by Missy Jane
“Things are fine at Hank’s, Cheryl. How have you been? How’s Mom?”
She snorted in a very unladylike fashion as she opened three little pink packets at once for her iced tea. “Mamma’s fine. I’m fine. I’ll tell you who isn’t though.”
I rolled my eyes again and tried to think of any way to not have this conversation. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind. My mother and I had never had a good relationship and Declan had played us off each other for years, seemingly for his own amusement. I hadn’t even realized it until much too late. Unfortunately, Cheryl always took her cues from our mom.
“Declan is the one who looks like death warmed over lately. I swear, girl, I can’t believe the way you just up and left him after all those years he gave you.”
This time I snorted, not giving a damn how unladylike it sounded. “Oh yeah, I remember. He gave me so much in those years. Let’s see, one sprained wrist, a broken ankle, bruised ribs, numerous black eyes and busted lips. Hell, the list just goes on and on. Lord knows he was so generous.”
She frowned at me but remained silent as the waitress set our food before us. I wanted to laugh out loud when I realized Cheryl had mimicked my order without my realizing it.
“Now, Elle, we both know sometimes men can be real…pigs. It’s up to us to better them. We have to take care of them.”
This wasn’t the first time I’d been given this speech. It had been the gospel according to our mother for years. I figured it was how she justified living with so many loser boyfriends all my life. All I really knew about my daddy was I shared him with Cheryl…amazingly.
“Cheryl, that may be the way you want to live your life, but I got sick of being Declan’s punching bag. There’s just no reason for me to live that way when I don’t have to.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “If you’re talking about that man who took you in, I think he’s just after something.”
This time I laughed out loud. I laughed until my gut ached and I was holding it as I slapped the edge of the table. Cheryl just glared.
“What is so dang funny, Elle Jean?”
“He’s…he’s a-after something? Really? So what, you think I never had sex with Declan those five years I lived with him?”
She blushed brightly and looked all around but no one was paying any kind of attention to us.
“Will you lower your voice?” she hissed.
“Oh puleeze. There ain’t a single person here who gives a damn what we’re yakkin’ about.”
One thing I hated about arguing with my sister, it always made my drawl deeper. I took a breath and tried to calm my pulse before continuing.
“Look, Cheryl, I don’t really understand why you and mom have always supported everything Declan did no matter how I looked. He beat the hell out of me, okay? He beat me, lied to me and hurt me in so many ways I can’t even count them all. But the worst thing was how he talked to me. He never once talked to me like I mattered, and that was what hurt the worst.”
For the first time a gleam of understanding seemed to shine in Cheryl’s gaze. She had always taken Declan’s side in every argument over the years to the point I wondered if they had something going on. But this once when she opened her mouth it wasn’t to berate me for bad-mouthing him. She sighed and with a somber expression simply said, “I know.”
Those two little words undid years of pain and confusion. A dam broke inside me and I had to bury my face in my hands as I wept. Warmth against my side and her flowery perfume told me Cheryl had moved to my side of the booth. She wrapped one slender arm around my shoulders and hugged me close.
“If I ever thought for a minute I was strong enough to protect you from him, I would have, Elle. I-I just didn’t know how. Mamma would talk about him taking care of you and pass off his abuse as a small flaw…as if he couldn’t help it. I was always so afraid to go against her. For that, I’m truly sorry.”
Her confession was whispered against my hair as she rocked me gently from side to side. I sniffled and got myself under control before replying. “I know. I wasn’t strong either. I just…let him be so horrible to me.”
She nodded against me and hugged me tighter. We stayed that way a few more minutes until I was able to breathe without hiccupping. I dried my eyes with a napkin and she moved back to her side of the table. Her dry eyes weren’t a surprise and I didn’t hold it against her. My very makeup-clad sister had perfected keeping her emotions under tight control to save her mascara and her sanity. She had to after living with our mom for so many years. I’d once asked her why she didn’t move out and the look of fear and horror on her face spoke volumes. I often prayed one day she would find the strength to break free. Maybe I could be a good example in that regard.
“So…Hank is nice?” she asked.
I laughed out another sob and nodded. “Oh, yeah. He’s perfect.”
“Not bad-looking either.”
My brows shot up and I looked at her. She smiled and finished her fruit.
“I saw the two of you grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t want you to think I was spying so I didn’t go up to you. But damn, girl, he is hot.”
I laughed and ate a grape. “Yeah, he’s hot and sweet and everything a true gentleman should be. He makes me dinner every night too.”
“Really? Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who knows how to cook. Or at least not one who admits it.”
I smiled. “Yeah, me too.”
She sighed and took the check when the waitress placed it on the end of the table.
“Well, at least I know you’re eating. You lost so much damn weight at Declan’s. I thought you might up and disappear.”
“There’s definitely no threat of that now. I think I’ve put on ten pounds since I moved in with Hank.”
She laughed. “As if that would matter on your skinny hide. Anyway, I gotta get back or Mamma will send out a search team.”
“Did she know you were meeting me?”
She bit her lip and gave me a sympathetic look that was all the answer I needed. Of course Mom hadn’t known, or else she would have forbidden it. She hadn’t spoken to me since finding out I’d left Declan.
“You know how Mamma is, Elle. She can hold a grudge like nobody’s business and she took to Declan from day one. Men have always been her weakness.”
She whispered the last part as if afraid to admit it to herself. I wondered how bad things had gotten and wished I could ask her, but knew she would never tell me. She might be older, but our mom had a hold on her that might never be broken.
I just nodded and finished my water. “I know. I just wish she would remember I’m her child, not Declan.”
Cheryl sighed and grabbed her designer purse before scooting out of the booth.
“That man can charm the pants offa anything, I swear. And you know he always shows up at the house with her favorite cookies.”
I laughed and shook my head. That was our mom, willing to forgive any man who arrived bearing gifts.
“I know. It’s okay, really. But I’m not going back to him this time, Cheryl, and it honestly has nothing to do with Hank. I just can’t be Declan’s punching bag anymore.”
I stood and followed her to the cash register. We remained silent as she paid and then walked out of the diner together.
“I understand, sis. I’ll stop listening when Mamma talks about him. And when he shows up I’ll make sure not to say anything about you.”
I hugged her. “Thanks, sis. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. See ya later?”
“Sure. We’ll do this again soon.”
She smiled brightly, showing off the perfect teeth that had helped her win more than one beauty pageant. I watched her get into her red corvette and drive away, knowing she would only be as strong as Mamma allowed. Well, one of us was finally free at least. And I was going to enjoy it to the fullest.
Chapter Three
I drove past Sean’s house on the way back to Hank’s
and again ticked off all the advantages. It was a nice two-bedroom with a decent yard and friendly neighbors. The area was low on crime and seemed quiet enough. A glance at my odometer as I pulled into Hank’s driveway showed I’d only gone five miles. So really, I wouldn’t even be very far away from him. That might not be so good if his new girlfriend was a serious thing. With a sigh I turned off the ignition and was about to open my door when the sunlight was blotted out by an unexpected shadow. I flinched and looked up to find Declan staring down at me.
It was reflex to hit the auto-lock button but unfortunately he was quicker and grabbed the door handle just before the locks engaged. I grabbed my handle and tried to hold it shut. He wasn’t a big guy but it didn’t take much to overpower me and he was able to yank the door open. I unclipped my seatbelt with one hand while grabbing my purse with the other, intent on using it as a weapon. He jumped back and held up his hands.
“Wait! Baby, wait a minute. Please.”
I froze, turned to fully face him with one leg out of the car and one leg in. My purse was against my chest, the strap in one palm for leverage in case I needed to swing the heavy-ass thing.
“What the hell do you want, Declan? What are you doing here?”
I wasn’t surprised he knew where Hank lived. They had actually been friends a few months ago…kinda. Hank had admitted he only hung around for chances to talk to me after a while.
“I just want to talk, Elle. Why won’t you just talk to me?”
I rolled my eyes at his adolescent whine and wondered for the millionth time what I had ever seen in him. Compared to Hank he was a little bit of nothing. His height just barely topped mine by a couple of inches and we probably wore the same size of skinny jeans. His arms were muscular from years of playing guitar but no other part of his body was even remotely so. I used to love his long blond hair. Now it just looked greasy and juvenile in my eyes. He didn’t look his twenty-seven years at all.
“We’ve got nothing to talk about. I left you. End of story. Why don’t you just move on and go find your next punching bag?”
He actually flinched and unexpected guilt played across his face. It was a stark contrast to the usual smug belligerence.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I know I should never have hurt you… I just don’t know what came over me.”
I rolled my eyes and got out of the car, taking a step back after shutting the door. There was about five feet between us, too much for him to grab me easily.
“Yeah? Well, it’s nice of you to finally realize it but it’s too late for us, Declan.”
He shook his head and took a step toward me. I took two steps back.
“No. No, baby, it can’t be too late. We have history. How can you just throw that away?”
I snorted and rolled my eyes again, taking another step back. I was edging my way toward the front door.
“History? Really? You wanna know what I remember most about our history? ER visits, bloody noses, broken fingers and black eyes. I’m missing a tooth on both sides of my mouth because of you, you dumbass.”
I had reached the bottom step of the porch as I talked and got one foot on it before he lunged. An involuntary scream left my throat as I turned and dove for the door. He hit my back like a ton of bricks and we both went down.
“You’re mine, goddamn it. I ain’t gonna let that asshole have you.”
My purse, the only weapon I had, was trapped beneath me. Declan’s weight kept me pinned to the small porch, barely large enough for our upper bodies. My legs were on the steps and I’d lost a shoe.
“Get the fuck off me, you son of a bitch!”
I jerked my head back, slamming into his face hard enough for me to hurt. That just pissed me off more.
“Ow, you bitch!”
He buried his fingers in my hair and I braced my elbows on the porch, knowing he planned to slam me face first into the wood. Then suddenly his weight was gone and his fingers were ripped violently from my scalp, taking a few strands with them.
“Fuck!”
I rolled onto my back and pulled my knees up, ready to kick the shit out of him when he came at me again. But there was no need. Declan was on the ground with a very pissed-off Sean standing over him.
“Oh shit.”
I jumped to my feet and closed the distance, hobbling along in one shoe. “Sean! Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re here. But please don’t do anything.”
I really didn’t give a damn about Declan getting hurt. In fact, the harder Sean hit him the happier I would be. But unfortunately Sean had almost gotten arrested a few months back for fighting with one of Declan’s friends. I didn’t want Sean to get in trouble because of me.
“Go in the house and call the cops, Elle. I’m just going to make sure this piece of shit stays put.”
Declan tried to sit up but Sean kicked him back with a foot flat on his chest. Declan didn’t stand a chance against the older, more muscular former Marine. Sean kept in great shape and Declan could barely handle the steps at his apartment.
“O-okay,” I said as I fished my phone from my purse. “Okay, I’ll call them but I’m not hiding inside.”
Sean frowned at me but said nothing. I was amazed to realize my purse had stayed around my shoulder the whole time. Thank god for Sean. I loved Hank’s house because it was set back from the road, nestled in a grove of beautiful elms. It afforded plenty of privacy and he had a huge yard. But there was no one to hear me scream or see I was being attacked. If Sean hadn’t happened by there’s no telling what might have happened.
I had just found my phone and was about to dial when the sound of tires on gravel caught my attention. I looked up to see Hank’s large truck flying toward the house and froze.
The truck came to a screeching halt, kicking up gravel, dirt and grass in all directions. His door shot open and he leapt from the truck. He took in the scene with a glance and made a beeline for Declan. I dropped everything and ran to intercept him.
“No! No, Hank, he’s not worth it. I’m calling the cops to come get him.”
I was able to stop his forward motion by literally running into his chest. I took a single step back and waited for his anger. He only glanced at me before moving me gently aside and closing the distance to Declan. Sean immediately stepped back out of his way.
“Sean, stop him,” I pleaded.
He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. Hank grabbed Declan by the front of his shirt and lifted him to his feet.
“What the fuck are you doing on my property?” he growled through clenched teeth.
Declan shook his head violently from side to side and started hitting Hank’s shoulders since that was all he could reach.
“Get the fuck off me, man!” Declan hollered.
Hank shook him like a rag doll until Declan finally dropped his arms. “I could rip you limb from limb, you worthless piece of shit.”
“Fuck you! I just came to talk. That’s all.”
“Yeah? You weren’t fucking talking when I got here,” Sean said.
I bit my lip and fought the urge to scowl at him since he had just saved my ass. “Uh, Hank…honey, do you think you could put him down now?”
Declan and Hank both turned surprised faces my way. I smiled weakly and rubbed my arms again. Hank’s gaze dropped to the motion and he scowled before violently tossing Declan onto the ground. The air left his lungs in a loud gasp and he rolled onto his side, coughing and gasping. Hank spared him a single glance before heading for me.
“Let me see your arms, baby. Do I need to take you to the emergency room?”
I gasped in pain and surprise when he gently grasped my upper arms, rubbing his fingers slowly over the bruised skin. I hadn’t even realized I was bruised until the pain settled in. Hell, I didn’t even remember Declan grabbing my arms.
“N-no. No, I’m fine,” I said.
Hank nodded and put an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side as he turned to face Declan again. The idiot had regained t
he ability to breathe and climbed to his feet. Sean was standing behind him, arms out and hands fisted. I prayed Declan didn’t do anything stupid.
“I should call the cops myself,” Declan said. “I could press assault charges on both of you.”
With a sigh I realized stupid was his middle name. Hank just glared at him and Sean laughed.
“Yeah?” Hank asked. “Well I could get my gun and shoot your ass for trespassing. I’ve got two witnesses and your car is out on the road where the neighbors can see it. Wanna see who will win?”
The fear on Declan’s face loosened the tightness in my chest for the first time since his shadow fell on me. I relaxed against Hank’s strength and fought a grin.
“You’ve got two choices,” Hank said. “You can either run, don’t walk, back to your piece-of-shit car and leave. Or you can stay here on my property where I will either shoot or beat the shit out of you. I’ll give you…ten seconds to decide.”
He made a show of lifting his arm to look at his watch as Declan spun on his heel and hauled ass down the driveway. Sean belted out more laughter.
“Good choice,” Hank murmured.
“That idiot is lucky he chose to run,” Sean said.
Sean’s expression had quickly gone from amused to angry again and I knew Declan had barely made it away in one piece.
“Man, I don’t know how to thank you,” Hank said.
He put his hand out and Sean shook it with a nod. “No problem. Elle means the world to Megan, which means she’s important to me too. I hope you understand…I need to talk to her for a second alone.”
Hank frowned but didn’t argue as Sean motioned with one hand for me to precede him a few feet away. I kicked off my one shoe and walked out from beneath Hank’s arm with regret but knew it needed to be done. Sean was only here because of my phone call. We stopped by the side of the house, far enough away for Hank to not hear our conversation.
“You all right?” Sean asked.
I couldn’t help but rub my arms again as I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. This is nothing compared to last time.”
