Chapter 17
Bianca sits beside me on the steps, rubbing my arms. I look down at my dress, bloodied and torn down the front, and fold my arms across my chest to cover the rip.
I feel a blanket settle around my shoulders. Looking up, I meet Graham's sorrowful eyes, then quickly turn away. A female EMT comes over to me. "Ma'am, let's step into a room so I can examine you." I nod, and Bianca helps me stand.
We head toward the apartment. I pass Graham without looking at him. After what he'd said, I hated him.
Inside, Owen is speaking with a police officer while others remove my father's body farther down the hall. I watch until I'm quickly guided into the spare bathroom. The EMT faces me beside Bianca. "I'll need you to undress down to your bra and underwear so I can examine you."
My eyes widen. "No... I'm not wearing a bra." I begin to cry.
"Honey, I know you've just been through something traumatic. Your cousin is staying right here with you. I promise, all I need to do is check for broken ribs and clean your wound," she says.
I nod. Bianca takes the blanket, and I start removing my dress. She gasps and bursts into tears. "Oh my God!"
I glance down. Black and purple bruises cover my chest and abdomen, and a long, deep cut runs between my breasts.
The door flies open. Graham stands there, looking around in confusion as though someone has broken into the bathroom. "Get the fuck out!" I scream.
He freezes. Guilt crosses his face as he takes in my injuries, and tears gather in his eyes. Bianca pushes him outside.
The EMT returns to her examination. "The cuts and bruises appear superficial. Your wrist is fractured, but you're very lucky, Ms. Mercer. I'll clean this cut and bandage your wrist, and then you should be ready to go."
She turns to Bianca. "Why don't you find her some clothes? She shouldn't have to leave wearing that blood-covered dress."
Bianca nods and leaves the bathroom.
Bianca's POV
Oh my God. Nora's injuries look awful. Thinking of all those bruises makes me cry again.
I pass Owen and Graham, who are talking to the police. At Nora's bedroom, I see they've removed the bodies, but there's still so much blood. An officer stops me. "Miss, this is a crime scene. I can't let you in."
A detective approaches. I turn to her. "My friend needs clothes. May I please pack a bag?" She nods, hands me gloves, and accompanies me inside.
"Put those on, and touch nothing except the clothes in her closet. You can collect what she needs from the bathroom, too. It doesn't look as though the struggle reached there."
I nod, pull on the gloves, and go into Nora's closet to fill a bag. She can sort it out later. I find pajamas and sweats for her to wear now.
The detective follows me out. I hand the suitcase to Owen, and Graham turns to me. "What did the EMT say?"
I look at him. He's frantic with worry. "She said Nora's cuts and bruises are superficial. She's going to be okay."
He nods. "Where is she staying?"
I put a hand on his shoulder. "With me for a while. But I think you need to give her space." His eyes fill with tears, and he turns toward the door.
Back in the bathroom, I find the EMT bandaging Nora's wrist. "We're done. Nora, you need plenty of rest." She turns to me. "Here. I've written a prescription for the pain. She isn't feeling it yet, but she will tomorrow. Make sure she takes it and rests."
Nora starts pulling on the sweats and hoodie I've brought her.
I nod, and we leave the bathroom together. Graham is coming back inside as the detective approaches us.
Nora's POV
"Mrs. Ellis? I'm Detective Kale. I need to ask you a few questions. Would that be all right?"
I nod. Bianca looks at me, confused by the surname.
I answer Detective Kale's questions about my abusive father.
I tell her he forced me to marry Damon, who offered to finance his company in exchange for my hand.
My father agreed, and Damon married me when I turned eighteen.
He beat me for two years before I ran away.
As I describe my past and explain why I fled, I see Graham listening, taking deep breaths in anger.
He meets my eyes, and a tear slips down his cheek. Then he turns and speaks to Owen.
"Mrs. Ellis? Are you still with me?" Kale asks.
I nod. "Yes. Sorry."
"Who gave you the new identity?" she asks.
I draw a breath. I don't know whether I should tell her. I don't know if what I did—or what Tyler did—was legal. "I don't know his name."
Her look turns cold. "Are you obstructing justice, Mrs. Ellis? You could go to jail."
My brows draw together. I can't believe this bitch just asked me that. Before I can respond, Graham interrupts.
"All right. That's enough. She's been through a traumatic experience, and she needs rest. You can finish your questions with a lawyer present."
He guides Bianca and me toward Owen. I don't look at him. I hear him tell Bianca, "Make sure she has a lawyer before she speaks to that detective again." Bianca nods.
We reach Owen, and he helps me into the SUV. Graham watches, clearly wanting to come closer and touch me, but I turn away. Resting my head against the window, I slip into a deep sleep.
I feel the vehicle stop, then my seatbelt releases.
Strong arms lift me out and carry me bridal style.
I wake in fright and look up to find Owen.
"Shh... it's okay, Nora. It's only me. Owen.
I'm not going to hurt you." I take a deep breath and rest my head against him.
"I know. Thank you, Owen, for being like a big brother to me. "
He smirks. "A brother, huh? Good, because you remind me of my annoying little sister back home." I chuckle and drift off again.
At Bianca's apartment, Owen lays me in her bed and draws the covers over me. Darkness closes in, and I fall asleep.
"I can't wait to break you." I see the venom in his eyes as he steps toward me. BANG! I watch him fall, blood pouring from Damon's head.
I jerk awake from the nightmare, clutching my side and wincing. That EMT wasn't lying. This pain is no fucking joke. Bianca sits up and rubs my back. "Hey. It's okay, Nora. It was a bad dream. You're safe now. No one's going to hurt you." I pull my knees to my chin and sob.
Bianca eases me back onto the bed, stroking my back and running her fingers through my hair. It reminds me of the way my mother used to soothe me.
Gradually, my crying eases and I fall asleep again.
I wake the next morning to an empty bed. In the bathroom, after going to pee, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. A huge bruise marks my forehead, and black bruises mark my throat. I look like a fucking mess. At least this time he didn't do much damage to my face.
The scent of coffee draws me down the hall. Bianca and Renzo sit at the kitchen table. The moment he sees me, Renzo starts crying and hurries over to hug me. I wince, and he stops.
"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. How are you feeling this morning?"
I cradle my ribs. "Like I got hit by a fucking truck. But I suppose I can't complain, since nothing's broken."
He gently takes my arms and guides me to a chair beside him. His hand covers mine while I tell him everything that's happened in my life.
I cry, and he rubs my back. "Honey, I know everything seems bleak. But you're safe. They're gone, and they can never come back to hurt you. Things can only improve from here. I also think seeing a therapist would help. I'll take you, if you'd like."
I nod and smile at him. "I'd like that very much... Dad." He smiles and kisses my cheek.
"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you call me Dad. I love you, Nora."
I pat his hand, then get up to pour some coffee. A knock sounds at the door. I set my cup on the counter and go to answer it.
My eyes widen. Graham. He looks just as startled to find me at the door.
"Uh... Nora. Shouldn't you be resting?"
I stood frozen, unable to decide what to say or do.
He braces his hands against the doorframe. "How are you feeling?"
Then I know exactly how I feel. Fucking angry. I reach up and slap him across the face.
His chest rises and falls. "I deserved that."
I'm about to shout when Dad steps between us. He pushes Graham outside and follows him, pulling the door closed behind them.
Graham's POV
The anger in her eyes killed me. I put it there. I hurt her. She was hurt because of me. I should have trusted her, listened to her, never left her alone. Those thoughts fill my head until I register the furious Renzo standing in front of me.
"Graham, I know you love her, and I know she loves you. Neither of you has to say it. I can see it. But right now, the best thing you can do is give her space."
I sigh and drag my hands over my scalp. "Renzo, I love her so much it hurts. I need her. I've never needed anyone like this. I had to know she was okay," I plead.
He rests a hand on my shoulder. "If you love Nora the way you say you do, give her room. She needs to focus on herself and get better, physically and mentally, before either of you considers a relationship again. I'm asking you as her dad: give her time. She'll come around."
I nod and head back to my truck to leave.