Paige and Chloe

by Aimee-Louise Foster

  Natasha smiled at my words, she was a cracking looking young lady and a fucking good manager. Since being in charge, she had increased profits and had enticed an older wealthier clientele to the club that had in turn reduced the amount of arsehole punters, creating less aggravation for us. I wasn't sure if Duke would move her to the new club once it opened in Epping because if she worked wonders here, she could most certainly work her magic there and make it as successful.

  I quickly jogged over to where the guys were and followed their stares to see an attractive red head swing around the pole.

  "Sorry guys I've gotta make a move, Paige needs some furniture moving in her new house." I lied but it was the first thing I could think of.

  "Do you want a hand?" Diesel asked looking at me through narrowed eyes, as if he could see right through my lies.

  "Yeah I would actually."

  We rode our motorcycles over to Paige's house which wasn't far from the Bird Cage.

  "What does she need moving?" Diesel asked.

  "Sorry man I lied." Diesel raised his eyebrows obviously intrigued as to why I had brought him here. She hasn't come into work for the past two days and I don't know what I'm gonna find. I'm hoping she's just ill but my bet is that she's either high or drunk."

  Diesel didn't look amused but he held his tongue, and fell in line as I made my way to her front door.

  I banged loudly, "Paige, are you in there babe?" I glanced around the car park to see her car parked in one of the spaces further down the street. I banged again, "Paige!"

  Diesel crouched to look through the letter box, "Shit! Stand back Hound." I quickly moved out of his way as he swung his leg and made contact with the door just above the lock, with three swift kicks the door flew open.

  Paige was lying on the floor in a puddle of her own vomit and urine. I ran into the living room and flung myself down beside her, grabbing Paige under her chin I quickly tipped her head back to open her mouth and swiped my fingers around her opening to make sure her airways were clear.

  "Paige!" I shouted slapping her on the cheek, probably a little harder than needed but the adrenaline was pumping around my body.

  I saw a flicker of her eyelids and slapped her again, this time she started to stir and I felt a ray of hope. Placing my arm under her legs, I used the other to support her back and carried her to the bathroom, and climbed into the shower with her. I turned on the water and held my little girl in my arms under the warm spray trying to wake her fully but was still unsure as to what she had taken and how much.

  I knew Diesel would be calling Doc or James to get them over here to deal with Paige but they couldn't get here soon enough for my liking, I couldn't let anything happen to my little girl.

  I played out different scenarios as to why she may have taken something harmful in the first place and whether she'd purposely taken an overdose, I knew she had been unhappy but I didn't think things were that bad, for her to possibly want to take her life.

  I couldn't remember the last time that I'd held her or even told her that I loved her, my relationship with Paige was a strange one, in fact Paige had a strange relationship with everyone. She wouldn't show affection unlike her sister and I couldn't remember when she last enjoyed time with the family. She referred to Maggie and I, by our Christian names rather than calling us mum and dad, and I thought it was just a rebellious teenage thing at first but this had now carried on into her adult years. It was as if she was trying to punish us but for what, I just didn't know.

  I noticed that her body was slowly getting warmer and her pulse was stronger than earlier but still weak, I only hoped that Doc arrived soon.

  I glanced down at my precious daughter in my arms, "Why did you do this Paige?" I whispered as I held her close to my chest.

  There was a light knock on the door before Diesel opened it and stepped in, "Doc's here, we need to get her into the bedroom. He wants to check her vital signs and possibly hook her to an IV to get some fluids into her system."

  I stepped from the shower cubicle and walked to her bedroom, leaving a trail of water in my wake. Placing Paige onto the bed I stripped her from her wet clothes not allowing anyone else to help me or look at her in this vulnerable state, this was my baby girl and I needed to do this, I was her father. In her unglamorous state I noticed how fragile she looked, possibly a little under nourished and there were grazes to her cheek and shoulder but as I looked closely I could see the tell tale signs of an addict, the marks on her arms indicating that this certainly wasn't the first time that she had injected.

  I placed her carefully into her bed and stood back allowing Doc and James to now fuss around her, giving my baby the attention and care that she deserved.

  "She really needs to go to hospital dad." James said looking concerned.

  Doc shook his head, "You need to learn quickly, no hospitals are involved unless it's absolutely necessary. Now stop your whinging and get on with making her stable."

  Doc's tone surprised me but I was grateful as the two of them busied themselves to make Paige comfortable.

  While Doc and James were dealing with Paige, I made my way into the kitchen, and stripped down to my boxers to put my clothes into the tumble dryer, while I sat at the kitchen table with my head in my hands contemplating all that had gone on.

  "How you doing Hound?"

  I looked up to see Diesel leaning on the door frame, "Where did I go wrong?" I tried to rationalise Paige's actions.

  "You didn't. You've raised four cracking kids, you know what it's like, she's probably pushing boundaries trying to work out who she is or where she belongs."

  I shook my head, "No it's more than that, I know it is. Paige is strong, I've never seen her this vulnerable, this broken."

  "Well, only she can tell you what's up when she wakes." Diesel stepped further into the room, "Sorry, I nearly forgot I found this." Diesel handed me a DL sized white envelope with Frank written on the front in Paige's handwriting.

  "Fuck! You know what this means."

  Diesel looked at me unsure.

  "She didn't mean to wake up."

  An hour later Doc, James and Diesel had left, leaving me to care for Paige. She needed to rest, the IV was still connected to hydrate her and Doc had said that he would drop in later this evening to check on her progress.

  Before Diesel had left, he'd explained that he needed to tell Duke what had gone on this evening and I understood why. She was a club member's daughter and an employee, this shit could blow up in the clubs face so we needed to be ready in case there was any fallout. Diesel also stated that he would find out who her supplier was, which I was grateful for because after I had dealt with Paige I was gonna pay the fucker a visit.

  I let out a long sigh as I sat on the bed, I held the envelope with my name on it, unsure if I wanted to read what was in there. Paige had intended for me to read this when she had gone, was it still okay to read it now that she was going to survive? These words would be her most inner thoughts, was I ready to go to such a dark place?

  No, this letter was intended for me, I needed to read it and would deal with the consequences later.

  Frank,

  How do I try to explain all of the pain and hurt I've suffered over the years? How do I try to explain that although I tried to tell you on more than one occasion of this pain and suffering, I was rejected and turned away because my family had already passed judgement on me. I had been branded a troublemaker, a brat, moody, obnoxious, the list is endless but did you and Maggie ever wonder why I was all of these things?

  You were supposed to protect me, you were supposed to save me from all of the terrible things in the world but you brought the devil into our home, you brought the devil into my bed.

  I will never be able to forgive you for inviting Uncle Harry into my life and allowing him to do the unspeakable to his 'special niece'. You, Maggie and Chloe are to blame more than the person who committed the crime because you could've saved me, I so wanted you to save me.
<
br />   I've carried this pain around with me for so long, trying to find ways of coping but today I've decided to end it because I can't live with the hatred I have for myself any longer. Paige

  By the time I was nearing the end of the letter, tears were falling onto the paper, making the last paragraph hard to read. How had I not known what was going on under my roof? I had let Paige down on so many levels, her words reflected her hatred towards me and on reflection, I didn't deserve her forgiveness. I had done the unthinkable and had invited a monster into our home who had subjected my daughter to the most abhorrent thing ever.

  I scrunched the piece of paper in my hand as the hurt slowly turned to anger. I was going to kill him, the club didn't need to get involved with this, this was a father taking revenge for his daughter.

  "I'm gonna be sick." Paige turned onto her side and I managed to reach for the bowl and put it close to her mouth before she heaved. I placed my hand to her forehead, Paige's skin was clammy and pale, and she now had a slight temperature. Once she'd finished vomiting, I placed the bowl on the floor and held her arms lightly as I slowly positioned her back onto the bed, taking the face cloth from the bedside cabinet I placed it onto her brow to try to keep her cool.

  I was pulled between making the journey to Norwich to pay my brother a visit and wanting to stay and take care of Paige, as I should've done all of those years ago.

  "Frank I need to tell you something." She whispered hoarsely as her throat must have been dry from retching.

  I stroked her arm gently and she pulled away, shit I didn't think a simple kind gesture would make her recoil. I instantly tried to rack my brains of the last time she allowed me to hold or even touch her, and I couldn't think of a single time apart from when she was a little girl.

  "You don't have to tell me anything Paige, I've read your note."

  Her eyes grew wide but she instantly looked away not wanting to make eye contact, she had nothing to be ashamed of, it was I who felt ashamed for not protecting her.

  "I need to go out but I want someone to stay with you, is there anyone I can call?" I knew that she had pushed everyone away over the years and didn't have many friends, and that I'd struggle to get anyone to come and sit with her. She shrugged and rolled over on her side so that her back was towards me.

  Taking out my phone I text the only person I knew that would help me out of my predicament, Chloe.

  Can you please come over to your sister's house?

  Is everything okay?

  I'll tell you when you arrive.

  I'll be there in 10 x

  Chloe was different from Paige in so many ways but now I realised it was probably down to the abuse that Paige had endured over the years. Shit! Had he also molested the other three? I needed to ask Chloe, Tyler and Jayden if Harry had ever touched them, to understand the severity of the abuse although the outcome wouldn't change as Harry was going to die by my hands this evening.

  I left Paige's bedroom, pacing anxiously around the living room waiting for Chloe to arrive. How was I going to tell her what her sister had been through? How was I going to ask Chloe if she'd ever been molested? I was trying to keep my temper under control but the longer I waited the more I analysed the information, and I started to remember things that maybe I should've picked up upon all of those years ago.

  Harry didn't hesitate when I asked him to look after the children, now I obviously thought at the time that he was being helpful but now I wondered if he already knew what he was going to do to Paige.

  I briefly wondered if I should call Maggie but this would need explaining in person rather than a quick conversation over the phone, and I didn't have time for a hysterical wife at the moment, I needed to keep it together myself.

  I was pulled from my thoughts by a loud knock, I briskly walked to the door and opened it with some urgency.

  "What's so pressing dad?" Chloe asked as I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into my embrace, cupping her head and pulling her close to my chest. She moved her arms around my waist and held me equally as tight, probably wondering what this was all about but knew not to ask until I was ready to share.

  I pulled away slowly looking at her furrowed brows as she silently questioned me, "I need to ask you something and I want a straight yes or no answer."

  Chloe nodded her head but I saw the anguish on her face as she swallowed hard.

  "Were you ever molested as a child?"

  Chloe visibly relaxed as I asked the question which I found odd but she quickly pulled it together and shook her head, "No, never."

  I nodded my head relieved by her answer and leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. "I need you to sit with Paige, she's had a rough couple of days and has over done things."

  I didn't want to tell Chloe at this stage, if Paige wanted to share the information then it was up to her.

  "So why do you want me to sit with her? Paige and I are not exactly on speaking terms."

  "Because you're family and she doesn't have anyone else." I said harshly.

  Chloe nodded understanding my predicament. "So where are you going?"

  "I have business to attend to, there's someone I need to catch up with."

  I left Paige's house and stood in the car park breathing in the cold evening air trying to compose myself before I took the 100 mile journey to Norwich. I should've called Duke and explained the situation but I didn't want the club involved, this was something that I needed to deal with on my own, I needed to inflict pain, I needed to end his life.

  Chloe

  I walked through the house and into Paige's bedroom preparing myself for a barrage of abuse at invading her private space, I sniggered at the thought as I'd heard it all before. The vulgarity that sometimes came from her mouth would make some club members blush!

  Paige was asleep and I noticed the IV attached to her arm, dad was right when he said she'd gone at it hard, if she needed a drip. I was made aware of her illness from the pungent smell of vomit as I walked into the house earlier and I was now assuming that the towels on the living room floor were covering something vile. I decided to make myself useful and clear up the mess in the living room while Paige was asleep. I stood ready to leave the bedroom when my phone buzzed indicating that I had received a text, pulling my mobile from my pocket, I sat on the edge of the bed to read it.

  Can we meet up? We need to talk.

  If Woods was asking to talk, I assumed his meeting with Duke didn't go too well. My only saving grace was that Duke obviously hadn't informed my dad otherwise I would've walked into a barrage of questions from him regarding Woods, rather than the strange question of asking if I'd ever been molested. I quickly typed my response, I couldn't be dealing with this at the moment, I needed to look after Paige like my dad had asked me to.

  I'm with Paige and can't leave her. What's up?

  Paige? Is everything okay?

  I sniggered at his response. I was alone with my sister and he immediately thought something was wrong, that just showed how volatile our relationship was.

  Don't know yet? What do you need to talk about?

  I'd rather meet up and discuss further rather than communicate via text

  And there it was, those words told me what I knew was coming but I had hoped he may have been able to talk Duke around or maybe deep down, Woods didn't think that we had something worth fighting for.

  What's up? Don't you want to dump me by text? I get it, you've spoken to Duke.

  I was crushed but I wasn't going to come on too heavy, I knew deep down that this couldn't grow into a relationship as we had too many obstacles in the way.

  Why are you being so difficult? The least I owe you is an explanation for my decision.

  Yours or Duke's? Honestly Woods, I get it. Look I'm busy with Paige, I'll see you around.

  I knew what he wanted, Woods was a good bloke and he would want to sit down and discuss what had happened but if we couldn't be together, there was no point thrashing something out, if the outcome was
still going to be the same.

  Who's that you're texting? Paige asked as she rolled over onto her back.

  "No one."

  "Woods?" I glanced at her with confusion, how could she possibly know about Woods? She must have seen my puzzled expression, "I saw you two kissing at the party on Saturday."

  "And?" That didn't sound good, what had she done?

  "No one has ever looked at me, the way he looked at you Chloe."

  "What did you do Paige?"

  "I told Duke." She said quietly and looked almost humble, "I wanted to hurt you."

  "Why Paige, why would you want to hurt me so much? All of my life I've gone out of my way to be nice but you've been nothing but vile towards me. I can't even believe that I'm sitting here caring for you, after the way you behaved with Stephen and now you want to ruin another relationship of mine. You know what will happen to him, Dad will fucking kill him. Why Paige, I need to know why?" I had now lost control and was screaming at her, as tears pricked her eyes. At last she showed some emotion but it was too fucking late.

  "Because he didn't molest you!" She screamed back as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

  I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach and all of the air had been sucked from the room. I didn't say anything, I couldn't even find the words as my mouth bobbed open and closed, as I processed what she'd just said.

  "Why didn't he molest you Chloe? We are fucking identical! Why would he do it to me and not you?"

  Paige continued to cry and let out what looked to be years of grief but I couldn't do anything to make it all go away. I moved closer and wrapped my arms around her fragile body pulling her close, I could only hold her and let her cry but if she wanted to talk, I would be here for her. I lightly brushed the hair from her face with my fingers as the tears continued to flow, I had never seen Paige like this, she always displayed a hard exterior, she was never vulnerable.

  Once the sobbing had eased, I let go briefly to wipe the tears from her stained cheeks, and held her once more as I tried to rack my brains to figure out who may have caused her harm but I couldn't think of anyone.