by Abel, Maegan
I glanced over at her again. She was still staring at me with wide eyes as we turned onto my street. I pulled into the driveway and cut the engine, but I didn’t get out of the car.
“Zane is married now. He and his wife have a little boy. They live over in the Spring Valley area. Paige was accepted into a great college. I help her where I can, but she’s mostly living on scholarships and student loans right now. She’s smart, though. She’s got a bright future ahead of her.” I paused again, waiting for her to say something. When she didn’t, I gestured to the house. “Now, I have this house I bought and it’s only me here.”
I opened my door and climbed out of the car, listening until I heard the passenger door close behind her. I looked over my shoulder as I led her to the front door and unlocked it, gesturing for her to enter. She seemed nervous but she moved inside anyway. She was brave; I’d give her that. And strong.
“This way,” I motioned, giving her a quick tour. “Living room and on the other side is my bedroom. Down this hall are the other two bedrooms and the bathroom. At the other end of the hallway is the kitchen and dining room.” I walked to Paige’s room, knowing she left a box of clothes that were supposed to go to Goodwill in her closet. “You can use this room. It was Paige’s.” I pulled the box out. “And she left these. They’re too small for her so they should work for now. The bathroom is just across the hall if you want to shower and there’s food in the kitchen. Make yourself at home…” I trailed off, hoping she would at least tell me her name so I knew what to call her.
She bit her lip, her wide eyes taking in the room before she looked at me. “Lee,” she whispered the word and I nodded.
“Lee. If you need anything, just yell. I’ll be in the living room.” I moved to give her some privacy. Maybe this was a mistake. This girl could rob me blind or kill me in my sleep, but there was something in her eyes that told me she just needed help. I couldn’t help but feel protective of her. She was so young and obviously in trouble.
“Tish?” I barely heard her, but I stopped and leaned back to look in the bedroom. She was sitting on the foot of the bed, looking at her hands. After a second, she glanced up, meeting my eyes. There were tears on her cheeks that nearly broke my heart. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, Lee,” I smiled and nodded before heading to the living room.
TISH
The first few days Lee was at the house, she barely came out of the bedroom. Finally, by the end of the first week, she seemed to be feeling a bit more comfortable.
When I came home from work the day before, she was sitting on the couch watching TV. As soon as she saw me enter, she jumped up and started to head back to her room. I made a comment about the movie she was watching and after only a few minutes, I’d convinced her to stay in the living room with me to finish it. She still wasn’t talking much, but it was a start.
Not having to be into the shop until later in the afternoon, I was throwing a load of laundry into the washer. I had just shut the lid and pressed the button to start the cycle when I heard her soft footsteps in the kitchen. I came out of the utility room, expecting to find her making a drink or something, but she was standing in the middle of the room, biting her lip and looking more nervous that I’d ever seen her. She was quiet but always very self-contained.
“Hey, Lee,” I said, trying to pretend I couldn’t see how unsettled she was. “Want some lunch?”
She shook her head but didn’t speak. After another moment of silence, I walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a soda. I held it out, offering it to her, but she shook her head again. I shrugged, moved over to the kitchen table, and sat down, giving her a chance to gather her courage for whatever she needed to say.
“I…” she started, but trailed off. She took a breath and stepped closer, taking a seat across from me at the table. “I have to go get some… stuff.”
I watched her, assessing her nervous behavior. Her hands were knitted together in her lap and her head was down, her eyes not meeting mine. I could barely see the bruises that had pushed me to help her a week ago. The slight yellowing on her cheek and collarbone were all that remained.
“Look, I’ll take you to get anything you need. But, you should know, I don’t allow drugs in the house. I’ve worked too hard at cleaning up life for my family.”
Her face scrunched but she didn’t look up. I wasn’t sure that was what she meant but her nervousness made me think it might be.
“It’s not…” She stood and took a few steps toward the hallway. “It’s not like that. I need to go pick up my stuff from where I was before.”
I blinked, shocked. The fact she may actually have belongings hadn’t occurred to me. I felt like an ass for not offering to take her there the day we met. “Oh. I’m sorry. Let me grab my keys and I’ll run you…”
She was shaking her head before I finished speaking. “No. I don’t… I didn’t tell you because I needed a ride. I told you because… well, in case I don’t… I just don’t want you to think I ran off. I really appreciate what you’ve done for me. I can’t remember the last time someone was this nice to me for no reason.”
The way she said the words made me realize that she wasn’t nervous because of where she had to go; instead, she was afraid I wouldn’t understand her appreciation. When she finally looked me in the eyes, I could see her determination and my decision was made.
“I’m coming with you. I told you before that I would help you in any way. We’ll go together.” I headed down the hall, shoving my feet into my shoes and scooping up the keys to the Camaro.
“You really don’t have to do this.” Lee’s voice was soft behind me as she tugged the dirty black hoodie over her head.
“Actually, I do. Let’s go,” I said, holding open the door. I gestured toward the car and she climbed slowly into the passenger seat.
As I drove, following her short bits of directions, I realized she didn’t know Vegas well. This knowledge made me wonder how long she had actually been here. I didn’t ask, though. She would talk when she was ready, I couldn’t force her. When we finally pulled up into an old industrial park, she had me pull over quite a ways from the building.
“You can wait here. You don’t have to come. I don’t know… well, I’m not sure what’ll happen. You don’t need to come,” Lee rambled the words across the hood of the car as she stared toward the building.
“I’m coming. We’ll do it together,” I repeated, gesturing for her to lead the way. There was no chance in hell I was letting her go in alone, especially when she was this tense. Whatever she needed to pick up must be important or I doubt she would bother coming back here.
She walked up to the side door of the building and glanced over at me. She took a deep breath and pounded the side of her small fist against the door three times. After a short pause, the door opened just a crack.
“Holy fuck, Lee. Bobby’s been looking all over for you,” a male voice said. The door opened further, revealing a short, skinny guy covered in tattoos. I recognized most of them as gang related symbols, but all were amateur and obviously done with a homemade gun.
“Is he here?” Lee asked, not stepping through the door.
“Yeah, orders are to bring you to him the second you show up. Come on.”
Lee glanced at me and stepped inside. I followed quickly, blocking the tattooed guy from trying to shut the door on me.
“No outsiders without Bobby’s approval,” he said, sizing me up as I stood in halfway in door.
“Bobby will just have to be a gracious host and take on an unexpected guest. I go where she goes.” I gave him a hard look, staring down since he was several inches shorter than me, and using my build for intimidation.
The boy looked between Lee and me for a moment. “He won’t be happy.”
“Don’t make it worse, Tails. Please?” Lee sounded tired.
Tails sized me up again and then shrugged. “His funeral if he tries something. I’m not taking responsibility for the newbie.”
<
br /> “You don’t have to,” Lee said, following Tails toward the back of the warehouse.
We moved past a large open area where I could see several cars parked inside. The windows were painted over with black, making it impossible to see through them and several groups of people loitered about. Tails stopped in front of a door and knocked three times with his fist in the same way Lee had outside.
“Come in,” a voice called from the other side. Tails opened the door and gestured for us to enter. I took stock of the people in the room. There were only two men. The one behind the desk, seated and clearly in charge, was probably a few years older than me. The other near the corner with his arms crossed over his massive chest was obviously the bodyguard.
I had spent my fair share of time around gangs when I was on the street. Being kicked out before I turned seventeen left me plenty of time to find trouble. And I did. I knew I needed to analyze the room, find exits, and keep a solid plan in mind. The only exit was behind us, which meant back through the crowd of people. Not a good escape plan.
“My little prodigy finally returns. I knew you’d be back,” the man I assumed was Bobby spoke, leaning on his forearms as he smiled. His eyes flicked briefly to me but he said nothing, clearly waiting for Lee to respond.
“I just came to get my things, Bobby. I’m out. I told you I wanted out,” she stated, her voice sounded stronger than I’d ever heard it.
I glanced sideways at her. Her posture was confident. This was the girl I had seen in the alley. The one I had chased away from my car. She wasn’t the real Lee but some version of her. A sort of skin she wore — a protective layer covering a girl who was a little bit broken inside.
“And I told you there were three ways out,” Bobby said with a grin.
Lee’s confidence slightly faltered as her eyes flicked to me quickly. She took two steps forward, putting herself directly in front of Bobby’s desk.
“I couldn’t get it. I tried but I almost got caught. And you know I don’t have the kind of money you could’ve gotten for that car.” Lee’s voice was soft but it carried, echoing back off the concrete walls surrounding us. It only took me a moment to piece it all together. My car. My Camaro was supposed to be her way out of here.
I took a step forward and put both my hands on Lee’s shoulders, ignoring the guard when he straightened.
“If you couldn’t get the car or the money, there’s still option three,” Bobby grinned again as he spoke. He leaned back in his chair, glancing down at his lap and then back up to her. I knew enough about getting out and how gang members treated girls to figure out exactly what his option three was.
“Your boy can wait outside,” Bobby said, gesturing in my direction with his chin. The bodyguard started toward me and I could feel the tension radiating off of Lee like a physical pulse.
I immediately released her with my right hand and dug into my pocket. Pulling out the keys to the Camaro, I held them up, making sure to keep my grip on Lee.
“You want the car, it’s yours. But she walks. She gets her belongings and walks away and it’s yours. Hell, I’ll even sign the title over to you,” I said without another thought.
The Camaro had been my father’s pride and joy. He’d won it in a card game the same year I was born, and treated it better than he did any of us. I drove that car into the ground just to spite him. It wasn’t as well taken care of as it had been before, but it was still a classic. I knew what it was worth.
Lee turned her head back, looking up at me in shock, as Bobby seemed to contemplate my offer.
“Blue Camaro, white stripes, 1969. The car she was supposed to steal. You don’t believe me, have your guys check it out. It’s parked around the side of the building.”
Bobby nodded to his bodyguard who headed out the door. He was quiet for a long moment, leaning on his elbows and resting his chin on his thumbs. Seemingly thinking, he steepled his fingers and covered his mouth.
“If it’s really the car, then the girl is free to go. We had a deal.” Bobby sounded sincere, if not a little sad. His bodyguard stepped into the room and moved to the desk, saying something softly in his ear before stepping back to the corner.
“It looks like we have a deal. Leave the keys and you two are free to go,” Bobby said, waving a hand toward the door.
“And her belongings?” I asked.
“Are hers to take. Jake will escort you both to get her stuff and to the door. You can hold onto the key until you’re there,” Bobby offered and I nodded my agreement.
“I can’t let you do this,” Lee hissed as she turned to face me. I dropped my hand from her shoulder.
“It’s done. Let’s get your stuff,” I said, nudging her toward the door where Jake waited.
We followed him to a small room in the opposite corner where three small mattresses were crammed. A girl lay passed out across one and another had a handful of girls’ underwear tossed over it. Lee walked to the third bed and reached under the mattress. She pulled out a backpack and began shoving items into it. Grabbing a taped up shoebox from a larger box that looked to be serving as an end table, she wedged it under her arm and tossed the backpack over her shoulder.
“That everything?” I asked, wanting to make sure she never had to come back.
Lee glanced around the room quickly. “That’s all.”
When we made it to the door, I handed the keys to the Camaro to Jake and followed Lee out into the hot desert sun. She paused, looking up at me with her wide, blue eyes. I could see all the questions swimming in their depths, but she didn’t voice any of them.
“Come on, let’s catch a cab. I hate this side of town.” I grinned and nudged her with my elbow before I started walking toward the street.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Every time I finish a book and stare at this blank page, the awe I feel at the fact that I’m doing this, that I’m getting to write books and people are actually reading them, becomes more and more overwhelming.
First, as always, thank you to my absolutely amazing family. The support from those both near and far is staggering. I love you all so much for believing in me and pushing me to follow my dreams. My aunt and uncle, you are my rocks and have always been there for me, always supporting and holding me up so I could reach higher. My mom and stepdad, this journey has only begun and we’re already having a blast planning for the signings I’ve been invited to attend in the next year. Even some for 2016 already! I know the only reason I’m getting to do this, to pursue this dream and go to these places, is because I have a solid support team. I couldn’t do it without you.
Next up, my betas. This was a bit of a trip. Last minute decision to write a holiday novella and giving myself only a matter of weeks for a deadline — whose idea was that anyway? Oh, right. Mine. Heather, you especially, stepped it up when I was writing two chapters a day at points. All of you, whether you had time to read for me this time around or not, are a major asset. The boost you girls gave me when I was struggling to meet this insane deadline was really what I needed. Amie, Kelly, and Nicole, for reading the first draft and all having the same reaction — falling in love with Tony — was hilarious! That man is going to break a lot of hearts!
Monica, you know you’re my person. I honestly couldn’t imagine this journey if I hadn’t met you. Your love of these characters is the only one that I think could rival my own. Even though you yelled at me when I admitted I was loving Lili and Tony together, and you were so convinced you’d never love him with her, you fell just as hard for him in just this tiny glimpse. I might have been freaking out about the deadline and not getting to do my routine cleaning up of the manuscript before I sent it to you, but you kept me calm. You always do. Thank you still isn’t a strong enough expression. One of these days, I’ll come up with something stronger!
The team at Forever Red Publishing, you guys are amazing! For the first time, I was able to tell my cover idea to someone and hand over the reigns and thrilled is not even the word for it! It’s beautiful
and exactly what I wanted. Watching this company grow, making friends I might not have ever met if it weren’t for FRP, it’s all been an incredible ride!
My girls. You know who you are. As always, being my place to vent and toss around various curses when I get myself in over my head. That chat is seriously hilarious at times and I love, love, LOVE the fact that I’ve become such great friends with such a wonderful group of women from all over the U.S. Katie, I finally get to squeeze you in Dallas! This week! I’m so excited to finally meet you!
Pentatonix, though most likely y’all will never see this, just know you saved my tail. I am not a huge fan of holiday music because I work in a department store and listen to it constantly from Thanksgiving to New Year’s every single year, usually the same few songs over and over, but I needed to get into the spirit early to write this book and your Christmas albums were on repeat. As always, the beautiful blending of voices and absolutely unique and exciting new arrangements gave me chills. Doesn’t matter if I’ve listened to the song twice or a thousand times, there’s nothing in the world like it.
The bloggers, as always, who have signed on for this tour. I haven’t looked at the list but I love you all for taking a chance on me. Some of you have been with me from the beginning of this journey and usually I say I won’t name because I don’t want to forget anyone but I need to take a moment to say something. I was struggling to keep pushing at points during this novella. I work two jobs and write late at night. I barely sleep, sometimes only logging three hours a night for days on end until it catches up with me. I’m not a full-time author. It takes me longer to write books because of this. I was crying, stressed, and completely overwhelmed one evening as I decided to google search my books to look for piracy links. Yes, my publisher usually handles this and I rarely find much, but it’s a habit and something I do when I’m procrastinating in actually writing the story. This time, for whatever reason, I happened upon a post that gave me the boost I needed to keep writing. I don’t always see when a blog posts about my books, in fact, even if they tag me in the post on Facebook, I can miss it with all the other tags. But this one really hit me at just the right time, right when I needed it. Raw Books did a Flashback Friday post during the Unforgivably Broken tour. Now, they’ve been with me since the very, very beginning when I did the first tour for Perfectly Broken. Their reviews made me smile. A few of them even put me on their ‘Best Books of 2014 So Far’ list in June and that still amazes me. But this, the fact that Mandy and Jess did a reread of Perfectly Broken to prepare for Unforgivably Broken, actually brought me to tears. It’s one thing to have bloggers read and love your books — it’s amazing — but to have them actually love it enough to read it again, to make sure it was fresh on their mind for the next tour, and to post about the experience the second time, was beyond anything else to me. So, ladies, thank you from the bottom of my heart.