“Here.” His big hand held out a folded piece of paper. “You didn’t mention your boyfriend was a crazy-ass son of a bitch.”
I took the note and locked eyes with Beau. He didn’t appear angry, more like cautious and trying to put some levity into what was a frightening situation. It wasn’t every day you had someone threaten you with a gun. Beau was also inspecting me head to toe, likely looking for signs of an abusive relationship.
“He’s not really a bad guy.” The lie fell easily from my lips. “He’s just worried about me.”
But only when he’s not busy fucking big-breasted blonde bimbos.
I must have looked upset, because Beau frowned and gently patted my arm. “You okay? I can call the sheriff if you need me to. Have a report written up if this guy is a problem.”
“No!” Beau jerked his hand back when I practically shouted my response. I breathed deep and tried to project calm. “I’m fine. He’s never hurt me… physically, that is. He would never do that. I just, I need to be on my own right now. I need some space to think.”
“You don’t have to explain all that to me, Miri. I’m just makin’ sure you’re all right.”
“I am. Thank you for being concerned. You don’t know how much it means to me.” Beau was the first person to care about me in forever. Except… Jag did care. Despite the blonde slut, or locking me in my room, or anything else he put me through, I knew Jag cared. He wouldn’t have gotten me off the H if he didn’t.
Beau nodded. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll see you at work.” The man turned and stomped down the rickety staircase.
I closed the door and slid to the floor with the note clenched in my trembling hand. I didn’t want to read Jag’s words, to allow him to suck me back into his world of lies and false promises. Yes, he helped me get off heroin and I’d always be grateful for that, but Jag wasn’t good for me. Unfortunately, my heart desperately wanted to know what he had to say, and of course, I was weak, so curiosity won out over rationale.
I unfolded the paper and read the neat handwriting.
Miri, I don’t know what I did or why you left, but it’s not safe for you to be out there alone. Please come back and we can talk. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, even if you don’t want anything between us anymore. I’m not giving up on you. Call me. Please.
Jag
A phone number was printed under his name.
I stifled a sob and crumpled the paper in my hand. I didn’t know what the right thing to do was anymore. What did he mean I wasn’t safe? That I needed protection? Was Jag just saying those things to frighten me to get me to come back?
I wouldn’t get the answers unless I called the number, and I wasn’t ready to do that yet. Exhausted and hungry, I grabbed a granola bar I bought at a gas station out of my bag and ate it before falling into a restless sleep on the bare floor.
15
Miri
Bang, bang, bang!
My head was pounding so hard it felt like drums were beating in a steady, unrelenting rhythm on my skull.
Bang, bang, bang!
With a groan, I rolled over. My entire body ached from spending the night on the floor.
Bang, bang, bang!
Okay, that definitely wasn’t my head. I lurched to a sitting position and froze. Someone was at the door. The apartment was almost pitch black. Only a faint hint of moonlight filtered through the curtains to cast eerie shadows on the walls.
“Miri! Open the door.”
My stomach dropped. It was Jag. Apparently, Beau’s threat wasn’t enough to keep him away. My stupid heart soared at the fact that Jag refused to back down. That he was fighting for me. That he didn’t give up on us. My brain, however, was tired and confused. So damn confused.
“Miri! So help me god, I will break down this fucking door if you don’t open it.”
His raspy growl sent goose bumps across my skin and a chill down my spine that went straight to my core. I bit back a moan. The man was still able to affect me in ways no one else could. A loud crack split the silence.
Oh my god. He’s actually breaking down the door.
I scrambled to my feet and, with trembling hands, twisted the lock. No sooner had it clicked open than six feet three inches of incredibly pissed-off drug lord came barreling into the tiny apartment.