by Becca Van
* * * *
Hailey prepared to face Connor and the Bartram brothers. She took a deep breath, readying herself to talk them down if they gave her any grief, then gave sigh of relief as she saw the empty hall. She walked toward the bar and Connor was just coming out of the kitchen with a loaded plate in his hand. He grasped her elbow and pulled her along toward the table where Dillon, Chance, and Roman were sitting.
“Sit down and don’t move from there until you’ve eaten,” Connor commanded in a steely voice.
“Connor, I’m so…”
“Don’t say it, Hailey. If you were my woman, I would put you over my knee and tan your bum.”
Hailey’s mouth dropped open as she watched Connor walk away.
“Hailey, eat,” Dillon ordered in a hard voice.
Hailey looked up at Dillon, Chance, and Roman, she opened her mouth to speak, thought better of it when she saw the look in their eyes, and instead shoved a forkful of food in her mouth.
She watched as she saw laugh lines appear at the corner of Dillon’s eyes but his mouth remained still. Hailey didn’t speak until she had eaten more than she thought possible, leaving half the plate full of food. She leaned back in her seat with a sigh and picked up a glass of water.
“How long has it been since you’ve eaten properly, Hailey?” Chance asked.
“Um,” Hailey hesitated then gave a shrug of her shoulders.
“When was your last decent meal, Hailey?” Roman asked the same question Chance had but a little differently.
Connor stopped at the side of the table and looked at her before looking at Roman and the other two men. “She ate here a few nights ago when she first started.”
“Have you eaten since then, Hailey?” Roman asked as he moved his chair in closer to her.
Hailey flinched when Roman’s foot nudged hers as he moved his chair and leaned away from him.
“Shh, sweetheart, I’m not gonna hurt you,” Roman said earnestly as he looked into her face.
“S–so…,” Hailey stuttered to a halt when Dillon held up his hand.
“We don’t want you apologizing all the time, sweet thing. You have nothing to be sorry for. Now, what did Doc say?” asked Dillon.
“Not much,” Hailey replied with a shrug. “Thanks for the food, Connor. I’m sorry you were called in. I’ll get back to work now.”
“You will not,” Connor said firmly.
Hailey looked up at Connor and couldn’t hide the tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave right away.”
Connor reached over and gently enfolded her hand in one of his. “I’m not sacking you, Hailey, but you need some rest. You’re so tired you’re dead on your feet and no, I’m not complaining about your work. You’re one of my best workers, but I don’t want to see you run yourself into the ground and end up in the hospital. You are going to take a week off and rest up. I don’t want you back here until at least a week from tonight,” Conner ordered, then handed her an envelope and left before she could open it.
She stared down at the money in the open envelope and watched as the money inside began to blur through her tears. She felt the moisture rolling down her cheeks, but couldn’t seem to stop them. They kept coming faster and faster. She felt hands on her arms, guiding her away from prying eyes. She hoped no one was looking at her. Hailey hated to be the center of attention and she usually didn’t cry, well, only in her nightmares. She hated people seeing her cry. She couldn’t see where she was going but let herself be led. She heard a door close behind them and the noise from the bar was shut out.
“Hailey, what’s wrong, sweetheart?” Chance asked as he seated her.
Hailey couldn’t answer, she was crying so hard and fast, she sniffed indelicately and tried to hide her face behind her hands.
* * * *
Connor was already in his office calling his brothers to bring Simone to the club for a bit of female support for his new bar attendant. He had just hung up the phone when Roman, Chance, and Dillon had walked into his office with a quietly weeping Hailey. It broke his heart to see her crying so hard, but she never made a sound. He was glad now he had called Simone. The little female currently surrounded by big tough men crying her eyes out needed the compassion of another woman.
* * * *
Dillon and his brothers could see Hailey’s shoulders shaking as she cried silently. He felt so helpless, so useless. Dillon wanted to comfort her, take her in his arms and let her cry, but he had seen her flinch back from being touched. He didn’t want to upset her any more than she already was. He gave a sigh of relief when the door opened to Simone, Connor’s wife. All the men left the room, quietly closing the door behind them leaving the two women alone. He couldn’t sit still, he was so on edge with worry over Hailey. Time and again he shifted in his seat as he looked toward the hall but the door to Connor’s office remained firmly closed. When he looked at Chance and Roman, Dillon knew that his brothers were just as worried as he was. Chance hadn’t stopped frowning and Roman was tapping his foot on the floor in his agitation. He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face and picked up his beer to take a sip. He was going to have to wait until Simone came out to talk to them. Once he knew what was wrong with Hailey then hopefully they could help her with whatever her problem was.
* * * *
“Hailey, what’s wrong?” Simone asked as she sat down on the sofa next to the weeping woman.
Hailey just shook her head, her hands covering her face as she cried quietly.
Simone moved up closer to Hailey and wrapped her arms around her. She rubbed her back soothingly as she held Hailey and waited for the storm to burst. It didn’t take long. Hailey buried her face against Simone’s chest and bawled her eyes out. Simone gave a sigh of relief as Hailey began to make sobbing sounds. She didn’t want Hailey to lock away her emotions anymore. Simone had a feeling she had been doing that for way too long as it was. She just let Hailey cry out her pain and made soothing noises, not saying anything or doing anything but holding her. It took a long time, but eventually Hailey cried herself out.
“Are you okay, Hailey?” Simone asked, trying to keep her own tears at bay. The last thing Hailey needed was to see her crying with sympathy for the other woman’s pain.
Hailey raised her red eyes, opened then closed her mouth and gave Simone a nod. Simone gave Hailey a pat on the shoulder, walked over to the desk picked up the phone and ordered a bottle of scotch and cola, as well as a jug of water. There was a quiet knock on the door a minute later. Connor brought Simone what she wanted, then left again closing the door behind him, without once speaking or looking at Hailey.
“Do you want to talk about it, Hailey?” Simone asked as she poured two double scotches and added some cola.
“No. I’m okay.” Hailey’s voice was croaky from her crying jag. “I’m sorry for crying all over you.”
“Hey, you don’t need to apologize, that’s what friends are for. Come on, girlfriend, drink up,” Simone said and downed her drink quickly.
Hailey did the same and came up coughing and spluttering. Simone laughed at her then poured two more drinks. “I suggest you sip that one, if you’re not used to drinking.”
“So, where are you living?” Simone asked.
“Oh, I found a bungalow attached to the back of a house. It’s great, not too expensive and it came fully furnished.”
“Oh, well that’s good. Who’s in the house?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t seen anyone or met the owners yet.”
“Why not?”
“Uh, I’m not much of a people person,” Hailey replied.
“For someone who doesn’t like people much, you’re doing a fantastic job with the bar. Connor sings your praises all the time. He says you work your arse off.” Simone smiled.
“Well, at least I can do something right,” Hailey muttered.
“Hey, don’t put yourself down. You’re a wonderful person and my gawd, you should see all the men drooling over you as you work. They
can’t keep their eyes off of you,” Simone said.
“They can’t?” Hailey asked fearfully.
“Hailey, no one here would ever hurt you, honey. What happened to you?” Simone frowned and took Hailey’s free hand in her own, offering a little comfort.
“Um,” she shrugged her shoulders.
“Drink up, girlfriend. I’m beating you,” Simone said with a grin as she stood and made her way over to the desk where she had left the alcohol. She brought it back with her and put it on the little table next to the sofa and potted plant.
Simone didn’t talk much, she just sat companionably with Hailey keeping her company as she downed another drink. Simone hadn’t had any of the other drinks besides the first one. Every drink she poured herself after that one ended up in the potted plant, but she was hoping the alcohol would help Hailey relax enough to open up with her.
“You know, I really like men, but I don’t like them to come near me,” Hailey slurred.
Thank you, God, Simone thought. “Why not?” She asked lightly.
“’Cause they’re too strong.”
“Well, I suppose so, but that can be good if you need them to help you,” Simone replied.
“Help? No one’s ever wanted to help me. You know, I thought I was going to have a good life when I got adopted, when I was ten. Ha, what a laugh.” Hailey hiccupped as she looked into her glass.
“I love that my husbands are so strong. They help me out all the time. They won’t even let me carry the groceries in after we go shopping,” Simone said with a dreamy smile on her face.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Hailey slurred. “My adoptive parents used me like a maid from the first day. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind working to keep a roof over my head and all. It was way better than the orphanage. But I couldn’t stay when my adoptive brother raped me.”
Simone’s whole body went tense with rage and she hoped that Hailey was too intoxicated to notice that she had flinched.
“It doesn’t matter where I go, he always seems to find me.”
Fucking bastard, Simone screamed in her mind.
“He’s such a monster. He leaves messages for me on my car. Of course as soon as I see the notes I go into hiding. He must like to play with me. I’ve haven’t seen him since I left but I can always feel when he is watching me.”
The fury roiling inside Simone was almost too much to take. Her heart was beating so fast and her breathing escalated. She just hoped that Hailey didn’t feel or see her reactions when she started shaking. No wonder she’s in so much pain and skittish around men. If she had a gun she would shoot that motherfucker so he would never be able to hurt another woman.
“I get a knot of dread in the pit of my stomach and the hair on my nape stands on end. I have no idea how he always manages to track me down, but no matter how careful I am he always shows up. I’m tired of running. I’m tired of living hand to mouth, of being cold and hungry and lonely. I’m tired of being scared. I’m just so damn tired. But I’ll keep moving if it will keep me from being hurt again and alive.”
Oh God, Hailey. Let me and my men, and the Bartram brothers help you.
“He scares me. The last message said if he can’t have me, then no one else can either.” Hailey shrugged her shoulders and then shivered with what looked like fear. And Simone couldn’t blame her one little bit. She was horrified over what Hailey had just said. Horrified that someone in a position of supposed trust had taken advantage of such a sweet, innocent woman. Simone felt sick to her stomach but pushed her feelings aside when Hailey began talking again.
“He’ll find me again and then I’m gonna have to leave the first home I’ve had in over two years.”
Hailey started laughing hysterically. Soon her laugh turned to sobs. Simone wrapped her arms around Hailey and gently took the glass from her hand.
“I grew up in an orphanage, too, Hailey. I can understand why you wanted to get out,” Simone sympathized. “Don’t you dare run, girlfriend. The men of this town are strong. I can get my men to get word out to look after you.”
“No. I don’t want people wasting their time on me. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years. No one wants to be burdened by a stranger. No one wants to be close to me. No one wants to love me,” Hailey slurred as her eyes drooped down. Simone’s eyes filled with tears at what the exhausted woman had been through. She looked so downtrodden and exhausted, just like she’d felt herself not so long ago. Hailey curled up on the sofa and let sleep claim her.
Simone left Connor’s office and slowly walked back to where Connor was sitting with Dillon, Chance, and Roman.
“Hey, angel, how is she?” Connor asked Simone, as he helped her into the seat beside him.
“Oh, Connor, She’s been to hell and back,” Simone sobbed.
Connor pulled his wife onto his lap, wrapped her in his arms and held her as she cried. He rubbed her back until she had herself under control, handed her a handkerchief and let her dry her face. Simone looked up at her husband as she told him what Hailey had told her.
“She grew up in an orphanage, the same as I did, but she was adopted when she was ten years old.”
“Well, that’s better than you had it, baby, at least she got out of the system,” Connor said then seemed to hold his breath when she shook her head.
“No. She would have been better off in the orphanage, Connor. They used her as a maid, a fucking servant. And do you know what Hailey said? She said she didn’t mind having to pay her way, for having a roof over her head and food in her stomach. She’s running, Connor. She’s running from a monster. Her adoptive brother raped her two years ago and now he’s following her wherever she goes. He leaves notes on her car to taunt her, as if he enjoys playing with her and scaring her, telling her that if he can’t have her, then no one else will either,” Simone finished on a sob.
“Fuck. I’ll kill him,” Chance roared.
“Not if I get there first,” Dillon said in a hard voice.
“She’s so alone, Connor. She’s just moved into a bungalow at the back of a stranger’s house. She doesn’t even know who lives in the house, says she’s too shy to go and introduce herself. She doesn’t like being around men, she’s too scared of them,” Simone said quietly.
“Shit,” Dillon snapped out.
“What?” asked Connor.
“We rented that house not long after Hailey moved into the bungalow. We want to help her, we’ve heard her screaming and crying in her sleep but we didn’t want her to pull away from us any more than she already has. We want her as our woman, she’s perfect, but we’re too scared of making her run.” Dillon sighed with frustration.
“What the hell do we do now?” Chance asked.
“Love her,” Simone replied with a smile.
“We want to Simone, but we don’t want her running,” Roman said.
“Just use your instincts. You guys are more used to using your instincts than any other men I know. You’ve lived by your instincts, why stop now?” Simone asked.
“Hmm, you may have something there. Thanks, Simone,” Dillon smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. He was obviously still cut up over learning what Hailey had been through and to be honest, so was she. She just wanted to go home and be wrapped up in the arms of her husbands.
“Okay, let’s take our woman home.” Chance rose to his feet.
“Hey, I’ll be watching and if you hurt her, you’re gonna have me to deal with,” Simone stated fiercely.
“The last thing we want to do is hurt Hailey,” Chance replied.
“I know, but I’ll still be watching.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Roman replied and tipped an imaginary hat at her.
Chapter Five
Hailey woke up with a pounding headache. She kept her eyes closed and moaned as she put a hand to her head. She moved her legs and froze, then she gave a shriek of fright and flew from the bed. She ran into the wall and fell back on her butt. She scrambled to her feet again and turned ar
ound to look at the bed she had escaped from.
Dillon sat up, got out of bed and approached Hailey, cautiously.
“Are you all right, sweet thing?” Dillon frowned with concern.
“What the hell are you…am I doing here? Where is here for goodness sake and why was I in bed with you?” Hailey screeched.
“Calm down, Hailey. I’m not going to hurt you, sweetheart. You’re here because you were so drunk you passed out. We brought you home so we could look after you. We didn’t want you getting sick in your sleep. Besides, you only live out back,” Dillon smiled gently.
“Y…you own this house? The house I’m renting the bungalow from?” Hailey asked incredulously.
“No, we don’t own the house, Hailey, we’re only renting it until we can find our own place,” Dillon replied.
“You have got to be kidding me? How long have you lived here?”
“Calm down, sweetheart, I don’t want you making yourself ill. We didn’t know you were renting the bungalow until after you were already here, so don’t go thinking we set you up. We had no idea you were here until we heard, uh, saw you coming home one night.”
“What’s going on?” Chance asked from behind Hailey.
Hailey gave a squeak of fright and flew across the other side of the room. She slid down to the floor, clutching her head. She couldn’t take any more, she’d had more than enough. She dropped her head down and began to cry. She didn’t make a sound as she sat in the corner of the strange room, clutching her pounding head, her shoulders shaking as she cried.
Dillon moved closer and even though she was aware of his approach she kept her face hidden.
“It’s all right, Hailey. I promise you, we will never, ever, hurt you, sweetheart,” Dillon spoke quietly, soothingly, as he scooped her up into his arms. He picked her up, carried her in his arms and sat down on the edge of the bed and placed her in his lap. He cradled her against his large body, rubbing a large hand up and down her back, making crooning sounds while comforting her. He must have known the moment she stopped crying, because her shoulders stopped shaking and she slumped down on him, her muscles going lax with tiredness.