Chapter Twenty
Marchella
The morning was chaotic. Aunt Carly was a liar, liar pants on fire. She didn’t have two call outs, she had two aides. One of whom was only in orientation, and due to be picked up by her school bus at a quarter to three.
I’d seen her around Lucia a time or two, but I didn’t really know her. The name tag said Nakarii, and the personality screamed drama. I kept our interactions as minimal as possible, while maintaining my polite composure and working together as required.
“Something is going on out past Steel Cages, according to that one group, Happenings of Swanwick,” she whispered, while we were sitting beside each other, assisting residents with their lunch. “I guess half the county cops are out there as we speak.”
“That thing is a gossip rag.” I dryly chuckled.
“Most of social media is,” Aunt Carly chimed in, while assisting with trays nearby.
“Social media is what's wrong with these kids,” A resident in bright pink sweatpants and a floral top began to lecture.
“You might be onto something, Mrs. Dagen,” Aunt Carly chirped, with a friendly smile.
The resident returned to her meal, and I tried to maintain the comfortable silence. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy conversations with the residents, I just didn’t think anything having to do with the local strip club was an appropriate topic.
Thankfully, someone started to ask after this afternoon's bingo plans and all returned to normal. I recorded their meal intake and helped clear away the trays and potty those that needed assistance. Once things slowed a bit, I found Carly in the office and let her know, “I’m going to step outside for some air. I’ll be back in ten.”
“Be careful, those damn bikers are outside over at your aunt’s house.”
I gave a slow nod, unsure how that was different from any other day. I slowly strolled down the hall, answering questions from residents as I went and fetching water pitchers closer to the bed for a few.
“Tell Blaze I’ll be out to kiss him better when you come in,” Nakarii purred.
I couldn’t stop the bleat of laughter that escaped me.
“You think he needs kissed better?” I looked at her, amused by her teenage ambition. “How old are you anyhow? Sixteen?”
“Nah, I’m eighteen. I’ll graduate this year,” she announced, before stretching her arms over her head and straining her massive breasts against her tucked in uniform top.
“Ah. All grown up.” I shook my head, stepping past her.
“Some men send dick pics, some whip it right out in the alley and show a girl what they have to offer.” She sang, “I knew he was the one, even before I saw that monster cock of his. They say he went to jail for fleeing and eluding. I’m going to get a taste of that just got free dick when I clock out.”
I paused and looked over my shoulder, unable to hide the disbelief that contorted my features. She pranced toward me like she was on a runway and threw her hair over her shoulder before leaning in close and whispering, “He’s pierced, too.”
“You’re fuckin’ gross,” I hissed, backing away from her.
I bumped into a linen cart and spun, tearing down the hall. I didn’t bother with the vending machine, I grabbed a chair and dragged it all the way to the fence, climbing up onto it without hesitation.
“Babe,” Blaze blurted out, sprinting toward me.
I wiggled my finger and nodded, urging him to hurry. When he reached the fence, he grabbed the top and stretched up to meet my lips. I gripped a handful of his shirt, wadded and twisted, holding him as best I could at that odd angle while I quietly asked, “Is there a reason Nakarii was gawking at your cock in an alley?”
His eyes rounded and his words collided in his throat. It wasn’t a satisfying enough sound, so I let my hand collide with the side of his face and shoved him away.
“You belong with these fuckin’ fools. You’re just like them.” I thrust a finger at the disciples gathered around Trista’s yard.
He slowly got to his feet. His eyes were dark, his chin angled down, but he was coming toward me.
“Don’t. Just go to your friends, and don’t ever look my way again. Whatever I thought– I was wrong. Nakarii can have your ass. I don’t want anything to do with you, Blaze Aviston.”
Mackie cackled, and Scottie taunted, “Got yourself a workin’ girl. A workin’ girl with a pimp hand. Best quit playin’. You ain’t got time to be catching cases and chasing skirt. You best get a job, boy.”
I turned and hopped off the chair. I didn’t even bother dragging it back, I just forced myself to take one breath and then another and continue toward the facility. I don’t even know why I felt so betrayed. I’d been involved with him for forty-eight hours.
I felt ridiculous. Some fuck boy licked my snatch once and now the sky was falling when I had to tell him to get lost?
Whose daughter was I anyhow?
That was the last thought that went through my head, before the wooden fence splintered with a thud behind me. I whirled in time to see Blaze’s foot come flying through it with a second thud. He ripped his boot back, catching the sole on the wood in a way that made him kick wildly for a moment before landing a third solid kick that took two panels down.
“Don’t walk away from me, Marchella.” He stepped through the rubble, and even if my pride wanted to run, my feet obeyed him.
He grabbed my arm and forced me to face him. His hands captured my cheeks and brushed away tears that I hadn’t realized I was spilling.
“I didn’t show her my dick, I took a piss in an alley, and she came up like it was some kind of free show. I didn’t invite her. I didn’t even know she was there. I thought she was with May.”
The panic in his voice was palpable, and his hazel eyes searched my face.
“Don’t fuckin’ lie to me–” I started.
His mouth collided with mine, and I tried to pull away from him, but his fingers tangled in my hair and his lips firmly made their demands until I started to kiss him back. When I was breathless, he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine.
“Was that a lie?” He panted.
He forced my hand over his chest and kissed me again, fisting my hair like he never meant to let me go, “Tell me what I feel for you is a lie, Marchella. Say it, and I’ll let you go–”
I couldn’t breathe. I was scared to trust him, but if I was honest, I was scared of trusting or letting anyone in.
“I believe you,” I whispered, just as he collided with me like my brothers used to when we played football as kids.
I flew. He flew. I landed on my back with him sprawled on top of me and his entire face registered with shock.
“Don’t move!” a voice boomed, and I realized several people were rushing toward us.
“Blaze Aviston, you’re under arrest for violation of a house arrest order, destruction of property, and battery.”
“Marchella! Marchella, honey, get up.” Aunt Carly’s loud voice somehow spoke over the police. “Get him off of her!”
“No. No, it’s fine. He’s not. He’s not hurting me. No, I’m his girlfriend,” I blurted out.
My father was leaning against a piece of fence that was still standing intact, a smirk staining his stubbled features while he watched them wrestle Blaze to the squad car.
“‘His girlfriend.’” Aunt Carly repeated, staring down at me with unmasked disgust.
“It’s a long story.” It felt long, it really wasn’t.
“Yeah,” she quipped before turning back toward the facility.
“Listen, I don’t want any charges pressed against him.” I told the female officer, who was trying to encourage me away from the crowd.
“We understand,” she assured, with a slow nod. “These things happen. Tempers flare.”
“No. We weren’t fighting.” I tried to explain, only to pause when she looked back at the fence and fixed her attention on me again.
“Fuck,” I whispered, my voice cracking when I saw them pulling away with Blaze in the backseat.
“Why don’t you come down to the station with me and we can talk there,” she encouraged.
“I need to get back to work.”
“Ma’am, you were just assaulted. I know you haven’t come to terms with that, yet—” the officer began.
“Do you? Is that what you know?” I lashed out at her, my voice climbing.
My father was there in an instant, shushing me and wrapping me in his arms.
“Excuse me, Sir.” The officer grabbed at his shoulder since he’d given her his back and inserted himself between us.
“Fuck off,” he growled.
She scrabbled at the leather of his kutte again and the local sheriff slid forward just in time and grabbed her officer’s wrist. “That’s enough, deputy.”
“She was assaulted by–” The female officer grew louder with every word.
“Yes, if she requires assistance, her father will bring her down to the station. Isn’t that right, Michael?” The sheriff spoke over her, to the point of shouting.
“Mhm,” my father mumbled.
“Very good.” The sheriff cleared her throat.
The deputy reluctantly moved away, but the damage was done. I was trembling in the devil’s arms. He stroked my back and slowly rocked me.
“I don’t want him to go to prison,” I hated the way my voice cracked and thinned. “He’s been to the county three times now this week. They're going to throw the book at him.”
“Baby, you don’t get to decide that.”
“Do something!” I half wailed, tugging at his kutte in a way that would have sent the sheriff into a panic attack.
“Baby, I don’t have that power, either. You think any of those clowns are gonna give me a badge or a bench anytime soon?”
I collapsed against his chest, hot tears streaming down my face while I struggled to breathe.
“Hey. Hey, now–” my father stammered. “Ah shit. Listen, babydoll. Get… Get on the phone. Ol’ man Winehopper golfs with the prosecutor and the judge. Lord knows he’s used them to fuck me a time or two, maybe he can place a call and do you a favor this time around?”
I covered my mouth and stumbled toward the parking lot. I needed to sit down in my car. I needed to compose myself… I needed to call my grandpa and pray for once in my life, my father would be right about something.