Beau #2
I sag as Javier staggers back, hunched and groaning, blood dripping from his nose and mouth and a gash in his cheek. I’m satisfied that he needs a doctor, but the fact that he’s still standing stokes my fury all over again.
I lunge for him, but whoever holds me back has arms like a vise. Daisy rushes forward, her fingers fluttering over my face, then resting on my chest, and I wince at the sting of her touch. My rage is extinguished by a wave of abject terror. If he hurt her…
“Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” she whispers shakily. “He didn’t…” Tears well in her hazel eyes.
The rage returns. “You bastard,” I yell, trying to make a break for him and failing.
Javier has the gall to look me in the eye before he spits blood and smirks. “Get the fuck off my property,” he says. “You’re fired.”
My hands shake as I stuff everything I own into my ancient duffel, and my thoughts run at a mile a minute, my brain imagining what could’ve happened if I hadn’t come back.
If I’d waited another hour. Another half an hour.
Another minute. Daisy moves around our room in silence, collecting things from the dresser, the closet, the floor.
I refuse to let her leave the room, even to get our things from the shared bathroom.
When I return, I find her perched on the edge of the mattress, staring into nothing.
I fall to my knees at her feet. “Darlin’, I’m so sorry.”
Her smile is tremulous, and she threads her fingers into my hair before resting her forehead on mine. “Why on earth are you sorry? You were right.”
I close my eyes for a moment, trying to push away the guilt and self-reproach of failing to protect her.
“And that’s why I should’ve gotten us out of here the minute I realized that guy wasn’t safe for you to be around,” I say. “Fuck. This isn’t the life I want for you. Running from sex offenders in foreign countries. No home base to go to when we’re in trouble. You deserve better.”
Her fingers tighten in my hair, and her jaw hardens. “This isn’t your fault. You did what I wanted, which was stay. I’m mad at myself for not seeing it. I thought he was a dick—not dangerous.”
“The two are not mutually exclusive.” My hands slide over her thighs and hips, and I wrap them around her waist. “This isn’t your fault either. You know that, right? The guy’s a predator.”
She stares through me for a moment before her eyes refocus. “I do know that, but thank you for saying it out loud.”
“Tell me honestly.” I swallow and brace myself. “Are you okay? He didn’t…? I mean, did he… hurt you?”
Daisy releases her grip on my hair, and my throat is tight even after she shakes her head.
“No. It happened so fast. I was alone, and then I wasn’t, and then you were there.” She releases a shuddering breath. “I’m okay.”
I cradle her cheek, scanning her pretty face as the panic rises again. “If I’d followed my instincts weeks ago, this never would’ve happened.”
She gives me a half smile and sad eyes. “You can’t think like that. It’ll drive us both crazy. Let’s agree to learn from it and move on. I don’t want to think about it anymore. Please?”
I study her closer, wondering whether she’s saying that to save my feelings, but she appears to mean it, and I don’t want to make this worse for her.
“If that’s what you want,” I say, “but if I had followed those instincts, at the very least, we’d have an exit plan up our sleeves. As it stands, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
“I’ve got a little money saved,” she offers. “Enough to pay for somewhere cheap to stay through the end of the week.”
“That’s more than I’ve got,” I say with a grimace, “but I’ve got enough to cover another two or three days. That gives us time to find something else.”
“We’ll be okay.” Daisy nods with determination. “We’ll figure it out.”
I brush her cheek and wonder how I ever got lucky enough to find this woman. “What if we forget the gig in Portugal, and I go with you back to California? We could take a break. Spend time with your family. Save a little extra money before traveling again?”
Daisy seems taken off guard, brows knitting together before she turns her head away.
Before I can ask her what’s wrong, there’s an unexpected tap on the door.
Although the sound is quiet enough to be called timid, Daisy’s eyes grow round.
My heart beats a little faster, and I guide her to stand behind me before I open it.
On the other side, looking small and uncertain, is Lucy.
“Hey,” she says. “Do you have a minute?”
I glance at Daisy for an answer.
“Of course,” she says with a wave of her hand. “Come in.”
Lucy steps in and hands Daisy a slip of paper as I close the door.
“This is the name and number of a place outside Madrid. They run English immersion programs for locals, and they’ve sometimes got spare rooms. It’s not horse work, but it’s a good gig. I wasn’t sure if you needed somewhere to go, but if you do, they might be able to help you.”
Daisy throws her arms around Lucy. “This is fantastic. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“How about you?” I ask her. “Do you have to stay here? I can’t say I like the idea of leaving you behind with Javier running the place.”
She gives me a rueful smile. “I was headed home next week anyway, so I changed my flight. I’ll be in a cab to the airport in about an hour.”
Daisy sags with relief, then hugs Lucy again. “That’s a smart decision. What about—”
“Kirk and Monica are out of here too. Packing their bags as we speak.”
“Oh.” Daisy sets a hand on her chest. “That makes me feel better.”
“Me too,” I say.
We exchange farewells, and Lucy disappears into the hall. When it’s just the two of us again, Daisy holds up the piece of paper. “This might save us.”
“And if it doesn’t, you know I’ll figure something out, right?” I slide my arms around her waist and pull her hips to me. “You’ll never be without somewhere to sleep and food to eat. I’ll take care of you, Darlin’. I promise.”
She twines her arms around my neck, then presses her cheek to my chest. Right over my heart. “I’ll never doubt it.”
“I’m sorry we’re in this position, but I’m not sorry for punching the guy. I’d do it again.”
My muscles tense at the reminder of Javier, and Daisy’s fingers gently brush the hairline at my nape. “I know, and I love you for it.”
My heart, which was beating steadily a moment ago, stops at her words, then takes off again at three times its usual pace.
I bury my nose in her hair, breathing her in. “You’ve never said that before.”
Her pleased hum vibrates against my chest. “You’ve never gone into battle for me before.”
“Is that all it takes?” I draw back to look into her eyes. “Beating the shit out of a guy who thought he could lay his hands on you?”
“That’s not all it takes.” Her gaze is full of trust, and it makes me hold my breath, knowing the work I need to do to be worthy of it. “But it sure doesn’t hurt.”