Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
brOKEN
MINDY
I had a fitful sleep, tossing and turning as if I were caught in a tornado. My body was so sore that I felt like I’d been hit by a semi-truck. In this last year, I’ve been hurt in multiple ways. However, it’s never been this bad. It was definitely a wake-up call.
Although I initially didn’t want to call my parents, I’m going to have to suck it up and contact them. I don’t want them to be blindsided if Ross decides to take his wrath out on them to punish me. I’m going to have to put my big girl panties on and get my life together.
A year living like this is enough. I have no doubt that Ross will kill me if I don’t leave.
I once thought pacifying him would keep his anger at bay, but I was so obviously mistaken.
I’ve endured enough, and although I thought just last night that I’d be trapped until he killed me, I can’t let that happen.
Fuck that till death do us part bullshit… I refuse to go out like that.
I fucking refuse!
I sit up in bed and stretch my sore muscles.
I’m glad Luca’s bed is so lush because it really helped me relax more than I normally would have.
But I still don’t know what his motivation for helping me is.
Like… why would he just put himself in harm’s way for a complete stranger?
Although Luca has been a complete gentleman and has helped me more than anyone, things just aren’t adding up.
If there’s anything that I’ve learned, it’s that nobody wants something for nothing. Luca is being nice now, but I can’t help but wait for the other shoe to drop. I appreciate his help more than I could ever say, but I can’t rely on him.
My belly is flipping as I wait for someone to pick up. I’m glad that I know my parents’ number by heart. It helps that they’ve had it since I was young. If it’s one thing my parents have, it’s consistency.
“Hello?” My Mama answers in her southern accent.
“Hey, Mama. It’s Mindy.” I’m glad my voice doesn’t betray my pain.
“Hey, baby! I didn’t recognize the number,” she cheerfully greets.
“Yeah, I lost my phone and had to use a friend’s.”
“Oh. Well, why didn’t you use Ross’s phone?”
Leave it to my mother to get straight to the point. I want to be like her and not sugarcoat anything, but dropping the facade is going to be hard for me. I don’t want my parents to think they did anything wrong.
“Ross is out,” I answer, hoping that she doesn’t have any more questions.
“Out? This early in the morning? Hmmph.”
I squeeze my eyes shut because I didn’t even think about the time. Last night felt never-ending. I didn’t even think to check the time.
“Well, you know how—”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you I won a little something at the casino. Me and ya daddy are gonna go out to California to visit your Auntie.”
I instantly feel relief. Now, I don’t have to worry about my parents’ safety because they’ll be gone.
For Ross, it’s out of sight, out of mind.
When my Mama or daddy doesn’t answer their phone, he won’t bother with trying to find them.
And I thank God that I never gave him my daddy’s cell phone number.
Hell, I don’t think my daddy knows how to answer it anyway.
My Mama isn’t any better, she refuses to get one because daddy has one.
She says they’re together all the time, so it’d be a waste of money.
“Ohkay big money! Y’all ain’t movin’ to a mansion, are you?” I joke, trying to keep the subject light.
“Now, you know we ain’t leavin’ our baby daughter here. We’ll be back in about three weeks. Ya daddy don’t wanna be gone for too long.”
Another wave of relief washes over me. I’ll have at least three weeks to get my shit together without having to worry about my parents being used or hurt by Ross. Now, I just need to find a place to stay for the time being, so I can really cut ties with my husband for good.
“Okay, Mama. I didn’t want nothin’. Just checkin’ in. I love you and I’ll talk to ya later.”
“Alright, baby. Love you too.”
Once I hang up the phone, I feel a little better. Not having to worry about my parents is a plus. When I tell them what’s going on, I’ll be far away from Ross and his shit. It will make it easier for them to know everything when I’ve already escaped the abuse.
It takes a massive amount of energy to leave Luca’s bed. It’s not just the comfort of the bed, but it smells like him. The fragrance is spicy with a hint of sweetness. I will always associate his smell with safety.
I make my way into the bathroom, and a big part of me is afraid to look in the mirror. But it’s a reality I have to face. The reflection looking back at me makes me sad.
“Who is that woman? Lord have mercy, Mindy.”
“Good morning.”
“Fuck!”I shout, turning toward the door where Luca is standing with a bewildered expression. “You scared the shit outta me.” I place my hand over my rapidly beating heart.
“Sorry. I heard your voice in here when I came to check on you, so I came in here… to check on you,” Luca says, smiling.
I can’t help but giggle a little. I guess I should’ve expected the owner of the house I’m invading to be in his bedroom.
But I’ve never experienced a person who moves so quietly.
I noticed last night how Luca has this quiet calm about him.
His watchfulness, as much as his actions, makes me curious about him.
Who is Luca Dalonzo?
“Thanks for checking on me. I’m okay, I guess.” I shrug, trying to hide my grimace at the movement.
I turn away and face the mirror again, but our eyes lock in the reflection.
The downward turn of his soft looking lips tells me I didn’t do a good job at hiding my pain.
I’m instantly filled with regret. I hate to be so vulnerable, especially since I’ve been telling myself that I’m strong enough to endure anything. I don’t want to be weak.
“There are fresh clothes on the bed, nothing fancy. But I wanted you to be comfortable. Even though you look amazing in my shirt,” Luca absently mumbles the last part.
I’m not sure if he meant to say that out loud, but his words shock me. Luca hasn’t made any sexual advances towards me, but maybe that’s his angle. Is he a creep? I don’t get creep vibes from him, but there’s no way that he’s attracted to me looking like this.
What man in their right mind would be attracted to a woman they found getting beat up in a club restroom? Maybe he has some kind of kink?
My guard goes up instantly. I refuse to make the same mistake twice. My body hasn’t even started to heal from the trauma I just suffered. There’s no way I can let another man get close enough to hurt me again.
“Thank you. If you give me a minute, I’ll clean up and get out of your hair.”
Although I expect some pushback like last night, Luca simply nods and quietly leaves the bathroom.
I exhale a deep breath, but it’s not from relief.
I’m not sure why the thought of Luca using me for something nefarious makes me feel guilty, but the emotions bubbling within me assure me that I’m not thinking clearly.
“I must have nightingale syndrome.”
After dressing in a comfortable jogging suit and slides, I had an idea of what I was going to do. After Luca lets me use his tablet, I sent my cousin a message on social media. Even though we don’t see each other as often as I would like, thank goodness she responded immediately.
Karlie isn’t nosy and she keeps her business to herself, so I know I can trust her. Although I’m a private person, she deserves to know what’s going on with me because she’s letting me stay with her. I’m grateful to have someone besides Talia to stay with.
Ross would definitely find me at Talia’s if I went there.
That is, if he’s even looking for me. But I think I know Ross well enough that I can easily say that he wants to find me.
I left without his permission, he will be searching high and low for me.
He’ll never look for Karlie, though, because I was smart enough to keep our contact to myself.
I should’ve recognized the signs of isolation when he would complain about all my friends and family. I wanted to be a good wife, so I spent less and less time with them. I didn’t want to argue or fight, so I slowly distanced myself from my loved ones until all I had left was Ross.
It may sound stupid, and I never thought I could be in a domestic violence situation. I can admit that I was judgmental. Now, here I am. Boy, God will humble you.
“Would you like something to eat before you go?” Luca asks, coming into the family room where I’ve been waiting.
I’m not sure where he’s been since this morning, but he’s dressed like he has to go to court or something. Here I am in a jogging suit, and he’s wearing freshly pressed slacks, shiny shoes, and freaking suspenders. Who in the hell wears suspenders on a Saturday?
“No, thank you. I don’t have much of an appetite,” I respond with a shaky smile.
“Hmmm. Understandable. You’ve been through a lot. I do wish you’d eat, though. How about you take a muffin to go? I also have bagels fresh from the bakery down the street,” he says.
Luca’s gray eyes are bright with hope, so I couldn’t possibly turn him down. Even if I’m not a big bread-eater, I’m going to take a muffin just because he made the effort. This man has gone out of his way to help me, and even though my walls are up, I refuse to be rude.
“Sure, thanks again, Luca. Your kindness is…” I’m at a loss for words.
I’m not sure of his reasons for helping me, but he did. For that, I am thankful. I wish I wasn’t so jaded, but it is what it is. He’s helped, and now I need to help myself.
“Here’s my card. One of my men will take you wherever you need to go.”
“One of your men?” I question.
That’s a weird phrase.
“Uhh. Yeah. I’m President of the firm, I have a lot of employees,” Luca answered.
I nod, “Oh, okay. That makes sense. I appreciate it.” I inspect the fancy business card.
“Please use it. No matter what you need, I’ll be there.”
Luca’s words are so sincere that they leave me speechless.
Outside of my family, no one has ever been so forthcoming with their help.
It makes me rethink his reasons. But I can’t dwell on Luca right now.
Karlie said I could stay as long as I needed, but I plan on getting on my feet as soon as possible.
“Is it okay if I hug you?” I ask.
Luca’s face lights up, and he walks towards me with his arms open. I smile and wrap my arms around his torso. His arms tighten around me, and that strange feeling of safety engulfs me. I can’t help myself when I breathe in his spicy yet sweet scent.
When I go to back up, Luca slightly tightens his arms. Instead of fighting the feeling, I hold him tighter, too.
I didn’t realize just how muscular and tall Luca was until this moment.
I can feel his abs and rock hard chest. A girl could get used to feeling protected by such a strong man. But I guess that isn’t meant for me.
Instead of luxuriating in Luca’s powerful embrace, I let him go. I regret not waiting for a man who would protect me. I regret falling for a snake. I regret a lot of things. But in this moment, I will learn from my mistakes and forget about my regrets.
“Be well, Mindy,” Luca’s deep rumble reverberates around the room.
“Same to you, Luca.”
I quickly turn away from him and make my way to the door. There’s a tall man with dark hair and eyes waiting in the hall. After he introduces himself, we head to the garage. This whole night has been a whirlwind of foolishness. But at least I made it out alive.
It isn’t long before we’re pulling up to my cousin Karlie’s place. Her two-story townhouse is a beacon of hope for me, and my heart leaps in joy that I don’t have to go back to my house of horrors. I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Not a problem, Ms. Stewart,” the driver says with a nod.
I don’t remember telling Luca my last name, but I guess I did.
I have to admit that I’ve been on a rollercoaster, so there’s no telling what I told the man.
Maybe Dr. Walters told him. After all, I did have to give the doctor almost my full medical history, so he could put in a prescription for my headache.
I told him that I could just get some over the counter drug, but he insisted that Luca wouldn’t like that.
I made my way to the front door, and although I was eager to be here, I was not enthusiastic about having to explain my bruised face. My battered outside would eventually heal, but I know it will take years to trust a man again. I’m just glad that I can always count on my family.
Once I knock, I hear movement and an enthusiastic squeal. I smile at my crazy cousin’s excitement. Karlie is three years older than me, but we grew up super close. I’m glad her job moved her here last year. It gave us a chance to somewhat reconnect through social media.
“Heeeey! It’s my favorite—” Karlie’s words die off as she looks at my face.
I want to hang my head in shame. I want to regret coming here, but I meant what I said.
No more regrets.
“I had nowhere else to go,” I choke out.
The tears finally come without my permission. I’ve held it together throughout the night. I never cried in front of Luca, the doctor, or in the shower by myself. But the look on my cousin’s face breaks me all the way down.
I can finally admit it… I am broken.