother says. “If her father is as bad as you say, then we can go to the police. We have contacts all over the country we can use, if necessary. Her father will fight back, of course, but I suspect he won’t be much trouble once we get going.” She stands up suddenly. “I consider this matter over for now. Please stay out of trouble while you’re here.” She looks directly at Amber during that last bit.
Amber stands with some difficulty and nods. “I promise,” she says.
Mother nods back and leaves the room. Father stands up with a smile. “Well, that was fun. I’m retiring to the music room for some jazz and some drinks. Ron? Coming?”
“Yes, yes,” Uncle Ron grumbles. He follows his brother out of the room. Aunt Louise huffs and leaves as well, heading in the opposite direction.
Amber limps to my side. I put an arm around her shoulders. “You okay?”
“I’m okay,” she says.
“Well, I’m not.” Hannah stands. “It’s my name in this too, you know.”
I glare at her. “Enough from you.”
“Oh, yes, silence me. Very manly of you, Brent.”
I clench my jaw.
“Leave him be,” Collin says. “You should’ve seen Hamish’s face. It was pulverized.” He laughs loudly and jumps to his feet.
“Yes, well, I’m sure our big man over there can handle himself in a fight, no doubt, but it’s not his fighting I worry about. It’s everything else.”