by Imogen Wells
“Ooh, are we making cocktails?” I ask, pulling out ingredients for Mojitos, “Now that, I’m definitely down for.” I clap, then rub my hands together excited to see the girls. We spend several minutes chatting about our day, and then I head to my room to shower and change.
After my shower, I pull out some comfy joggers and a slouch, off-shoulder tee before heading to my dresser for underwear. As I shut the drawer, my eyes land on the scrap of paper with Rick’s number on it. My eyes quickly flick to the phone on my bedside table, and before I have time to change my mind, I grab the number, walking to the phone and dialling it without a thought to what it will mean. As it rings, part of me hopes no one will answer and absolve me feeling any guilt when I don’t bother to try again. But I know that’s no good. I made the choice to run, I made the choice to live, and now is my chance to make sure that all the precious lives lost because of me weren’t for nothing. I don’t want to live my life in fear, forever looking over my shoulder, so I need to man the fuck up. As that thought goes through my head the line connects, and I’m met with a voice that as the fear inside me settling.
“Hello, Rick Sullivan speaking.” I try to speak but nothing comes out. “Hello,” another pause and then, “Camryn, is that you?” I gasp, shit! How does he know it’s me?
“Yes, it’s me.” I hear him sigh down the phone, and then rustling noises as he moves around. “How did you know it was me?” I ask, a little unsure now. My fear spikes again, but I push it down refusing to let it control me or stop me from doing what’s right.
“I didn’t, not for sure. I guess I just hoped it was you. Are you okay? Are you safe?” I can hear the hesitation in his voice, and almost see him holding his breath while he waits for me to put his mind at ease.
“I’m safe, well, at least I think I am. What’s going on Rick, do you know what happened to Tyler?” I hear a mumbled ‘shit’ and then him whispering to someone before he comes back to me.
“Look, I’m sending someone to you.” I shake my head before realising he can’t see me through the phone, but just as I go to speak he cuts me off, “Don’t be scared, you’ve met before, and I trust him with my life. He’ll be there soon, and then he’ll fill you in, as much as possible anyway.” The last bit is mumbled, but I still heard him. “Did you hear me, Camryn, is that okay?”
“Yes, okay” And before I can say anything else the line goes dead. Fuck! What does this mean, who’s he sending here, and how the fuck does he know where I am?
I lay back on my bed, grab a pillow and scream into it. Afterwards, I get dressed, and then go and make cocktails because, boy, do I need one right now. By the time Jamie comes down, I’ve made two jugs of Mojito and am already on my second glass. Jamie grabs a glass from the counter and pours herself one, taking a large gulp and nearly chokes.
“Fuck…How much did you put in here?” She manages to splutter. Oops, I think I may have been a little overzealous with the rum. We spend the next thirty minutes setting out the snacks in the lounge and drinking more of my strong as fuck Mojitos.
I don’t think any more about my call with Rick and just plan to enjoy the evening. And that is exactly what I do.
It’s just past midnight when we call it a night, the girls, Jess and Marie are at the door. They are attempting to put their coats on, very badly at that. After all the usual hugging and air kissing bullshit, Marie opens the front door and steps out, but then spins around, almost falling and breaking her neck.
“Who’s the hottie, do you know him?” she whisper-shouts, throwing her head over her shoulder and drawing our attention down the drive to the road.
Once I’m sure she’s not going to topple over, I lift my head looking in the direction she gestured to, and lo and behold…Oh, you’ve got to be fucking shitting me! Leaning against a sleek, black car, one leg crossed over the other and arms folded across his massive chest, is none other than ‘pretty boy’ from Rick’s house.
Obviously hearing us, he lifts his head, and his eyes immediately find mine. Woah! That is fucking hot as hell. His head is tilted slightly allowing his hair to fall forward as his stare penetrates right through me. To the very bones of me. A shiver runs through my body that has goosebumps spreading across my skin like waves on the shore. I break our gaze when I hear Jamie behind me asking if I know him.
“Yeah. Yeah, I know him.” Without another word, I walk down the drive towards him, and it’s like my feet have a mind of their fucking own. When I reach him, he rises to his full height, towering over me, and now I’m face to face with his broad chest. I have to crane my neck to be even close to looking him in the eye, but it does make me realise just how close to him I am. More than that, I’m not even afraid, and that thought has my mind in a complete spin.
Taking a step back, so as not to end up with a crook neck, I finally meet his eyes. And boy, are they pretty fucking eyes. I remember seeing them at Rick’s, but I certainly don’t remember how stunningly blue they are. They are an azure blue, the exact colour of the sky on a clear day and it feels like I could take a swim in them.
“Hey,” is all I manage to get out of my mouth before it dries up like the Sahara dessert. The corner of his lip quirks up, and a dimple appears that has my heart literally skipping a beat at the sight. I’m so screwed.
“Hey, Bambi, good to see you again. You going to introduce me to your friends?” he says, flicking his eyes over my shoulder to where I’m absolutely certain the girls are standing with their jaws on the floor.
After quick introductions, to Jess and Marie, whose taxi couldn’t have arrived at a better time, we say our goodbyes and head inside. I can feel eyes on me the whole way into the house, in fact, I can feel two sets of eyes on me, and it’s making me nervous.
We move to the lounge, and as Blue takes a seat, Jamie acts the perfect host offering him a drink. I already know what’s coming.
“Err…Cam, can you join me in the kitchen for a second, please?” Jamie asks, before heading that way. To be honest I’m grateful for the reprieve because I feel like I’m caught in a riptide and the sea is about to swallow me whole. I have no idea how I’m supposed to explain this to her. ‘Jamie, this is Blue. We met when I went to his friend to get a new identity.’ You know, ‘cause that’s an everyday occurrence. When I shared my story with Jamie, I left huge parts out, and now I feel like it’s all going to be exposed.
I’m not ready for that, not ready at all! My chest begins to tighten, anxiety kicking in as I move towards the kitchen.
The instant we enter the kitchen, Jamie whirls around on me and I brace myself for the questions.
“Start talking. I want to know everything.” I can see the sparkle of excitement in her eyes, and I’m a little surprised. “I’m assuming, you know, as you’re not screaming the walls down, he’s not the ex?” She moves around the kitchen as she waits me out. Come on Camryn, think for fuck sakes, think!
“Err…No, not the ex. He’s just a guy I met before I came to Manchester, no one important,” I say, with a shrug.
“You wound me, Bambi.” The sound of Blue’s rich, velvety smooth voice right behind me has my hand flying to my chest in fright, but I don’t turn around, I can’t. My feet are stuck to the floor.
I hear the slight rustle of clothes then the warmth of his hands on the tops of my arms and that’s it. That right there is my breaking point. I spin away so fast it makes me dizzy.
“Don’t touch me!” The venomous edge to my tone has Jamie arching a brow in surprise. I hold my hands out warning them to stay back as Jamie takes a step forward.
I try to take a few deep breaths, but my chest feels like it’s in a vice slowly crushing me in its jaws and every breath tightens the screws. My eyes dart around the room looking for an escape, and then they land on Blue’s. His brow is drawn together, but his eyes remain soft. I see the confusion in them and the apology, but it’s not enough to calm me. I’m lost to the vision of another’s hands on me.
We’d been out for our usual
date night when Sean had taken a call halfway through the evening, and ever since, his mood had soured. I had assumed it was because of the call, and maybe it was partly, but once we arrived home it become all too clear that wasn’t the only reason.
As soon as we entered the house, he lost his shit, shouting and screaming in my face about how I had flirted with the waiter, giving him the eye all night. I knew what was coming, and that my night would end with me bruised and broken, again. I just had no idea how very bad it would be. He slapped me across the face, and as I tried to run, Lewis grabbed my arms from behind, his grip on my biceps was bruising.
“Fucking hold her still. This little whore needs to learn a lesson, and I’m going to enjoy it so very fucking much,” he shouted, sneering at me. He grabbed his crotch, and I could clearly see the outline of his hard dick.
Sean started slapping me again, my lip split, and blood trickled to the floor. Lewis was still holding me, and I could hear the smile in his grunt when I tried to pull my arms free.
“You want to act like a whore, then I’ll fucking treat you like one.” Sean pulled his favourite knife from his pocket, and the colour drained from my face. I already knew the pain of that blade. Stepping forward, he grabbed my chin in a vice like grip, yanking my head back to him when I tried to turn away from him. “I’m going to show you how I fuck whores, and then maybe I’ll let Lewis here have a go too.”
Then I begged. “No, Sean. Please, I’ll be good, I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. I’ll keep my eyes to the floor, I promise.” I remember searching the room looking for someone that might help me, but it was pointless. Nobody gave a shit.
He slapped me again, and before I could recover, he ripped my dress open, running the flat edge of the knife down my cheek to my collarbone. When he reached the centre of my breasts, he flipped it, pressing the pointed tip into my flesh and piercing the skin. I felt the flow of warm blood as it seeped from my skin. The metallic smell had made my stomach clench and bile rise in my throat. Pulling the knife away, he slid it under my bra and yanked forward, slicing my bra in two. A whimper left me, and I felt the first tear fall down my cheek.
I started begging again, but it made no difference. Sean cut the rest of my underwear away, leaving me standing there in the shredded remains of my dress. Lewis’ hold on me remained, and when Sean reached out to touch my naked breast, I flinched backwards. Lewis practically purred as my arse made contact with his crotch. He held me, watched and enjoyed every second of Sean’s assault on my body, and when Sean removed his belt, undoing his trousers, I knew right then that this would be the worst night of my life.
Coming out of the memory, I watch as Blue steps back, holding his hands up and mirroring my own.
“It’s okay, I won’t come any closer, I promise.” I can feel his sincerity, but my fucked-up brain won’t allow me to believe it. “How about…” he pauses, looking to Jamie, and from the corner of my eye I see the silent conversation pass between them. This time when Blue speaks, he’s more confident, assured about whatever it is he’s going to say. “How about I go back to the lounge and leave you two alone for a minute? Jamie can make that drink she promised me, and then we can talk, huh. That sound good?” He’s talking to me like a frightened child, it’s patronising as hell, but I get it.
I feel like a cornered animal. My body is ready to fight back without a thought for the repercussions, and adrenaline has flooded my system as my fight or flight response kicks in. I just nod my head; it’s all my body is capable of right now. Immediately, Blue edges backwards, lowering his hands as he goes. He doesn’t turn or look away until he reaches the door to the lounge, and then he disappears from sight altogether.
My breath leaves me, one I didn’t even know I was holding, and I sink to the floor, drawing my knees into my chest with my head back on the kitchen cupboard. I’m conscious of movement, but I don’t open my eyes or look to the sound because I know it’s just Jamie. She’s giving me time and space, and she has no idea how thankful I am for it. I sit there as a whispered conversation floats to me from the lounge, one I only catch snippets from.
And I sit.
I don’t know how long I stay there for, but it feels like the longest time. Eventually, I become aware of someone sitting next to me.
“Cam? Blue left.” I roll my head along the cupboard until I’m looking at her. I guess she must see surprise or shock in my eyes and adds, “He didn’t want to, trust me. I practically had to force him out the door,” she says, rolling her eyes, “But you’ve been sat here for almost an hour…”
“An hour? I’ve been sat here for an hour?” I ask incredulously, she just nods in reply. “I’m sorry, Jamie.”
“What on earth are you apologising for?”
“For everything. Freaking out on you, bringing shit to your door.” Fucking your life up, putting you in possible danger. But I don’t voice those because I’m a fucking coward. Jamie just tuts like it’s no big deal but it is. She thinks it’s no big deal because that’s what I’ve let her think. What’s she going to say when all my secrets poor out of the bulging closet? The doors are already straining at the seams, lie upon lie, secret upon secret, and they will all come crashing out. Like a tsunami they will consume and destroy everything in its path.
I help Jamie lock up, and without another word between us we go our separate ways. I’m not sure how I feel about that; part of me thinks it’s probably for the best, but then the other part is sad for the loss of a friendship. One that has kept me tethered and sane.
Six
Blue
Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck! I slam my hand on the steering wheel. And again, when that doesn’t even touch the aggression flowing through my body right now. I don’t know what I’m angrier at; the fact that I scared the shit out of her, or the fact that I even care that much. Yeah, that makes me sound like a complete arsehole, but why change the habit of a lifetime, right? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not completely devoid of emotion or feeling, but I don’t get these feelings. What is it about this fucking woman that has me twisted up like the cords of a rope?
From the moment I met her, and at that point she was a target for the next notch on my man-whore bedpost, there was something different, something appealing about her, and she hasn’t left my mind since.
When Rick finally filled me in on exactly who she was it just fuelled the fire already burning within me. A fire I’ve not felt since…Well, let’s just say in a long time. I don’t have time for relationships or romantic shit, and there sure ain’t no white picket fence and 2.4 children in my future. That hasn’t stopped me searching all over Manchester looking for her and following every fucking lead possible, and though I might not want to admit it right now, it sure as shit wasn’t just because of the job.
My phone starts ringing in my pocket, and I pull it out to see it’s Rick, then drop it to my lap. It rings off, then immediately starts back up again, which tells me he won’t give up till I answer. Before it can ring off a second time I answer.
“Yes.” I wince at my tone, “Sorry, man. What’s up?”
“Oh, wow!” he chuckles, “Is Cam proving to be impervious to your charms, you must be losing your touch.”
“Shut it, Sully, this is fucking serious.” I blow a breath down the phone, “How much do you know about her, Sully? ‘Cause from what I just witnessed; we don’t know the half of it. Are you sure Tyler gave you everything because I feel we are missing something? And I ain’t talking no little something either.” I’m met by a few choice words before Sully asks me to meet him at a hotel. Obviously, he’s in town and that has me concerned.
On my way to the hotel, I go over my conversation with Camryn’s friend Jamie. From what she said, it would appear we are not the only ones in the dark. Which tells me that Camryn doesn’t trust anyone, and that’s going to make our job twice as hard. I need to remember, that despite what my dick thinks or wants, this is just another job.
Jamie wasn’t able to tell me anything about S
ean, in fact, she seemed surprised when I mentioned his name. I’m not stupid enough to have given her his surname because being in Manchester means nothing to men like him. Him and others like him have eyes and ears everywhere, that’s a big worry, and the main reason why I’m just glad we found her before he did. At least I hope that’s the case.
I won’t know for certain what Camryn knows until I speak with her in the morning. What I do know, is that if Sean Donovan finds her, it will be game over. Whatever she did or took from him, has him gunning for her like he’s at war.
When I arrive at the hotel, Sully is leaning against his car, looking casual as hell and not at all like it’s almost 2am. Jerk!
We find a corner in the bar, near the back and away from nosey bastards. I catch him up on what went down tonight, and when I’m finished, he doesn’t look surprised in the slightest. When I ask him what he knows, he gives me a pained sigh and rubs both hands down his face, leaving them cupped around his mouth. Then he tells me the one thing no man, no real man, wishes to hear. I knew it was bad, but this…It explains her reaction tonight. Now I feel doubly shit for touching her.
Tyler had told us that Sean liked to be heavy handed with her, but he never mentioned anything about rape or sexual assault.
Men like Sean Donovan don’t have an ounce of respect for their women. They are nothing more than property, and there to be used and abused as they see fit. For a man who has ties to several gangs and has been mentioned in relation to sex trafficking, it’s not a big leap to imagine how he treats his own woman.
His ties to the sex trafficking world are the reason for our interest in the first place. Amongst other things.
We talk for a little longer, now we have no man inside things are a damn sight harder. Without Tyler we have no idea of Sean’s movements and despite the fact we have Seb and a few of the other guys keeping tabs, it’s not enough.