And that was what scared me. It was little moments like that, small breaks, and hesitations spoken with uncertainty that scared me. Brian would find me again, and by that time, who knew what would happen.
“It’s okay, Logan. It’s just a bruise. I’ll be fine.”
“Fine?” He took a step back and pointed at my wrists then my face. “You are anything but fine. Maybe we should move again. If we move, we can go somewhere far, somewhere that he can’t find us. You’ll be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Logan,” I rushed to him and placed my hands on his biceps to snap him out of it. “No. I don’t want to run. He will get what is coming to him. Maria is going to send those pictures to Officer Cortez, and they will build a case against him. I don’t want to run. I want to live my life.” Even if living it meant always looking over my shoulder, always feeling anxiety, always having that slight edge of fear, then that’s what I would do.
“Maria doesn’t have Officer Cortez’s number. Send the pictures to me, and I’ll do it.”
“Um, I do have it, and they are already sent.”
Logan pivoted on his feet, giving Maria a hard glare. “Why would you have his number?”
Oh, boy. This would get out of hand really fast if I didn’t change the subject. “I’d like to go out tonight.”
That got Logan’s attention. “Absolutely not. Not with Brian out there.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Maria chirped, prancing over happily to me and not giving Logan the time of day. “I can invite Gabriel if it will make you feel safer.”
“Who the fuck is Gabriel? I can protect my sister and you just fine.” Logan crossed his arm in defense.
Maria rolled her big blue eyes and popped a bubble with the gum she had in her mouth. “Gabriel is Officer Cortez. I’m not saying you can’t protect us, Logan. I’m saying it would be nice to have a cop around just in case Brian shows up.”
“A cop you’re on first name basis with? No, thanks.”
“I didn’t think you’d care,” Maria’s eyes fastened on Logan, giving him a glare that would send any other man to the grave with how angry she looked.
“I don’t care,” I said. “I want to go out, and I want to forget this day, alright? Please. I want to live my life, and if you guys can’t get along, then I’m going to feel really alone. Logan, suck it up. She has other friends besides you and me.” Even though I knew he wasn’t bent out of shape because Maria made friends. It sounded like Maria was dating Officer Cortez. I didn’t know much about it. I had been a bad friend. I had been so wrapped up in my issues that I didn’t think about asking how Maria was doing. That would change tonight.
“Fine, but only if Godrick can come,” Logan counter-offered, and the sound of his name made my ass burn, a reminder of the spanking I received earlier that day. I blushed fiercely. I wanted to see Godrick again, but I also needed some time to myself.
“Can we go out first? I’d like to just worry about myself before other people. I want to feel normal.” I think that was what bothered me the most. Brian took away any sense of normality, and I wanted to claim it back.
Logan took my hand and placed his other hand on top of my knuckles. “Whatever you want, Lucy. Whatever you want.”
“You always cave for me,” I said with appreciation, staring at my brother as if he was my hero. In a way he was, he was always there. He was my best friend.
Maria grabbed my wrist, making me hiss in pain. She immediately gasped, covering her mouth with guilt. “I’m sorry, babe. I was going to take you to your room to do your makeup so we can cover up these bruises.” Maria’s eyes watered, and her lips trembled. “I can’t believe someone would do this to you.”
“Maria, I’m okay.” I’d never seen her so upset before. I pulled her into a hug and comforted her. “I’m fine, I promise.”
“You aren’t, but you will be,” she sniffled. “Come on. Let’s cover these up, and we will go out and paint this city red.”
I gave her a large grin and nodded. “That’s exactly what I need.”
“And then maybe after a few drinks, I can get you into my tattoo chair.”
Logan snorted, opening the door to the fridge and took out three beers. He cracked them all opened and handed them to us. “Good luck with that. She hates pain.” Logan’s eyes softened as they dropped the swollen bruise on my jaw. He quickly looked away and drank a few gulps of his beer.
The green bottle was cold against my fingertips, the sweating of the condensation dripped down my fingers, and I sighed in content when the first wave of beer slid down my throat. Yeah, this was exactly what I needed.
“We are going to show off those amazing legs too,” Maria said, giving my ass a soft slap, and I held back a groan. She didn’t know that my ass was overly sensitive right now. I struggled to give her a reassuring smile, but I managed.
She dragged me to the bedroom, and Logan shouted behind us, “Not too much leg! I can only fight off so many men at once.”
I snickered as Maria shut the door to my bedroom. I was still scared. My face hurt. My wrists were on fire, but sulking about it and crying about it would get me nowhere. I was going to have fun, drink, and forget for one night that I had a stalker.
It was only for one night. What could go wrong?
Chapter Eighteen
Lucy
We made our way from bar to bar, and I kept having to tug down the emerald green mini dress Maria let me borrow. The night was warm, and the sky was clear after today’s rain. The stars were out by the millions, and the lights on the buildings lit up the streets. New York City at night was absolutely beautiful. Maria hung on my arm, and Logan stayed directly behind us, only having a beer at each place we entered to keep a clear mind.
I thought he was being overprotective before, but after what happened with Brian today, I welcomed the safety.
“Hey, ladies!” a group of drunk guys hollered at Maria and I. None of them got my attention. Not of them had black hair and dark eyes that reminded me of a black hole in space, never-ending.
“Keep walking guys,” Logan waved them off as he directed me and Maria to the next bar. He opened the door for us, and we entered the crowded space. People were everywhere here. An old Elvis song played on the jukebox, and the bartender reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe. He had dark curly hair and a mustache. He wore a suit, looking pristine in an old fashion way, and poured the concoction he currently made in the shaker, giving it a good whisking. He poured it into a flared glass, and the foam reached the rim. He decorated it with an orange peel and then burned a stick of cinnamon and swirled it in the drink before tossing it away.
I wanted that drink. It looked delicious.
Three people got up from the bar just in time, and Maria sat down on the stool quicker than the man had time to place a tip on the counter. I was between the two of them, Maria and Logan. The Poe looking bartender came up to us, wiping down the bar in front of us with a clean rag. “What can I get you?” he asked over the loud music blaring.
“Can I have the drink you just made?”
“Flaming Orange? Anything for the pretty redhead,” he winked, and I grinned, appreciating the attention, but I didn’t want to do anything about it. No one compared to Godrick, not even Poe.
“I’ll take one too!” Maria said, never taking her eyes off her phone.
I leaned over to whisper in her ear since that was the only way she could hear me in this place. “Is that Officer Cortez? What’s going on with the two of you?”
She waved her hand in the air and peeked over at Logan, who sulked with his beer. “I don’t know. We went out once. He is nice.”
“Attractive too,” I mentioned, but Maria just gazed longingly at Logan.
“Yeah, he is that.”
“You know, Logan always needs a kick in the ass when it comes to dating. The way to do that is for you to date other people. Don’t wait around for my brother, or you’ll be waiting forever.”
“It’s why I
invited Gabriel out tonight, but he is on duty. He said he was going to swing by though,” her smile was large and bright. It was obvious she liked Gabriel, but Logan was interfering with that. I’d have to talk to him about Maria. The jealousy he showed while she talked about Gabriel was uncalled for since he didn’t plan on doing anything about it.
“Good for you,” I nudged her with my arm, and Poe placed a pink drink in front of me with a cut strawberry on the rim. I didn’t order that.
“From the man down at the end of the bar,” he said and leaned forward. “Can’t say I blame him. Your Flaming Orange is on me.”
Oh, gosh. I’d never had so much attention before. I glanced away and bit my lip. I wasn’t in a relationship, technically. I didn’t know what Godrick and I were, but I was allowed to have fun. I wouldn’t have sex with anyone since I knew who my heart belonged to. It didn’t mean I couldn’t accept drinks.
Right as I lifted the rose-colored drink to my lips, I glanced down the bar to see who sent it to me and saw Brian. The drink fell out of my hand, and the glass shattered on the bar. Luckily the pink drink didn’t ruin my outfit, but I felt bad for breaking the glass.
“Oh my god, are you okay?” Maria shrieked, standing from her stool.
Logan pulled me away from the bar and gave me a look over to make sure I didn’t hurt myself. The bartender came running toward us with his brows pinched together. He actually looked worried about his customer. “You okay, Doll?”
“I’m fine. Sorry, I just thought I saw someone I knew,” I glanced down the bar again, and Logan followed my gaze. Brian wasn’t there anymore. He had to have been there. Was he just in my head now? Did I make him up? Imagine him?
“Was he there? Who did you see, Lucy?”
“Logan, I swear it was him.”
“Stay with her! Do not move from this place. Keep an eye on them for me, will ya?” he asked Poe. I didn’t know his name, but Poe fit.
“You got it, man.” Poe cleaned up the broken glass by picking up a small trashcan behind the counter and pushing the glass with a rag over the edge. Quickly putting it into the trashcan. “You okay? You sure?” he asked me.
“I’m fine. I’m so sorry about that.”
Maria rubbed my back, and suddenly I got so angry, so livid. I didn’t want to be babied; I didn’t want to soothed. Everything was fucking fine. I was fine.
“Your drink is coming up. It’s still on me.”
“Thanks, Poe,” the name I gave him in my head slipped out, and he tossed his head back and laughed, the rich sound filled the bar. He even sounded classic.
“Not the first time I’ve heard that, but I like it more coming from you.” Poe winked at me while he shook up my drink.
I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and saw Logan out of the corner of my eye, making his way through the crowd. He shook his head. “He isn’t here. You sure you saw him?”
“I swear it was him, but maybe it wasn’t. What if I’m going crazy, Logan? I’m seeing things now?” I asked him, placing my head against his chest as he held me.
“If you say you saw him, I believe you. Do you want to go?” Right as he asked, Poe placed my drink in front of me. It smelled so good. Cinnamon and orange. I inhaled it before taking a sip of the foamy drink. The flavor was robust and compact in the small glass. It was delicious. I think I just found my favorite bar.
Poe made the place too. He gave the vibe of a gothic poet, all while holding his head high. Every move he made was smooth and graceful. The bar was named Raven. Everything started to click together. It was a bar based on Edgar Allen Poe, and the bartender must own it. Jeez, I was slow some days.
“No, I want to stay. I’m having fun.”
“Whatever you want,” Logan pulled out the stool again, and right as he sat down, Officer Cortez walked through the door. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
Maria gave Gabriel a happy smile and jumped on him, giving him a bear hug. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, and Logan tried to stand, but I pushed him back down. “Cool it. Let her be happy if you aren’t going to do anything about it.”
“Who said I wasn’t?” Logan watched the couple like a hawk.
“Then I guess you have some competition.” I leaned back and enjoyed my drink. The attention was off me now, and I was going to relish in it. Well, I was relishing in it until Godrick walked through the door. I snapped my head toward Logan and narrowed my eyes. “Are you kidding me? You told him?”
“Of course, I did.”
“I thought you were on my side.” So much for having a night to myself.
“I am on your side. Always, but Godrick deserves to know what happened to you. He wants to be there for you. Why won’t you let him?”
“Why don’t you take your own advice for Maria? Don’t bark at me about what I should do when you don’t do it!” I kept my voice low but ended each word with a bite.
“Who bought you this?” Godrick asked as he took the drink right out of my hand, leaving me gaping.
I snatched it out of his hand. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does. I buy my woman drinks, no one else.”
“Brian was here,” Logan said.
“Logan!”
“What? He deserves to know. He deserves to know that he slapped you today too. Right across the fucking cheek.”
“He did what!” Godrick roared, slamming my drink on the counter. The stem broke off, and my drink spilled again.
My shoulders sagged. “Really? Come on. I just wanted a night out.” I felt a little betrayed. I knew if Logan reached out to Godrick, Godrick would control everything. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t feel like I had control over any aspect of my life right now. All I wanted was one night.
A few drinks.
And I couldn’t even have that.
“Poe? Can I have another?” I asked my new favorite bartender, and his brown eyes landed on Godrick.
“Mr. Stoneridge, it’s good to see you again.” Poe held out his hand for a shake, and Godrick met it. “Thank you for the business loan. Expect the first payment in two weeks.”
“Anytime, my friend.”
Of course, they had to be in business together too. How would Godrick feel if he knew Poe bought my drink? Now that I knew Godrick and Poe were in business together, I didn’t want to come back to the bar.
Godrick turned my face left and right to analyze me. “It doesn’t look bad, but I’ll kill him for putting his hands on you, baby.”
“You can’t see anything because I covered them all with makeup.”
“Maria, shut up,” I hissed slowly through closed teeth. This night was going so well.
“All?” Godrick said. “That’s it; we are leaving.” Godrick lifted me off the stool, and into his arms, and then tossed me over his shoulder like the caveman that he was.
I slapped my hands against his back, hating that I noticed the firm muscle that I wanted to rub against like a cat. “Put me down!” I lifted my head to see the bartender staring at me, and his face was as white as a sheet. Yeah, he was probably thinking about how he flirted with his bosses…whatever I was. “Godrick, I swear if you don’t put me down.”
“Don’t make me spank you in front of all these people,” he said as we walked outside. Officer Cortez, Maria, and Logan followed. The noise level died down once we were away from the rambunctious crowd and loud music.
“You want a ride home, beautiful?” Officer Cortez asked Maria. “I’ll let you play with the sirens.”
She squealed in delight and ran toward the car. “Can I sit in the back? I always wondered what it would be like.”
Gabriel showed his beautiful white teeth as he laughed, placing his hand on his chest. “You want me to cuff you? You can get the real experience.”
“I’m going. I’ll see you at home,” Logan said to me as I hung upside down.
I sent him a small wave, and my head started to hurt from all the blood rushing to it.
“You wan
t a ride, boss?” Officer Cortez asked Logan, which was kind, but Logan was already on the verge of snapping.
“No, thanks. I need the fresh air.”
“Logan—” Maria started, but Logan just began walking, and Gabriel opened the passenger side door for her, bypassing the backseat this time. I had a feeling, while Gabriel was a great guy, he and Maria wouldn’t last because of Logan. My friend was head over heels for my brother. Why was that? She had a perfectly good guy that seemed to like her, but wanted my brother instead, a man that couldn’t seem to get off his ass and take what was right in front of him.
Like Godrick, he didn’t mind taking what was his. I knew I belonged to him, even if I did like to test him. I’d admit, I wasn’t upset he tossed me over his shoulder like some damsel in distress, in a way I kind of was. I felt safe in his arms, even if I was hanging upside down. It was better than nothing.
Chapter Nineteen
Godrick
Logan got to the apartment before any of us. Maria had decided to go to her own place with Officer Cortez. I wanted to warn my friend because I knew Maria really wanted Logan. I never noticed that kind of thing before, but after meeting Lucy, I seemed to notice everything.
“Can you put me down now?” Lucy asked, sounding exhausted and bored.
I rubbed her ass with my hand as I climbed the steps to get her inside and safe. Away from this Brian guy. I wanted to see her bruises. I wanted the full story, and I wanted to know why she didn’t call me right away. Her deviance, while most days it made me as hard as a rock, it was worrying me. I wanted her to be safe.
Not wanting to put her down just yet, I knocked on the door for Logan to answer it, so Lucy didn’t have to fish out her keys. When he did, he looked halfway to hell. Logan’s red hair, which was a tad bit more orange than Lucy’s, stuck up in all directions from constantly rubbing his fingers through it. He had a beer in his hand, and the sadness around his eyes was impossible to miss.
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