Chapter 18
18
T essa never laughed so much in her life. Her sides ached from the nonstop jokes and silly antics of her friends. For a moment, the fear and tension that gripped her loosened its hold.
The girls were at Lucky’s Bar. The music was loud; the drinks were cold. The air was heavy with the mingling scents of beer, sweat, perfume, and something fried.
Colored lights flickered across the crowded room, casting vibrant shadows on the walls and faces. The hum of conversations and the sharp clack of pool balls competed with the pulsating music. The atmosphere buzzed with energy.
It was a brief respite for what was becoming her ordinary. She was still on campus, trying to piece together her life.
There had been no other sightings of Marty or Damien.
The Brotherhood checked motels near Ford’s cabin. They found someone who resembled Marty checking in and then out. So he was gone.
The discovery brought some relief but didn’t erase the nagging suspicion that Damien was determined not to let her go.
His face still haunted her dreams.
Hell, sometimes even in the daytime.
The venom in his voice still reminded Tessa that Damien was a force to be reckoned with.
And then there was the mysterious Malina he worked for. Tessa had a feeling she was worse than Damien and Marty.
But every day there was a glimmer of hope, and she was feeling more confident that she was free of him. And if she was free of him, she needed to reclaim her life.
“Come on, Tessa,” yelled Joy. “Let’s dance.”
Joy grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. The other girls joined in. They twirled and laughed until Tessa’s cheeks were flushed from the exercise and, to some extent, from the two frozen margaritas she’d consumed.
Finally, Tessa had enough. She worked her way back to the table, her legs shaking from exertion.
Emelia and Felicia Montgomery were chatting and watching her when she sat down.
“You okay, Tessa?” asked Felicia. Tessa had just met Isabelle’s future sister-in-law and really liked the quiet woman. She said little, but Tessa noticed she observed everything.
Tessa nodded.
“How are things working out with Ford?” asked Emelia. “Have you decided about what you want to do? Will you stay here or move back to Atlanta?”
Tessa hesitated. Could she share some of her story? Would the women think less of her? Although why would they? Nothing that happened was her fault. She wasn’t ashamed of her past.
They were all strong women. Maybe they wouldn’t have run away. Bah. Not going there.
Joy, Isabelle, and Naomi wandered back to the table and heard Felicia’s question.
“Is everything all right?” Joy asked.
“Yes,” replied Tessa. She took a long sip of what was left of her drink and placed the empty glass down. “I guess I’m just … I’m trying to figure out what next.”
“Can we help?” asked Naomi.
Tessa looked around the table at the women’s expectant faces. They were all somehow connected to the Brotherhood, and for some reason, she wanted to be part of that, too.
“Well, there’s more to my story than just breaking into Ford’s cabin,” she admitted. The musicians were taking a break, and Tessa felt like her voice carried throughout the room and everyone was staring at her.
The girls leaned in. “I just knew it,” exclaimed Isabelle. “Are you running from an abusive boyfriend? A married man? Did you kill someone and you’re on the lam?”
“Oh,” Felicia huffed and swatted Isabelle’s arm. “You are such a drama queen. Let the woman speak.” She leaned over and squeezed Tessa’s hand. “Nothing you can tell us will be repeated, and trust me…” She looked around the table. “We all have stories.”
Tessa drew in a shaky breath. “I am an event planner. And Damien—the guy I was dating—ran a nightclub and gave me my first really big break. Everything was perfect until I saw him and his friend Marty talking in the corner.”
She swallowed hard. “I thought something was wrong with the event, but when I finally got over there, they had moved to Damien’s office. I heard… I heard things I never thought I would. Damien is a drug dealer and hurts people.”
The women let out a sharp exhale.
“Tessa, that’s awful,” murmured Emelia. “Is that why you left?”
“Not exactly.” Tessa bit her lip and sighed. “I went to the police, and they suggested I wear a wire or record Damien.”
A large gasp went around the table.
“Damien found out and threatened to kill me. So, I ran.” She looked at her new friends. “And here I am, homeless, jobless and moneyless.” She threw up her hands. “Go me.”
For a moment, there was silence until Felicia spoke up. “You’re not alone here.”
Tessa cocked her head. “What do you mean?”
Felicia exchanged a glance with the other women before continuing. “We’ve all been through something. Isabelle and I were chased by a mob dealer who thought we stole money from him. Will and Colt rescued us.”
“Oh my!” exclaimed Tessa.
“I was stalked by my cousin’s boyfriend, who chased me into the woods and pulled a gun on me. Liam helped rescue me,” said Joy.
Emelia gave a small smile. “I was kidnapped by someone who felt they should have my business. Titus saved me.”
“I had a psycho classmate who believed I belonged to him and kidnapped me, hiding me in a secret basement room.” Naomi nodded and said, “Chase was there for me.”
By the time they were finished, Tessa sat in stunned silence. Their confessions were not what she expected to hear. These women had faced adversity and won.
Now she understood the connection to the Brotherhood and why the women understood her plight.
“Gosh, I didn’t know. You’ve all been through so much,” Tessa said. “And you’ve all come out the other side stronger.”
“And so will you,” said Joy gently.
“Aren’t you afraid to just go out and have a good time at night without looking over your shoulder?” Tessa asked.
Isabelle chuckled. “Oh, sweetie, I guess you didn’t see Will and Colt in the other room playing pool. Ford didn’t want to be so obvious, so he asked them to keep watch The guys are here tonight for you.” She leaned in as if telling a secret. “They think we don’t know they’re keeping an eye out for our safety.”
“Wait.” Tessa’s eyes widened. “They’re protecting me?”
“Of course,” said Naomi. “The Brotherhood takes its responsibility seriously. Until they feel you’re safe, someone will always be close by.”
Tessa glanced at the pool room. She took in a slow breath, relaxing slightly. “I guess it’s kinda nice knowing I’m not alone.”
“You’re never alone,” Felicia stated. “You have us. You have protection. You’re safe.”
The musicians had just started up again. Isabelle stood. “Come on, ladies. Let’s dance and have fun while the guys are doing their whole secret protector thing.”
“Absolutely,” said Joy.
The women giggled and danced for a couple of songs before coming back to the table and ordering drinks and appetizers.
“By the way,” Emelia continued. “Have you thought any more about the apartment? You know Titus’s gym is a block away, and he’s there all the time.”
“I’ve got to talk to Ford and see where we are,” said Tessa. “That sounds like a good start to getting my life back.”
“Plus,” said Isabelle, “you’re planning the shelter’s event, and I’m sure you’ll get business from that.”
Tessa leaned back in her chair, letting the chatter and laughter from her new friends cover her like a warm blanket. For a moment, the future looked almost rosy. If these women could overcome what they went through, she could too.
But until Damien was caught and the danger he posed was finally gone, the future remained a fragile dream.
For now, she would cling to the small sense of safety she had. It wasn’t much, but it was a beginning.