Sierra
Chapter thirty-one
“What do you mean?” I ask, hoping playing dumb will stop the questions.
“I think we both know what I mean. Who did this to you and what is it you’re trying to keep from me?
I know there's more to the story and I deserve to know. Let’s start with the most important questions; who did this to you and how old are you?
Because I have a feeling you’re not the age you have all of us at the club believing you are. ”
Dropping my eyes, I stare at my clasped hands in my lap, as I worry my lip. Fear, that’s all I’m feeling right now; the pain taking a backseat for the moment.
“Sierra, as much as I want to see you biting that lip, I want you doing it for a much different reason. What I need now is for you to tell me what happened. Why are you a battered mess, and how old are you?” Looking up at him as he speaks, the intensity in his eyes is so strong, I know I have to tell him.
“It’s kind of a long story.” The sound of my voice is so timid even to my own ears.
Was I really about to tell someone the truth, the whole story, or at least most of it?
“I’ve got nothing but time.” His voice is deep and caring, as he takes a seat on the edge of the couch, taking my hands in his.
“My mom was amazing.” Tears fill my eyes as I speak of her. “She had cancer…”
“Oh, Sierra, I’m so sorry, baby. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose your mother so young. ”
“So, um… my sister and I were placed in the custody of my aunt, who we hadn’t seen in years.
She and my mother had a falling out over something and they cut ties with each other.
But since she was our only living relative, it was that or foster care.
” I can’t look him in the eyes, afraid of what I’ll see.
“Sierra, how old are you?”
“Seventeen. I’ll be eighteen in about two months. My aunt, well, she isn’t the best person, so I lied about my age to get the job at the club.” I cringe inside, waiting for his reaction.
God, I hope he doesn’t hate me.
He releases a long breath before raking one of his hands through his dark locks, as he lets out a low laugh.
“Thank God. I really wish you were eighteen, but I can handle that. It's only a two-year difference between us. But what happened? Why isn’t your aunt taking care of you?” When he says this, the tension in my muscles releases and I sigh. He doesn’t hate me.
“She did, for a month or two, until my mom’s insurance money ran out, and then she left.
Aunt Sarah only comes around to get money from me.
That’s what happened. Last night when I came home, she was here waiting with her current man of the hour.
She let the guy beat the shit out of me, and when I fought back, he got turned on and…
” I pause for a moment as memories of last night flash behind my eyes, sending me into a panic.
“It’s okay, baby, take your time. I’m here and I’m never going to let that bitch hurt you again. Why don’t you just turn her in? Let someone know what’s going on?” he asks.
“Because Sam and I would go into foster care and they would separate us. We were already told we’d be separated when my mother died and they were having a hard time locating my aunt.
My plan was to save money and then petition the court for custody of Sam.
With a stable job and being eighteen, I had high hopes I’d have a good chance of being awarded custody.
But she took every penny I had. Now I have to start from scratch again. ”
“I know this may be a dumb question, one you’ve probably already thought of, but why don’t you put it in the bank?” His face is somber as he stares at me, waiting to hear my answer.
“Because if I don’t give it to her, she threatens to take Sam from me. The thought of what she would do to her scares the shit out of me, and I’m not willing to take the risk to see if she’ll follow through.”
Cyrus reaches up and cups my face with his hand, swiping his thumb over my cheek, wiping the tears away.
“Okay, well first things first, tomorrow I am getting a new lock for your door. At least not having the key will be an inconvenience. She’d have to contact the landlord and have him change the locks, so it buys you some time and keeps her from walking in on you in the middle of the night.”
“Cyrus, I can’t ask you to do that. Until I can work again, I don’t have the money to pay you back and honestly, I need to save all the money I can for an attorney,” I plead with him.
“First, I offered, and not once did I ever mention you paying me back. Second, one of my frat buddies is in pre-law and I can speak with him about your options and chances of getting custody. Third, I’ve told you how I feel about you and nothing is going to change that. I’ll help you in any way I can.”
I can’t help it. His words, his generosity mixed with the pain and emotions of everything I’m going through are too much.
The tears fall freely, my whole body shaking as I cover my face.
When he wraps his arm around me gently, holding me in a way that doesn’t cause any more pain, I can’t stop.
He doesn’t say a word, just holds me, stroking his hand over my back.
“Sierra, Sierra, wake up baby,” a voice as smooth as honey whispers into my ear.
“Huh,” I groan, cracking my eyes open to see Cyrus’ face right in front of me.
“The older lady said she was going to have your sister call at eight-thirty. That's in ten minutes. I don’t know if you have a house phone or she’s calling your cell phone, but it's turned off,” he whispers.
“Cell phone.” Sitting up slowly, I reach over to the coffee table and pick it up.
“Okay, while you talk to her, I’m going to warm up something for us to eat.
I don’t know what she brought you, but there’s enough for two and it smelled delicious, so I can’t wait to try it.
” He stands up from where he’s squatted beside me and heads to the kitchen, giving me privacy to speak with Sam.
Plastering on a smile, I turn my phone on, ignoring all the beeping and buzzing sounds notifying me of all the incoming messages. There are only a couple of people who have the number, so I know who they’re from. I’m just not ready to talk to them.
The phone comes to life ringing in my hand, Mrs. Butler’s number flashing on the screen. Answering the call, Sam’s voice flows through the line. “Hello,” she says excitedly.
“Hey, Sam, how are you? Are you being good?” I ask her, my voice cracking with all the emotions rampaging through my body.
“I am. Mrs. Butler said you were sick and I couldn’t see you because y’all didn’t want me to catch it. But I’m strong and you need me to help take care of you. Sierra, you really don’t sound good.”
“I know, and that’s why I don’t want you to catch it.
You’d miss school, you’d feel bad and you wouldn’t be able to see your friends if they invite you over.
I promise, as soon as I’m better, you can come back home.
I got a friend who’s helping take care of me, so I’m going to be okay.
Just hearing your voice is the best medicine.
” Truthfully, it is. Looking up, I see Cyrus poke his head around the corner, thinking I don’t notice.
“Are you sure? I could be downstairs in a flash.”
“Positive. Now go get ready for bed and you can call me again tomorrow when you get home from school.”
“Okay, but Sierra, you’d tell me if it was Aunt Sarah being a bully again, wouldn’t you?”
She is so aware of everything, and this proves it. Guess I wasn’t doing as good a job as I thought of hiding shit from her. So I do the only thing I can, I lie. “Of course, but I’m just sick, that's it. Now go to bed and I love you.”
“I love you too, Ci Ci.” Disconnecting the call, I break down again. I can barely breathe, the pain reminding me of all the kicks I took to the stomach.
Strong arms wrap around me. “That's it, baby, let it all out. Once you’re done, I’m going to feed you and then run a warm bath with some Epsom salt so you can relax.” His husky voice soothes me in all the ways I need as his hand strokes across the top of my head, down my hair, and over my back.
“It-it-it hurts so bad. Why is this happening to us? What happens when she acts on her threats and takes Sam from me? What am I going to do, Cyrus?” Everything hits me at once.
The reality is it’s going to get harder and harder to keep Sam safe.
The next time she comes I could end up dead from the beating.
Hell, I could have with this one. Only by sheer luck am I alive.
“You’re not alone anymore, baby. There’s an amazing woman helping to take care of Sam, who’s kept your secret all this time.
Rico, for some odd reason, goes out of his way to make sure you’re taken care of.
And now, well, you have me, the man who wants to spend the rest of his life making sure he never sees another tear on your face or bruise on your body. ”
He leans back, releasing me, and I try to catch my breath. He gently grips my chin, tilts it up, and places his lips on mine in a gentle kiss. My face is a canvas of black and blue, and he takes care not to jar or cause any pain.
The kiss is so electric, sending shocks through my body that excite me in a way it shouldn’t at the moment.
But I want more, I need more. I crave this man.
His tongue dances along the seam of my lips, not demanding but caressing, showing me how he wants me.
His tongue disappears, leaving me longing for more, as he peppers kisses along my cheek with a final one right in the middle of my forehead before leaning away from me.
“Now, I need to get you fed. You need to keep up your strength so your body can heal and you don’t need to take those pills on an empty stomach. After your bath, I’m going to put you in your bed so you can rest more comfortably.”
His deep voice is so soothing. I nod and blow out a breath, trying to relax.
But then panic sets in. If my aunt comes back, I won’t know. At least out here I can hear her open the door. He must sense the change in my emotions because he places his hand on the side of my face, careful not to put too much pressure.
“You are going to be fine. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Plus, you’ve seen my skills. I can take down any man she brings here with her. So calm down for me. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” The need to do as he says is so high, I don’t even think about it.
“Good girl, now sit still, don’t move, and I’ll be right back with the food.” He leans forward, placing another kiss on my lips, and all I want is to explore how deeply that kiss can go.
It hasn’t escaped my attention that with his touch, along with Braxton and Zander’s, I don’t have anxiety. There are no flashbacks or fear. I just feel safe. If only I could remember what happened that night.