Chapter 4
CHAPTER
FOUR
Olivia
I feel like I’m strung tighter than a fishing line that has a large fish hooked right now. It’s hard not to keep watch over my shoulder for Jasper and his shady friends, but I know they’re hours away from where I’m currently at right now. There’s no possible way he’d know where to look for me.
Once we’re out of the area that Doc uses for his infirmary, I follow BamBam since I don’t know where we’re going.
He heads up a set of stairs and I’m right behind him, still a bit unsettled by the fact that I’m not bothered by the fact he’s carrying my son.
Ever since the night Theo was born, all of his care has been on my shoulders.
I mean, Jasper strutted around town boasting to anyone who’d listen that he had a son, but he’s never once changed, fed, rocked, or bathed him.
Not that I’m complaining about taking care of my boy.
He’s the reason I’m still around if I’m being completely truthful with myself.
If not for him, I would’ve either run a long time ago or taken myself out of the picture.
Don’t think about it, Livy, my mind whispers, shutting me off from the ugly memories that want to rise up and overwhelm me once again.
“Here we are, Livy,” BamBam says, opening a door and stepping aside so I can walk through only to stop in my tracks.
“Constance and Maria both have grandkids,” a woman who I suspect is Rio’s wife says as she finishes putting a sheet on the mattress for the crib that’s in the corner.
“So, there’s plenty of baby stuff around.
And since this big oaf didn’t do it, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Isla but you can call me Issy.”
Tears fill my eyes but don’t fall; Issy may be making light of a hand me down crib, but in truth, Theo slept in a large laundry basket that I had made into a bed for him, using a cushion that I had repurposed to make a mattress.
There’s even a mobile over it with bright, colorful toys gently moving to soft music.
“I’m Olivia or Livy,” I reply as BamBam settles Theo in the crib.
A knock on the door jamb has all of us turning only to see Mongrel and two other guys walk in with the bags of stuff that BamBam bought.
“I dropped the bottles and formula off with Maria,” Mongrel states.
“She said they had to be cleaned and sterilized or something like that, but I knew you had a couple of bottles in the backpack.”
“Thank you.” I feel like a broken record today. I’ve said that so many times already since BamBam found us on the side of the road.
“Not a problem,” he replies, setting the bags off to the side. “Constance said she was going to grab the clothes when she brought you something to eat so she could get them washed.”
“She doesn’t need to do that,” I protest.
“No, it’s okay,” Issy says while Mongrel nods.
He looks at BamBam and asks, “Gonna run into town to grab the prescriptions Doc said he sent in for her. Is there anything else I need to pick up?”
“Think we got it all, Mongrel,” BamBam replies, “If we think of anything else, we’ll send you a text.”
I’m so overwhelmed right now, I can feel myself trying to shut down, which isn’t a good thing considering everyone here is a stranger to me.
BamBam must sense I’m teetering on the edge of losing control because he says, “When Mongrel gets back with your medication, I’ll bring it up to you.
Right now, I think you need to take advantage of the fact that Theo is napping and take one yourself. ”
“I’d rather take a shower first,” I admit. While Doc cleaned me up, I’m in desperate need of some hot water and soap. I feel so grimy and disgusting it’s not even remotely funny at this point.
“Let me run down and get something to cover your cast,” Issy says. “I’m bringing up one of those big ice packs I have too because you’re going to want to get your arm elevated and I’ve found over the years that ice helps with the pain.” With that, she rushes out of the room leaving me with BamBam.
“Can you tell me who did this to you?” he asks, waving his hand up and down over my bruised and battered body.
“My boyfriend,” I whisper. “Well, he’s an ex now, obviously. But his name is Jasper. Jasper Price. Do you need anything else?” I ask.
I may not know about motorcycle clubs, but I figure he’s asking me so he can check into Jasper. A shudder courses through me when I think of the possibility that he might find me somehow.
“What’s your address?” he questions. I quickly rattle it off and watch as he sends a text, presumably with all the information I’ve just given him.
With nothing else to do until Mongrel returns with my pain meds and Issy comes back, I go through the bags and pull out clothes for myself.
I know they haven’t been washed yet, but there’s no way I’ll be able to take a shower then put the clothes I had on when I left.
They’re ripped, torn, and bloody in some spots from the injuries Jasper left behind.
Taking them into the bathroom, along with shampoo, conditioner, and soap, I return to the bedroom to see another woman with Issy.
“Hey, I’m Constance,” the older woman says as she sets a tray with a steaming bowl of soup or stew, I can’t tell from where I’m standing. “As soon as Doc gives me the go ahead, I’ll make sure to give you something with a little more sustenance.”
“I’m Livy,” I reply. “Thank you for this, all of this,” I tell her, waving my good hand around the room.
“I wasn’t sure how big your baby was, but my daughters-in-law both have little boys a bit older than he seems to be, so they’re bringing over more clothes.”
The kindness exuding from both women, combined with the events of the past day…
okay, the past two years if I’m being truthful…
hit me and I burst into tears. Constance, not missing a beat, engulfs me in her arms, uttering nonsensical murmurings while holding me close, just like my mom would’ve done.
Despite the pain that wracks my body, I don’t let go because the feeling of being comforted is more important in this moment.
Issy, who strikes me as an independent, strong woman, joins our small huddle and whispers, “You’re safe now, I promise. The Kings won’t let anything else happen to you.”
After Mongrel returned, the other two women left and I ate while BamBam fed Theo, who woke up from his nap.
Sighing, I realize I’ll have to wait a little longer to take a shower and want to cry again.
I’m so tired, both physically and mentally, that all I want to do is crawl into a bed that looks comfortable and inviting.
“Go ahead and take your shower, Pixie,” BamBam says. “I’ve got Theo. You need to get comfortable so you can get some pain meds in ya.”
My whole body aches, each contusion and mark I bear feeling as though it has its own pulse at this point, but it’s my left arm, which Doc had to set, that’s been steadily throbbing. I know so much of what’s to come remains unknown, but I decide to take things one step at a time.
The important thing is I’m no longer in danger of being beaten just for breathing.
I know the inherent fear I’ve lived with for so long won’t magically disappear with the snap of my fingers overnight, especially since I’ve had to be so vigilant that Jasper didn’t hurt Theo, but for right now, the man who’s shown me nothing but kindness is caring for my son, so I take him up on his offer and head into the bathroom.
Okay, shampooing and conditioning my hair with one arm in a plastic covered cast is a complete and utter pain in the ass. Thankfully, while it was horrifically painful, taking care of washing my body is a lot easier. Still, it takes me a lot longer than normal and I can feel my anxiety creeping in.
“Come on, Livy, you’re taking too long,” I whisper, my voice shaking as I dry myself. I have my hair up in a towel to handle once I’m dressed then feel tears well up when I realize there’s no way I can put a bra on in my current condition.
Great. Just great. Maybe BamBam won’t notice, especially since I’m a lot skinnier than I used to be.
With that in mind, I manage to get the pajama set on, then I brush out my hair and then my teeth.
A small smile graces my lips when I see that Mongrel also got me ‘girly’ stuff like moisturizer, which tells me that some of those siblings are undoubtedly females.
He even got some feminine hygiene items which suddenly has my heart almost thudding out of my chest.
“I didn’t tell Doc what happened,” I mumble, fear overwhelming me.
“Livy, you okay? Do you need help?” BamBam asks through the bathroom door.
I can’t tell him. I can’t tell anyone. But I need to tell Doc. No. I can’t tell him. I can’t tell anyone.
As the darkness looms, I must cry out or make a sound because suddenly, I’m cradled in strong, capable arms as I tremble with the implications. If any of them found out, they’d make me leave.
I’m broken.
I’m disgusting.
I’m nothing.
Nothing at all.