Chapter 5
FIVE
Three months ago
Danika
The wound was still raw where he’d burned me. And the initial etched into my skin brought upon both mental and physical pain. I needed the physical aspect of it though because the feeling helped distract me from the emotional one.
The man who rescued me from the car that would’ve taken me to a place I’d suffer daily in, sat next to me. His scent filled the back seat. It was an interesting aroma. Tobacco mixed with pine I supposed.
Up front sat a man from the other MC who aided in the rescue. He was driving us to their private doctor, and he hadn’t glanced back once. I knew because I obsessively watched him.
I compulsively picked at the dried blood on my leg and then stole a glance at the man next to me. He had his hand under his leather cut—which was the only thing he wore considering I was still wearing his shirt, and his other hand rested calmly on his thigh.
His midnight hair was buzzed on the sides and thick on top. He also had high cheek bones and full lips. His nose was straight which fit his face perfectly.
With a slight turn of his head, he paid me a glance in return, and I snapped my head away to look out the window. I wasn’t sure if it was because he had rescued me, or if my intuition told me he wouldn’t hurt me, but I wasn’t afraid of him. I was afraid of the driver, but not him.
When the car stopped, I tensed. Every muscle in my body stiffened as the driver got out to make his way over to my door first. I backed myself away and scurried until I hit the hard body next to me.
I didn’t know his name. They said it. Tequila told me. But I couldn’t remember. My mind was a pool of bad thoughts.
The whisper of his breath traced along my ear. “It’s all right.” His voice was soft and light yet, there was a fierceness hidden within.
When the driver opened my door, a fearful whimper escaped from me.
“Shut it now,” the man’s voice behind me vibrated as he called out the order with such lethalness.
The driver’s eyes widened and hurried to obey the command.
I let out a long-jagged breath. “Thank you,” I managed to say, but I wasn’t sure if I said it aloud or if I thanked him in my head.
We sat for a few minutes in silence until I felt his warmth dissipate.
His door opened, and I peered up at him as he stood blocking the outside world with his body and patiently waiting until I was ready.
I timidly slid out of the backseat and into the world, but the man kept his large frame in between me and the other guy. I was thankful for that.
A woman with short dark hair and a polite smile met us outside wearing a white coat and a stethoscope around her neck. The building itself looked well-kept and honestly it looked like any ordinary doctor's office.
She greeted us, welcoming me inside. “There’s a small waiting area inside for you,” she said to my protector. Honestly, I didn’t know what else to consider him. I assumed that’s why he was here.
I didn’t spare him a glance. The embarrassment was too much to bear. He knew why I was here, which was shameful enough.
She guided me inside an examination room leaving me to change into a thin paper gown.
When she came back, I was uncomfortable, and she could tell but she was kind.
Gentle. Talked me through everything she was going to do before she did it.
Some parts were distressing, but not nearly as bad as what that monster did to me.
She drew my blood along with collecting a urine sample which came back negative for pregnancy, but positive for infection. She ordered a test through bloodwork to be sure. The thought raced inside my head. I couldn’t take on a child. Not like this.
“Okay. I’ll send these off to my lab. We’ll run every possible test there is. And I’ll call you personally with your results.”
I gave her my number, hoping my old phone was still back at the apartment.
She provided antibiotics, a few pain medications I won’t end up taking, and her sympathies. She was kind but I didn’t need anyone to pity me.
I changed into a pair of scrubs she had given me before leaving the exam room. My savior, what I guessed to be a suitable name as well, was there waiting. I handed him his shirt back, and he took it avoiding eye contact of any kind.
The drive back was silent as they dropped me off near my apartment. I didn’t want them to know where I lived so I gave them an address for a block over. But the walk back was torture.
I felt around for the spare key under the potted plant outside the apartment door. My roommate was home, but she didn’t ask questions about where I’ve been, so I took that as a sign she hadn’t been home long. Or she simply didn’t give a damn. Both are fine.
Here I was, rescinded, cleaned up, and about to continue back to my ordinary life.
Like nothing ever happened.
Like my entire life wasn’t turned upside down.
I never forgot him. There’s no forgetting the man who saved me.
From the way he carried me so delicately, so fragile, like I could break with one simple wrong move.
I suppose at the time, I might have. But he got me out of that car—got me to safety and I can recall every last detail of what it had felt like to cling to him.
Being safe for that small fraction of time.
To be in the grasp of someone who didn’t want to hurt me.
Jesus. My fists still hold onto him for dear life. How long have I been standing here?
His eyes are the same emotionless, empty, sad ones. Maybe I can read them so well because they’re the same as mine. I want to ask him why he’s so broken but that would be randomly insane.
I shuffle backward, away from him and tug at the ends of my hair. When he last saw me, it was a matted mess. Soiled with blood, and God only knows what else. I was probably twenty pounds lighter too.
I don’t know what to say. Does he even remember or recognize me for that matter? I can thank him again but the more we stand here, the more awkward it gets.
He blinks, giving me a small nod before brushing past. It’s like he couldn’t escape fast enough.
I can hear my heart thudding in my ears.
“Are you okay?” Tequila steps back outside, a slightly confused expression marring her face.
“I just didn’t expect to see him.” I glance over my shoulder, but he’s gone.
“Sorry. I know this must be a lot for you. I should take it down a notch.”
I shake my head, bringing my attention back to her. “I’m glad I came.” A smile forces its way through my thick shell. “I can’t remember his name.” My voice dips, disappointed with myself.
Tequila’s eyes dart behind me, then back. “Hush.”
“Hush,” I repeat quietly without realizing I said that aloud, the heat rising on my face.
“It’s okay. He has that effect on all of us. And you were pretty out of it that night.” Her sympathetic tone is obvious.
She leads me back to the clubhouse as we silently agree the tour is over. “Want to come back inside for a little? We can hang out more.”
“Actually, I think I’m going to head back. I work the evening shift so—”
“Oh, of course. Duh. I guess I selfishly expected you to stay here all day, and cry on each other’s shoulders like the pathetic broken souls that we are.” She laughs and I smile.
I am broken. But not her, she’s too strong.
“I’m really glad I came.”
Her eyes beam with joy. “It was good, wasn’t it?” She smiles. “Please stay in touch, Danika. And Angel has a class tomorrow at noon if you want to come by. I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you or anything. I just think it might be good.”
Tomorrow’s my day off and for some reason, excitement floods me. “Yeah. Yeah, maybe I’ll do that.”
“Great! Can I pick you up?”
I hesitate before saying yes. It’s either her or public transportation, and I’m still not ready to be alone with complete strangers.
Will I ever be ready? But this is a step in the right direction.
Has to be.