Chapter 8
Eight
IZZY
“ W hat does this shirt look like?” I ask Hitter, feeling along the rack in the clothing store before settling on a soft-feeling cotton shirt.
“It’s a teal fitted t-shirt, and the tag says it’s a medium. Here, this one is a small. It’s a V-neck, so it won’t show too much. It would look beautiful on you, Angel,” Hitter tells me, and I smile to myself. He took to helping me look for clothes like a champ. He’s a natural at this, making me feel comfortable, feel… normal.
“Do you mind getting me the teal, a white, and a black one of these?” I ask, moving back and letting him grab the right colors for me. Since we got here, I’ve been dreading this part, but there’s no more stalling for the last of the items I need.
“Uh, so I need shorts, pants, and…” I pause, feeling the heat rise and light up my face.
“And what, Angel?” he questions. I take a deep breath before answering.
“Intimates,” I whisper and feel him lean closer.
“I’m sorry, Angel, I didn’t get that one,” he says, but I hear the smile in his voice. The bastard heard me. I hold my head high before answering in a louder, stronger voice.
“I need bras and underwear. I also don’t know what size pants I wear,” I tell him and wait nervously. Not being able to see other people’s reactions is one of the most challenging things about my life. When he says nothing for a minute, I reach out, trying to feel for him. I panic until he grabs hold of my hand.
“Sorry, you just look so beautiful and confident. It’s sexy as hell; I got lost in… thoughts,” he says with his voice all raspy, but before I can ask what those thoughts were, even if I’m pretty sure I know, he continues, his voice holding an edge of concern now.
“Where did you just go? You blanched when you didn’t hear me before you reached out and grabbed me,” Hitter asks. I don’t want to tell him more about my past. He probably already sees me as pathetic and helpless, even if I want him to see me as so much more. Unfortunately, he waits me out, holding me against his chest until I answer.
“My family used to think it was funny to go on ‘family outings,’” I say, using my fingers as quotes.
“At first, I thought it was amazing that my family was finally starting to see me. They were including me, and I was so excited. Until I realized it was another one of their cruel games. They would purposely leave me wherever we were—just walk away and leave. I’d have to find my way home, which was terrifying. Normally, I could find a worker or security guard who would walk me to the bus stop, but sometimes it took hours. The bus is a whole other terrifying story,” I tell him, not wanting to go into too much detail since I’ve already said enough. I feel his body tense the more I speak, and by the end, I can feel his whole body vibrating and can hear him growling.
“Never again, Angel. If I ever fucking catch someone attempting to pull that shit, I’ll gut them. I’ll hang their body right in front of this fucking mall and light the bitch up for the whole town to see,” he says, brushing my cheek with his thumb. I feel him dip but don’t have enough time to register what’s happening before his lips touch mine in a soft kiss. I want to deepen it, but Hitter pulls back far too quickly.
“Come on, baby, let’s finish up here so we can head to the food court and get some dinner,” Hitter coaxes, intertwining our fingers as he grips my hand and guides me through the store.
“Okay, turn around, baby,” he whispers softly in my ear. I do as he says, but I'm not sure what’s going to happen. I feel his hands on my hips as he kneels behind me and squeezes. I turn my head that way, lifting a brow in his direction, and he chuckles. I'm unsure what he’s laughing about, but I feel the heat rushing up my neck and face again.
“I’m going to look at the tag on the back of your jeans, okay, Angel? That way, we can get a better idea of what size you need,” he tells me, still grabbing my hips. Shit, he’s going to be looking down the back of my ass. We just kissed for the first time, and now my ass is all up in his face. Damn it, why can’t I be wearing cute underwear? Ugh.
“Deep breath, Angel, I promise I don’t bite,” he says, and when I giggle, he adds, “Well, that might come later… but in the most mind-blowing fucking ways.”
That blush hits my cheeks again, and I barely realize he’s looking at the tag on the back of my jeans until I feel him standing and coming back to my front. As his thumb brushes my cheek, I try my best not to rub my thighs together. The ache has been there since I heard his voice, but it's getting harder and harder to ignore with him taking care of me and treating me like a queen.
“Later, baby. I’ll take care of everything later,” he promises, and I swear my whole body sags with relief and anticipation.
It’s been so long since I’ve gotten myself off. The one and only experience I’ve had ended up being a cruel joke my brother played on me. I’m ready to erase every bit of it with Hitter, and I know these feelings are mutual. He’s feeling this, too, and I know he’ll take care of me. Just like I know he’ll continue to keep me safe. Don’t ask me why I’m trusting him so quickly, especially with how much my family took advantage of my disability, but he’s different. He’s been proving to me he’s good and kind since the moment I met him. He’s my hero, my savior, and quickly becoming my everything.
“Hitter,” I whimper when he pulls back.
“Cason, Angel. When you moan my name, I want you moaning MY name, not my road name,” he whispers in my ear before giving me a soft kiss and pulling back.
“Fuck,” he grunts, and I hear a slight rustle in front of me that sounds like him rustling his jeans. I think he’s adjusting himself; with not having my sight, my hearing is immaculate. “Let’s get this done so we can get home, Angel.”
We finish getting my pants and shorts before heading to the counter to pay. I pull out what little money I have and look to Hitter; I mean Cason. I love his name. It fits him.
“Can you get the right bills for me?” I ask him, but he places his hand over mine and squeezes.
“I’ve got this, Angel,” he says. I open my mouth to tell him I can buy it myself, but I hear a voice behind me.
“Honey, if that fine-ass man wants to spoil you a bit, let him. Few women get that kind of attention,” a lady says from behind me. I blush, dipping my head as I hear Hitter chuckle softly. He puts his finger under my chin, lifting my head.
“What did I say about hiding?” he asks, grabbing my waist and pinching my ass as he pulls me tighter against him. Holy shit, I might have just come. This underwear is definitely ruined. It seems with Cason around, I’m going to need to buy a lot more to keep on hand. I lean into him as he finishes paying before leading me out of the store.
“There is a Victoria’s Secret right next door. Let’s go in there,” he says, leading the way. I nod, leaning on him and loving the feeling of him being this close.
“Angel, do you trust me?” Cason asks, stopping as soon as we step into the new shop.
“Yes,” I tell him instantly, without hesitation.
“Let me take care of this one for you,” he says, and I smile, nodding. I tell him my panty and bra size, knowing these since I like to buy these types of things online. This reminds me I don’t have my laptop anymore, which makes me want to cry. It had software to help guide me through everything.
“What’s with the frown, baby? You can take over this if you want. I just see a few items that would be fucking delectable covering your ass and tits,” Cason tells me, and it makes me smile.
“No, you can take over here. I was just thinking, I don’t have my computer anymore. I left it in the house,” I explain, and he squeezes my hand.
“I’ll get you another one, Angel,” he promises, which makes me smile.
“Mine was special, Cason. It had screen reading software and a lot of other cool things I don’t really understand. All I know is my laptop was all set up when I bought it, and with that, I actually didn’t feel like someone with a disability,” I tell him honestly.
“I’m sorry, Angel,” he says, and I smile up at him again.
“It’s fine, really. I’d much rather be out of that hellhole, computer or not.” I don’t tell him I spent every dime I could save to afford that computer and software. I guess I’ll have to find something to help earn money and buy another one.
Cason finishes buying what undergarments he wants, taking his time and asking me how I like the feel of this and that. He even buys me some amazing-smelling perfume and lotion before we head out of the store. We have been at this for a few hours, and we’re starving, so we head over to the food court, get our food, and quickly find a table. We are enjoying our meal and getting to know each other better when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
“Isabella, is that you?” Ben, one of Hector’s old friends, asks from behind me. I blanch and try moving out of his reach, but he holds my shoulder tightly.
“Remove your fucking hand or lose it,” Cason growls from beside me.
“Holy shit, it is you, Izzy. Where have you been, and who the fuck is this guy?” Ben asks.
“I’m her man, and I won’t tell you again. Remove your fucking hand. Now,” Cason tells him, and I hear his chair groan and screech as he stands.
“We’re old friends, so relax. Izzy didn’t tell me she was seeing someone, but if you’re just helping her out, I can take it from here. Izzy can come stay with me since no one has seen her brother,” Ben says, and I can hear the glee in his voice at the thought of him getting me alone.
He had been especially cruel to me. He got off on the torture I endured. At one point, he had me cornered in the kitchen at home and was groping me. He told me all the vile things he wanted to do to me and my body, and I couldn’t hold it in. I threw up all over him. He slapped me across the face, making me fall, and hit my head on the counter. Then he laughed when I stumbled out on hands and knees. I have no doubt if he got me alone, he would kill me, and that would be the most merciful thing he would do to me. I can hear the evil in his voice.
I barely hear Cason move, but I feel Ben’s hand leave my shoulder. I then hear a couple pops and crunches before Ben screams, crying out in pain.
“You broke my fucking wrist!” Ben screams, and from the sounds of it, he’s on the floor.
“You can’t feel it now, but I broke most of the bones in your hand as well. You won’t even be able to jerk off that tiny pecker of yours with that hand anytime soon,” Cason tells him before I sense him leaning down. “I told you not to fucking touch her. Now is your only chance. Get your fucking ass up and scurry out of here before I decide one hand isn’t enough. If you ever even think her name again, I’ll fucking kill you. I’ll put you in the same fucking hole we dug for Hector.”
I should be sad at that news, but I’m not, and a grin crosses my face. Cason told me a few days ago they were keeping my brother tied up in the clubhouse until Piper, Devin, and Swift got there to take care of him. He asked me if I wanted to see him one more time before they took care of him for good. I told him I needed to think about it, but knew I’d eventually have to confront him. I need the closure and reassurance of being safe with him gone.
With all these thoughts running through my head, I realize I’ve started breathing heavily and rocking back and forth. I get lost in remembering all the threats and treatment I endured at the hands of my brother and Ben. I feel a hand grab my arm and jump, letting out a small scream before I’m pulled into a lap. Instantly, I realize it’s Cason’s lap. His mahogany, rustic smell settles over me, and I know I’m safe.
“Want to tell me who that fucker was?” he asks, and I don’t want to relive all of it, so I try to tell him quickly, the short version. If I give him details, I know he’ll hunt Ben down and make good on his promise to kill him. I know the world would be a better place without that sick monster in it, but I wouldn’t want Cason to go to jail because of me. He’s become too important. I can’t lose him.
“Ben was a friend of my brothers. He tortured me, in some ways worse than my brother.” I feel Cason stiffen again.
“I should go after the fucker,” Cason growls, and just as I knew he would, he starts to stand.
“Can you take me back to the compound? Please, Cason, I’m tired and just want to lie down with you.” He doesn’t answer, but I hope my suggestion distracts him.
Cason grabs our bags, lifts me in his arms, and walks out, not stopping until he’s settling me in the front seat of his truck. Being engulfed by the smell and feel of him as he pulls me to the middle seat helps calm my racing nerves since seeing Ben. Cason keeps his arm around my shoulder with his hand close to my neck, slowly running soft circles with his thumb across my skin. The sensation he’s causing finally has me relaxing. I don’t notice falling asleep until I feel him lifting me out of the truck. He walks into the compound with me in his arms and lays me on his bed. He hasn’t let go of me since dealing with Ben. It’s almost as if he gets the same calming feeling I do when there’s contact between us, and he doesn’t want to sever our connection.
“Get some rest, my love. I’ll be here when you wake,” he tells me, kissing my forehead and wrapping me in his arms. Content, my mind blanks, and I instantly fall asleep again, surrounded by him.