“Sure.” she gestures to the settee in the room. Maybe I can learn a bit more about him and this life. “I was involved with a bad man, though I didn't know it at the time. With him it was always glitz and glamour. I guess in my mind, I convinced myself he was some sort of high powered businessman. Huh. That couldn’t have been further from the truth.”
I find myself holding her hand, trying to give her some comfort as her eyes drift off into her memories. “It started off innocently enough,” she continues, “He would come home and have a drink or two and get a bit aggressive. I am ashamed to admit now that I sort of liked it.” I know how she feels.
“Sex with him was always rough and beyond anything I had ever imagined. But then he began to change. Not in major ways at first, but enough that it should have sent up red flags. But I was still too enamored with the wealth.'' I see a tear in the corner of her eye and my heart breaks for her. I hear remnants of her story in this situation and I am more than doubting my decision.
“You don’t have to continue. Forget I asked.” not wanting her to relive a life she escaped.
“No, it’s ok. I have never spoken in such detail to anyone. It feels kind of good to get it out.'' I nod knowing how she feels. “One day, I found myself being forced to sleep with the men he brought home. He said it was to prove my loyalty and at the time, I fell for it.” oh God. My hand comes to my mouth as I try to contain the sorrow.
“When I would try to resist, I would be held down and given cocaine to comply. I eventually became so addicted; I did anything to get my next fix. Food tortured my stomach, so I didn’t eat, and I began to waste away. Then one day, in comes Dario. He was the first man that didn’t try to fuck me or look at me in disgust. I didn’t see pity when I looked in his eyes. I saw rage for what had been done to me.” how can a man like that possibly be as dark as he claims?
“He brought me to his home, hired people to nurse me back to health and helped me to recover my self-respect. That seems forever ago.”
“Wow.” Not sure what else to say. Now I know there is light in him.
The question is: do I like the darkness more?
9
Dario
Now I know someone has breached my organization. There is no way in fuck they should have made it past the compound gates. “What the fuck Click!” I scream as I walk to the door. I hear the guards outside shouting as guns fire at whoever the fuck is asking for their brains to be hung from my balcony as a warning.
“I don’t know Dar. Pyro and I were going over info still trying to find the leak when we heard the alarm. The front cameras had been disabled so we couldn't see. We still don’t know who…” my front door opens and we both pull, cock and aim, ready to spray whoever it is until we see my cousin Tim holding Scar.
“Well shit cuz. What a way to welcome me home.” he says trying to lighten the mood, but I can see the set of jaw ticking.
“What the fuck runt.” I address him for a second before turning to Scar to see the damage. My attention is being pulled in multiple directions as the gunfire livens up along with the shouting. “How bad is it?”
“Shit.” Scar grunts as he sits in the seat. “It’s nothing boss. Just a flesh wound. Tell pretty boy over here to let me go back in the fight.” I am tempted to since it seems we are taking some heavy hits, but I also care about my men.
“No. Click call the doc. You stay put.” reaching behind me I grab my gun and cock it. It takes me a second to step toward the door and not for a second is it missed by my men.
“Dar, I am going out there. I know you have someone to live for now. None of us will think any less of you if you stay inside.” Click tells me trying to absolve me of my hesitation. Putting my hand on his shoulder, I thank him.
“Thank you, partner. But, I would think less of myself. What kind of man would I be for her if I bitch up? I’m going.”
“Not alone.” Tim says, pulling his Glock out. Jesus. I shake my head knowing his wife Brenda is going to have my ass for this.
“Runt, stay in the damn house. I will not have Brenda over here beating my ass for you getting hurt. You're supposed to be taking care of that heart.” My cousin had a heart transplant two years ago and when he woke up from it, he wasn’t the same person. His wife Brenda is a sweet girl who loves him, but she is also fierce about protecting his heart.