2. Brooklyn
CHAPTER 2
brOOKLYN
My fingers tightened around the handle of my mug as Levi approached. Too bad I wasn’t close enough to the front of the Merc to hear what he and Ruby had said to each other. I could imagine it, though. Ruby probably told him all about how I’d shown up at the women’s shelter and bawled like a baby when they said they didn’t have room. It had taken every ounce of willpower and strength I had to make it that far. I didn’t have anything left.
Every step brought him closer. Every step made my heart beat faster and louder until I felt like I was going to pass out. He glanced my way, then shifted his gaze to a spot on the floor.
“You okay?” His voice sounded cold, like standing next to me was the very last place on earth he’d like to be. I could appreciate how he felt. I’d asked Ruby not to call him, but she’d done it anyway.
I took in a deep breath and willed my pulse to settle. “I’ll be fine.”
“What happened?” He slid onto the stool next to me, his gaze tracking Ruby as she filled a mug with coffee and set it down in front of him.
“Can we talk about it later?” I didn’t want to get into it. Not with half a dozen people occupying the stools around us. I’d always been a private person, preferring to keep to myself, especially when things weren’t going my way. And lately, things definitely hadn’t been going my way. Not since I’d agreed to follow Kyle to Mustang Mountain, and we’d moved in together. That’s when he’d changed.
Levi took a sip of coffee before finally turning to face me. His brows knit together, and his blue eyes turned to ice as his gaze swept over my cheek. “Did he do that to you?”
My skin warmed as his fingertips grazed over my cheekbone. I’d iced it right after Kyle hit me, but it hadn’t seemed to help. Not even the thick layer of makeup I’d carefully applied could hide the deepening shades of blue and purple.
Levi pulled his hand back like touching me had burned him. “I’m going to fucking bury him for that.”
“Can we go?” I didn’t care where, I just needed to get away from the prying eyes of strangers. In a town as small as Mustang Mountain, word had probably already made its way through the gossip mill. I hated being the center of attention, especially in a situation like this. That’s why I hadn’t tried to leave before. I couldn’t stand thinking about the way people would look at me. Like I was needy and weak. Exactly like Levi was looking at me now.
“Yeah. Do you have any stuff?”
“Just this.” I hadn’t had time to pack my things, not that anything at Kyle’s place truly belonged to me. Ruby had filled a bag with a few essentials like a toothbrush and deodorant. I picked it up along with my purse. At least my brain had been working well enough to remember to grab that on my way out.
Levi nodded, tossed a couple of bucks on the bar, then got up and helped himself to two paper cups with lids. He poured our coffees into the to-go cups and handed mine over. I pulled the hood of my jacket up around my face and ducked my head as I wound my way through the Merc.
We’d almost made it to the door when Ruby called out from her spot behind the counter. “Thank you, Levi. I’ll give you a call in the next day or two to check in.”
I should have said thank you, but I was afraid if I opened my mouth, I’d start crying and never be able to stop. So, I lifted a hand as I passed in a feeble attempt to thank Ruby for everything she’d done for me. Her eyes softened around the edges like she understood and offered a gentle smile.
“Let me get the door.” Levi stepped ahead of me and held it open as I passed by, trying not to touch him.
Stepping out onto the sidewalk in front of the Merc, I drew in a breath of cold, crisp mountain air. My lungs burned and the back of my throat prickled as I fought back the growing threat of tears. This wasn’t where I thought I’d be at this point in my life. No job. Nowhere to live. No idea what to do next.
“I’m parked over here.” Levi waited for me to catch up before starting down the street. “Are you hungry?”
I shook my head, trying to find the words to explain how I’d ended up in such an uncomfortable situation. Honestly, I had no idea. It’s not like I set out with the goal of tying my fate to an abusive, controlling asshole. Somewhere along the line I’d lost sight of myself and what really mattered. The burning shame in my chest hurt a hundred times more than the bruise on my cheek.
“Need anything before we head back to my place?”
“No.” My voice came out in a whisper. His place was a last resort, and I hated having to ask him for help. Hated having to rely on anyone, but especially Kyle’s brother. For a split second, I wondered if Levi and his brother had more in common than just a last name. My breath stalled at the thought I might have traded one miserable situation for another.
I was being ridiculous. Even though we hadn’t interacted much, Levi had never shown me anything but kindness. And Ruby had watched him grow up in Mustang Mountain. She said she’d always known Kyle had a mean streak, but Levi was as soft-hearted as they came.
“We’re right here.” He stopped next to the passenger-side door of a big silver truck. “I can put your bag in the back if you want.”
“Sure.” I reached for the handle, but Levi pulled it open first. My hand shook as I stepped on the running board and hoisted myself into the cab.
Levi waited until I’d buckled my seatbelt, then closed the door and walked around to the other side. I tried to steady my pulse. Ruby trusted him, and she seemed like a good judge of character. Every time I’d been around him, he’d always appeared to be steady and in control. And it wasn’t like I had a ton of options, at least not until I got my feet back under me.
As he started the truck, the radio turned on. Patty Loveless’s “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” played through the speakers. Levi reached out to turn it down, but I put my hand on his arm to stop him. I hadn’t heard that song in forever, not since I used to sit at the table and do my homework while my mama danced around the kitchen and made dinner. My heart ached at all the loss I’d experienced in my life, especially losing my mom.
She wouldn’t have liked Kyle. Would have been able to see right through the mask he wore. A shiver rolled through me. I’d seen through the public persona, I’d just chosen to ignore the warning signals. He’d been the first man to really pay me any attention since I’d lost her. It had felt so good, I’d silenced the apprehension in my gut.
“You okay, Brooklyn?” Levi let his arm fall and shifted to face me. “I’m not going to lie, I’m a little out of my comfort zone here.”
“I will be.” Nodding, I tried to infuse my tone with a confidence I didn’t feel. “I just need a day or two to figure some things out. I’m sorry you’re getting stuck with me. If I had anywhere else to go, I swear I would.”
“It’s not a problem.” He studied me, his brows knit together, like he wanted to ask something else.
I bit down on my lip and forced myself to hold his gaze. Kyle might have ripped the rug out from under me, knocked the wind out of my sails, and landed me at ground zero, but I wasn’t giving up.
“What?” I finally asked.
Levi shook his head. “Now’s not the time, but when you’re ready, I want to know what happened with my brother and if he really is the piece of shit I’m starting to think he is.”
I offered a tiny nod of agreement. I’d never been a fan of airing my dirty laundry, but if sharing a little bit of my experience was the price I needed to pay for a safe place to land for a couple of days, so be it.
We didn’t talk the rest of the way to his place. I stared out the window, wondering how I’d let myself sink so low. By the time Levi stopped in front of a rustic-looking cabin with a wraparound front porch, I’d decided I was done wallowing. Kyle had been a mistake—one that had cost me way too much—and it was time to find that strength way deep down inside that my mom had always told me I possessed.
“It’s not much, but I hope you’ll make yourself at home.” Levi got out and grabbed my bag from the back while I stared at the cabin through the front windshield.
By the time I went to open my door, he’d arrived first and held out his hand to help me down.
“Thank you.” I dropped his hand as soon as my foot touched the ground. Even at my weakest, I vowed I’d never let myself rely on another man. As soon as I could, I’d find a job and save up enough to get out of Mustang Mountain for good.
A huge gray and white dog raced out from behind the garage and headed straight toward us. I’d been around dogs, but never one so big. I braced myself for impact since he didn’t look like he was going to slow down.
“Gus, cut it out.” Levi stepped in front of me, and the dog stopped next to his side. “I hope you’re okay with a dog?”
The huge animal wagged his tail, making his whole body shake. I cautiously held out my hand for him to sniff, hoping he wouldn’t take off a finger. “He’s so big. Is he friendly?”
“Yeah. He’s just excited since I never have anyone over.” Levi held tight to Gus’s collar while the dog sniffed every part of me he could reach.
Movement at the corner of the house caught my eye. I glanced up. If I thought Gus was big, then the dog eyeing me from fifty yards away was a monster. Levi followed my line of sight.
“That’s just Hades. He looks fierce, but he’s pretty tame. Come here, boy.” Levi patted his thigh, and the animal trotted over.
“Is that a dog?” I tensed, not sure if I should stand my ground or run.
“Hades is a wolf. Gus is actually one of his pups, part sled dog and part wolf. The two of them get together as often as they can to wrestle. Works for me since it tires Gus out.” Levi let go of the collar, and both Hades and Gus rubbed their noses against my belly.
I reached out and ran my hand over the wolf’s back. He was softer than I expected and more friendly than a wild wolf should be, even if he was used to people.
“Gus has got a whole set-up in the garage. If you don’t want him in the house, he can stay out there.”
“Doesn’t he get cold?” I shifted my attention to Gus. His giant tongue swept over my hand.
“It’s heated. He has his own dog door and can come and go whenever he wants. Makes it easier if I’m gone for a long time during the day or end up not coming home overnight.”
I glanced up at him and wondered how often he stayed out all night. Kyle always said his younger brother got around, and if their mom ever wanted to plan a wedding, it would be up to the two of us. I’d been so stupid to think we could have a future together.
“I don’t mind the dog at all.” It might take me a little while to get used to having such a big dog around, but this was his home, and I was the outsider.
“Let me know if he starts to get to you. He can be a big attention hog,” Levi said.
Gus nudged his nose into my belly like he wanted more love. Apparently, he wasn’t too shy to ask for exactly what he needed. No beating around the bush with him. After spending the past few years on pins and needles around Kyle, it was kind of refreshing.
Hades bounded off into the woods when we entered the cabin. As Gus trailed behind us, Levi gave me a quick tour and showed me the spare bedroom where I’d be staying. Unfortunately, it was right next to his, but I wouldn’t be there long. The bedroom sat at the back of the house and looked out over the valley below. His place seemed comfortable enough but was missing the personal touches that made a house a home. It looked like somewhere he stayed from time to time, not somewhere he enjoyed being. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t planning on sticking around long.
“Can I get you anything else?” he asked after he’d set a fresh set of sheets on the double bed. He arched a brow, and I let my gaze linger just long enough to get a good look at him. His blondish hair was too long, and a thick layer of scruff covered his cheeks. On someone else, it might have looked too rough, but Levi totally made it work. He was taller than his brother with broader shoulders and a lot more muscle thanks to working in construction. He cleared his throat, making me realize I’d been staring.
“Actually, can I borrow your phone for a few minutes?” Kyle had kept mine, another way of exerting his control over me.
“You don’t have a phone?” His blue eyes narrowed even as he handed it over.
“Not yet.” It was on the growing list of things I needed to get as soon as I could. I turned toward the bedroom he’d said was mine. “Do you mind if I make a quick call?”
“Go ahead. I’m going to jump in the shower so take all the time you need.”
“Thanks.” I slipped into the bedroom and tried not to think about there being a naked man under the same roof. The cheap flip lock on the doorknob wouldn’t prevent a guy like Levi from getting into the bedroom if he wanted to, but it made me feel a tiny bit more secure.
I pulled up my bank’s website in a private browser and logged into my account. Kyle didn’t know that I had a savings account in addition to the checking account I’d combined with his when we moved in together. The tight band around my chest let up when the info popped up on the screen and showed the balance had been untouched. I only had a couple thousand dollars, not nearly enough to move across the country, but it was a start.