7 Care For You
Lisa's P.O.V.
**Song Suggestion: Don't Give Up On Me by Amber Leigh Irish**
Davis' question caught me off guard. I didn't think he saw me in this way. That he had found me attractive or wanted anything more to do with me. I thought he had found me too weak, maybe even irresponsible. Yet here he stood, offering to keep me safe. Words I never knew I needed to hear before.
Safe.
But how could he? This isn't something that could be fought with physical strength. My happiness meant the undoing of Lucas' new life. I couldn't put myself before him again. He was my little brother, yet he protected me from our father all my life. Now it was my turn. I was the older sister. I should have been protecting him all this time.
I knew what was happening, letting it occur because I was too scared to take a beating alongside him. I would never forgive myself for it. This was my penance, and I would happily accept it.
"You can't," I whispered, wishing my words were untrue.
I would love nothing more than to accept this Viking of a man before me. To let his muscular arms wrap around me and fight away my darkness. Sadly, it could never be, at least not at the price of Lucas' happiness. Not just his happiness, but Olive's and sweet Abi's as well.
"Of course I can, Lisa. Let me prove it to you."
His words sounded so convincing, so determined. He clearly wanted to fight for me, but there was no way he could fight this. No way for him to beat this out of Dad. Dad was cruel and relentless, and God, does he hold a grudge like no other.
"You don't understand."
I shook my head, pushing against his chest. I know I wasn't pushing hard, but he took a step back, respecting my wishes. His eyes were soft as they looked at me as if I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. I had never been looked at this way, with such gentleness. It melted me to my core, opening a wound in my heart I didn't know I had. One that bled to feel this way.
"Then help me understand, Lisa. Please," he whispered in a begging tone.
"It's my dad. He's.." I sighed, trying to find the right words.
Could I really bear all my troubles with him? Was it okay to tell him?
"What's he done?" Davis' jaw clenched with anger. I saw that same angry storm brewing in him as before. None of it directed towards me.
"It's hard to explain, but there's no getting out of it. I have to marry the man that did this to me. It's the only way to keep Lucas and Liv safe."
I couldn't look him in the eyes as I admitted the truth. His hands fisted at his side, and before I knew it, they were through the wall. He was deliriously furious, but again, I was not scared. I knew his fists would never, not ever, hurt me.
He would never hurt me.
"I'll find a way, Lisa, I promise. I'll get you out of this."
"You can't."
His eyes met mine again, a desperation in them. His features softened as he closed the distance between us again, loving the feel of his warmth against my bare skin. His hand held the back of my neck tenderly. He was gentle with me, despite his strength.
"I won't let you keep getting hurt like this, Lisa. Tell me everything about your Dad. Tell me what's going on. Let me help you, please," he begged as he held my gaze lovingly. There was such care in them…care for me.
I nodded my head, deciding to load this off my chest. I had no best friend for me to tell this to. Olive was the closest thing I have to that, and I obviously couldn't tell her about this. I couldn't tell Lucas either, or Leo, because he would just tell Lucas, anyway. Rachel was out of the question, and mom? Mom would flip the fuck out and be no help at all.
I told him about Dad's threats and the deal I had made. I told him about how Dad has cops, lawyers, and judges in his pocket. He could call any of them to get what he needs, or wants done, in an instant. There was no getting by it. To bring Dad down, you'd have to bring them all down. No matter how strong Davis was, he couldn't save me from this.
Davis looked conflicted as I spoke. He had helped me get dressed, applying ointment to my bruise to ease the pain. I spoke the entire time with him attentively, listening, and when I finished, he just stared at me for a long while. There was utter silence as he swallowed down everything I had just said. The gym was closed now, but it was one Davis owned, so it really didn't matter. It just meant no one would bother us.
"Lisa, this is insane. Surely your brother isn't letting you do this. He can handle himself, and so can Liv. They will fight back with their own money and friends," he tried to persuade me.
"I haven't told him about this. He doesn't need to know, neither of them does. You better not fucking tell them, either." I eyed him as threateningly as I could. "Promise me you won't."
"Lisa, you should really tell him. He-"
"Davis, promise me," I cut him off.
"Lisa." He sighed, staring at me sadly. "Okay, I promise I won't tell him."
"Thank you."
"But promise me something, too."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Let me take care of you. Any time you're not with him, spend it with me. Let me wash away your pain and show you how to defend yourself more. Promise me you'll fight him off when he's being physical."
"You'll have me? Even though I have to marry him?" I asked him, confused by the prospect. Was he hoping I would somehow get out of this?
"I'll have you any way I can take you, if you're willing to let me."
I stared at him for the longest time, unsure of what to do. I wanted Davis. God, did I want Davis, but I couldn't do this to him. I couldn't have an affair with him. He deserves happiness, not a complicated mess like me.
"Lisa, please. I haven't felt this way in so long. Let me take care of you." He leaned into me, pressing himself against me.
There was a call deep inside me for him. It felt like his presence alone was pulling at my heart. His body drove me mad with lust and love. If I could call it that. All I knew was that I wanted him, all of him…every piece of him.
"Don't resent me, Davis."
"Never," he whispered.
His lips were mere inches from my own, so I leaned forward, allowing those strong lips of his to take me again. I'd never been kissed with such care as I was when he did it. I don't know how he did it, but he made kissing feel like more. It felt like pure happiness, like true love and devotion. He somehow conveyed a message to me with only his kiss.
You would be safe with me.
He didn't say the words, but I felt them. I felt them through his kiss, through his hands on my side. I felt it in the way he held me tightly against him, and the way his eyes stared at me tenderly when he pulled away. Our kiss was broken, but the message was clear. I wanted to give him all of me, and take all of him. I would be happy with this, if he would.
"Take care of me." I pressed my forehead against his, linking my fingers behind his neck. "In every way," I added, hoping he understood what I meant.
"Not here, not like this. When I take care of you in that way, Lisa, it'll be magical. You deserve more than a locker room fuck. I'll show you."
I had never felt so turned on by a promise of pleasure as I had now. His voice alone made me quiver with want as he spoke those words.
I couldn't wait to see what he had planned for me…for us.
"Where's auntie?" I asked Abi as I hid behind her small blanket. "Here I am!" I popped out with a smile.
Her little happy squeals were music to my ears, reminding me why I was doing what I was doing.
For her. For him. For them.
There was no way in hell I would let Dad hurt them…any of them. I would marry Chris and I would endure his abusive ways until I could defend myself. I promised Davis my time away from Chris, and I planned to keep that promise.
Chris and I were to see each other this afternoon. He tried to get me to come to his place, but a public setting was best for now. Seeing how violent he got last time, I knew I needed to keep him away from any closed doors.
I convinced him to go to a car show with me. He seemed to be a car enthusiast, but I was certain that for him it was more for show than an actual passion. He seemed the type to talk out of his ass when he didn’t know shit. Still, it was what saved me from meeting him at his home. I sighed, realizing it was time for me to go already.
"I better go. Don't want to be late for my date," I told Lucas.
Liv was at work as usual on a Monday afternoon. Liv worked hard, but man, did she love it. I had seen the smile she sported when she would get home from work. She would immediately tell Lucas anything and everything she could tell him. She loved her job, and she was damn good at it. I was happy to see her being so successful while raising a child with Lucas.
Lucas had turned out to be an amazing father. I figured he would be by the way he had always protected everyone. He met others’ needs before his own. Abi was well taken care of when Lucas was around. He took her from me, kissing her little forehead.
"When am I going to meet this Chris that has been stealing you away so much?" He asked me with an arched brow.
"I am not sure. Sometime soon, perhaps?"
I honestly didn't want Chris around any of them now that I knew what he was really like. I definitely wouldn’t let him near Abi again. He fooled me a little too well on our shopping trip with her.
"Alright. I'll hold you to that. We'll see you tomorrow?"
I often visited Abi and Lucas when Liv was out. I enjoyed helping him so he could get some work done, too. This way, he would have time with Liv when she got home. I needed their life to be perfect. I planned to live vicariously through them. Maybe I could pretend I had this perfect life, with a perfect love.
I was so happy for my brother. He deserved it.
"But of course! I'll never miss a date with little miss Abi."
I poked her chubby cheek, loving the feel of her soft, squishy skin against my finger.
I want a baby.
"What about me? Are you just using me for my daughter?"
"Well, duh!" I smirked as I peered at him from the open door. "Abi is obviously the only reason I visit."
I winked, giggling as I made my way to the car. I tried to keep my mood up by listening to songs that kept me happy. Iko Iko by Justin Wellington, played as I drove, tapping on the steering wheel, singing and dancing. I sported a wide smile when I reached Chris' home.
We said we would meet here and take his car to the show. He wanted to show off, but the thing is, this car show didn’t care that much about fancy cars. It cared about the car's capabilities, and about the classics.
I didn't see Chris waiting for me outside and my stomach dropped as I realized I would have to knock on his door. I tried to keep my mood light as I approached the thick, black door. My smile faded, replaced by a small smirk that I had to fight to keep.
My heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it thrumming in my ears. I knocked on the door and was immediately greeted by the same girl as yesterday. Her hair wasn't as neat this time as if she had just been working hard.
"Hello madam, the young master is waiting for you in his office. I shall take you," she greeted me. She didn't smile this time like she had before. In fact, I'd say her smile had faltered.
I felt a fear rise in me with every step, but I tried hard not to show it. I preferred people to believe I was strong, even if I wasn't. The maid opened the door to Chris' dimly lit office, letting the smell of faint cigars waft into my nose. I stepped in, looking at the leather armchairs around the crackling fireplace, setting a warm glow to the room.
My eyes landed on Chris behind the dark oak desk, hunched over, and looking utterly perplexed. He stood when he saw me, striding towards me. My muscles tensed as he approached, bracing for a hit. Only there wasn't one. Instead, his arms wrapped around me gently as he pulled me close to him.
"I am so sorry, Lisa. I am so sorry," he whispered as he nuzzled into my neck, seeking comfort.
I hated this part. This was when the guilt ate at the man for hitting me, but in two day’s time the sorry would be replaced by fury again. I didn't see the point in the apology phase anymore. I knew it meant nothing. It honestly annoyed me greatly.
I know you're not sorry. Not really.
I didn't say a word. I wouldn’t comfort him or tell him it was okay. He won't get my forgiveness, not even as a lie. He rubbed me a while longer before he kissed my cheeks where he had hit me. They didn't hurt as badly today. What hurt was where he had kicked the center of my stomach. The ointment Davis applied yesterday helped a lot. I was sure without it I'd be in a lot more pain.
"Please forgive me, Lisa. I don't know what came over me. The thought of you being with another man drove me mad. I shouldn't have hit you. I promise, I'll never lay a hand on you again, I swear!"
Lies. All lies, always lies.
"I sure hope not," was all I could say. All I dared to say.
I let him hold me a while longer, feeling every muscle stay stiff. My body ached when he finally released me. Sadly, my muscles did not relax again until well after the car show ended. He was in a sour mood, not having gotten the attention he wanted. I was ready to bolt before that sour mood turned on me. The moment he parked his car, I jumped out and booked it to my car.
"Lisa, wait," he called after me.
I reluctantly stopped, slowly turning to face him. I didn't think I could take another moment of walking on eggshells. Worried about what would set him off or get me hurt again. His promise was utter bullshit. I didn't count on it at all. I knew that he would hurt me again. It wasn't an if, but a when, at this point.
"Yes, Chris?"
"Come here," he pulled me towards him. He held my gaze a while, anger was hidden deep behind those eyes. "How about you come up to my room with me? I need to make it up to you."
His offer was less than tempting, but I knew I couldn't reject it too quickly. I sat quietly for a moment, acting as if I was contemplating it.
"I'm sorry, I can't," I lied.
"Why not? You got plans with another man?" He said it as a joke, but I knew in his twisted mind that was exactly what he was thinking.
"No, I'm just not in the mood. I'm pretty tired."
"I see."
I knew he was offended by my words. He wanted me to jump at the chance of him pleasing me, but it was a far cry from what I wanted. I wanted Davis, his arms around me, his lips against mine. Chris was the devil while Davis was the angel, the one I was desperately trying to get back to.
"I'll come see you again when I get a chance," I promised, but honestly, I hope to stretch the time between visits further.
"I'll come get you tomorrow. I have a surprise for you." The corner of his lips twitched as he fought off his wicked smirk.
"Oh, um, okay. What time?"
"Tomorrow night, seven o'clock."
"I'll see you then." I nodded my head with a small, forced smile.
He held my gaze a moment longer before he leaned down and kissed me. His tongue invaded my mouth with a force while his hand grabbed at my bottom hard. He pressed me so tightly against him it felt like my breast would burst between us. His touch was aggressive, hungry, and never ending.
"Sorry, I needed a kiss to last me until then." He smiled at me as he reluctantly let me go.
When I finally sat in my car, I felt my muscles unwind, feeling sore all over, almost as if I'd been in a car accident. I started the car, ready to find my way to Davis.
I want to feel safe again.