by Abby Gale
“I’m fine. Really…just…just hug me, okay?” I said and nestled my head into the crook of his neck.
“Look at me,” he whispered and I lifted my head just enough to see his eyes.
“I don’t care if it’s early or if you’re not ready to hear it yet. But I knew what I felt today…I knew what these few hours did to me…I love you and you won’t be able to get rid of me,” he continued.
I opened my mouth to answer him but he stopped me by placing his index finger on my lips.
“You don’t have to say anything and I’m not letting you complain about this if that’s what you’re planning.”
I smiled and kissed his finger before answering him.
“I love you, too,” I whispered. I needed to say that to him. I realized how important they were for me and I wasn’t letting anything to stop me saying that.
“Flame?” I heard Xander’s voice came behind me and I turned to face him. He was too far away for my liking. His posture, the tension on his face squeezed my heart and I launched myself to his arms.
He kissed me roughly, his hands were on my cheeks, holding me like I was about to fly away from his grasp. I didn’t expect him to express his feelings through words. I didn’t have any complaints about his way. He kissed me till I got breathless and wrapped his arms around me. I didn’t know how to describe his hug better than bear hug. He was almost crushing my bones, but I didn’t care, to be honest. I wanted to mold in his arms.
“Dawn…” he whispered.
I hardly remembered he called me by my first name when I was with Angel but now I was fully aware. The emotion behind that one word was enough for me to kiss him again.
“I’m here,” I panted against his lips.
“You’re stupid. Why on earth would you leave with that fucking bastard?! What if…”
“I’m here, Xander.”
“Dawn…” he sighed.
“Dawn…I…I think I…” he was out of words. He frowned to find a way to say what he wanted to say. I knew how he felt and I knew it wasn’t easy for him to express those feelings.
“Shh…it’s okay. I love you, too,” I whispered at him and he kissed me again, with so much passion.
“I wanna see Angel,” I said and we walked to the ambulance.
That’s when I heard her screams.
“Angel!” I ran off to her.
She screamed in pain and they carried her inside the ambulance.
“What’s wrong?! What’s happening?! Angel!” I cried out.
“Baby is coming. She’s in labor.” One of the paramedics told me and I got into the ambulance.
“I’m her sister. Help her, please,” I hold Angel’s hand and cried.
Three Months Later
DAWN
“Where are you going?” Xander asked and started to nibble my neck.
“Mmm…to the club.”
“Why?” Xander nuzzled into my neck.
“I’m gonna talk to Harley,” I moaned.
“I don’t like you’re going alone,” he growled and licked my earlobe.
“You should come with me, too. You own the club, anyway,” I offered but couldn’t stop grinding my hips to his erection.
“I can’t. Fucking Alex. He should have been here.”
“Hey, don’t say that. It was a great exhibition. He deserved all the attention he got. Did you really expect him to decline an offer like that?”
“No. Okay…Get ready, I’ll take you to the club.” Xander said and headed to the bathroom.
Alex was in Canada for another exhibition. He was invited to take photos for an art show. After all the chaos Alex’s exhibition was the greatest thing that happened to all of us. Even Angel smiled that day. She was the closest I’d seen to her real self at the exhibition.
I missed Alex, though. It was one week and no matter how Xander was trying to spend as much time as he could, Alex’s absence was obvious.
I put my beanie on when Xander got out of the shower and I watched him while dressing up. My mind was on Angel, though. She was having a hard time adjusting to normal life again. She was still in the clinic but I missed her so much, it became painful.
Her mind was so confused. She wasn’t happy, I could easily see that.
She was numb, her eyes were distant, empty—I was scared for her. She still couldn’t see her baby. Every time she saw the boy she started to cry. She didn’t want to see him after she named him.
MJ…Mason Jackie… My dad and my mom.
They were alive in that little boy.
“Let’s go.” Xander said and we both left the room.
I quickened my steps when I heard MJ’s cry.
“Oh, Stacey! I’m so glad you’re here. Is everything alright?” I sighed in relief when I saw Stacey was holding him in her arms.
“How are you, baby boy?” I cooed at him while caressing his cheek.
After staying in the newborn ICU for one month, he looked healthy now. He was so beautiful, totally adorable. I loved him like my own.
“Stacey, I need to go to the club. Will you be okay with MJ?” I asked her.
“Of course. We’re good, aren’t we handsome?” she cooed at MJ as well. He was hard to not love.
I breathe in his sweet baby scent and smiled at Stacey.
“I won’t be long. I just wanna check on everything in the club then I’ll be right back,” I said and left the room after her nod.
“Is everything okay with the baby?” Xander asked.
“MJ, Xander. His name is MJ,” I rolled my eyes at him.
“I cannot help but remembering his cocksucker of a father every time I looked at him.” Xander said. During Angel’s stay in the clinic, MJ was living with us and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Xander was in love with the boy, I knew it. But it was still hard for him to accept it. He was at war with himself.
“Hey! He is my nephew and he is my sister’s baby not that bastard’s, okay?” I told him and I didn’t push too much because I knew he was trying.
“Let’s go to the club,” he murmured and we went to the car.
֎
“Dawn!” Harley wrapped her arms around me.
“How are you, doll? This club…wow, you’ve done great.”
I was looking around the club in awe.
After Will got arrested, the court decided that the club should be sold. Even though everyone thought it was a bad idea, I convinced the Vincent brothers and they bought the club. Now, club was a totally different place than before.
It was a club of male strippers. Harley and Sage were co-managers of the club and the Vincent brothers weren’t interfering into the ladies’ job.
“Have you decided on the name of the club?” I asked Harley after we took our seats at the main area.
“Yep. Man’s World.”
“Man’s World? You were so determined to make this club about female domination.”
“Yeah. It is ironic actually. Man’s world is ruled by women,” she winked at me.
“Hmm…Okay, I like the sound of it. Did you find the dancers?”
“Yeah. It will be great. It will be like Magic Mike in here,” she said and clapped her hands in excitement.
“Where is Sage?”
“Not Sage. It’s Veronica from now on,” I heard Sage said behind me. I jumped to my feet and hugged her.
“Okay, girl. Don’t suffocate me.” Sage said and took a seat on our table.
“Did Alex come back?” Harley asked.
“No. He had to stay one more week,” I sighed.
“Hey, Canada isn’t far. You can go to him,” she offered.
“I know but I’m visiting Angel every day in the clinic. I don’t want her to feel abandoned.”
“How is your sister?” Sage asked.
“Not well, but she’s getting better.”
“She’s been through so much, Dawn. Give her time. She’ll be alright,” she reassured me.
“I hope so,” I sighed.
“Wh
ere is Salem?” I asked.
“She’ll be here soon. She is our new DJ, did you know that?” Harley said with excitement again.
“What? That’s great.”
“And Katia has the permission to work here now, thanks to Fabien. She’ll work as a bartender here,” I was glad she didn’t feel bad about working here. After the whole Mike-Will incident, I learned that Mike was abusing Katia.
The voices I’d heard in the hallway, the bruise on her neck, and all the anxiety she felt were because of Mike. I couldn’t help but think that if I didn’t start to work here, Mike would have taken Katia as a replacement for Angel. The thought sent chills through my body and I quickly dismissed it.
Harley clapped her hands and brought me back to the moment.
“And hold on for the big news! Pax will be one of our waitresses,” she giggled.
“What? Did he really accept that?” I laughed.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t he?” she shrugged.
“What’s up with you and Fabien?”
“Don’t ask that, Dawn. They are trying to eat each other constantly. Trust me, it’s getting disgusting after a while.” Sage groaned.
“Ah, don’t mind her. Fabien is great. We are great.” Harley wiggled her eyebrows.
“Good, I’m glad to hear that,” I said but she didn’t stop talking. She continued to give me every detail about him, about their relationships…I mean “every” detail.
After half an hour, I left the club with a smile on my face.
This club held a bad history, but from now on, it had the power to put a smile on my face. It would be all about the good things in our lives.
Three Years Later
ANGEL
“Happy birthday, MJ!” Dawn was singing the birthday song for MJ.
We all clapped our hands while my little boy blew out all the candles. His smile was adorable.
“Auntie,” he said after examining his toy car and wrapped his little arms around Dawn’s neck. It was his way of thanking. He preferred to show affection rather than using words. Because of this he was still talking with one-word sentences. Even though he could easily handle a long conversation. He had a deep, silent intelligence that was shocking for a three-year-old boy. Sometimes I thought he understood more than he should.
“Happy birthday, little man.” Xander said and lifted MJ to his arms.
A part of me broke when I saw how MJ looked at Xander. There was clear affection and awe in his face. He had the same look when Alex gave him his present. MJ studied his present with intelligent eyes and smiled at him.
“Uncles,” he said and tried to wrap his arms around both Alex and Xander.
Me?
I was watching them from a far.
“Mommy?” MJ called out for me. His voice was so mature for a boy at that age. I haven’t been a good mother to him but he didn’t give up on me with his little heart. I smiled at him but my mind wasn’t proper enough. After two years of professional help I wasn’t on the right track, yet. I didn’t even know if I’d ever be normal again.
“I’m coming, baby boy. I’ll just bring the knife to slice your cake, okay?” I said and he nodded his head. I felt Dawn’s eyes on me and reassured her with a smile.
She knew I sometimes needed the time alone. I was glad she didn’t push too far.
I walked into the house back and frowned when I heard the voices from television. Dawn must have forgotten it on.
I walked to the voice and stopped dead in my place.
Today, Michael Harrison was found stabbed in his prison cell and pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital. The victim’s brother, William Harrison, a current prison inmate, has been arrested for the alleged murder.
It was three years ago when the Harrison brothers were convicted with life sentences for multiple counts of rape, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and obstruction of justice. .
I couldn’t look away from the TV screen. I felt like my body was surrounded with ice. My skin prickled and the ground spun under me. I put my hand to the wall for support.
No one knew what I’d been through. No one understood my feelings.
Everyone thought I was about to be cured. But I wasn’t…I was beyond the limit to be cured.
I missed his face…
I was in love with my nightmare and even though I knew it was wrong I couldn’t help myself.
After two years of professional help, I couldn’t erase his marks from my body or from my soul. This was sick…my feelings for him weren’t normal. I should hate him. I should have been happy that he was dead but here I was…crying over my kidnapper, my rapist…and the dad of my baby boy.
MJ…My boy…
Everyone thought he was named after our parents, Mason and Jacqueline aka Jackie. Dawn was so happy I named him that way.
But in my sick mind he wasn’t Mason Jackie Darcia…
He was Michael Junior Harrison…
But no one would know about it. This was my secret and it would stay that way until I die.
THE END??
A QUESTION FOR MY READERS
You remember Angel photos? They were holding a secret.
Alex found some secret letters in the photos.
Now…
You have the letters…
You’ve read the story…
What’s the secret message?
Email me ;)
Violet is the first semi-standalone book in The Club Nymph Series. I left some little details to the reader’s imagination. But if you want to find out some specific details, the series will continue with Angel’s story.
If you’re happy to fill the blanks yourself, that’s exactly fine. But if you want to know what happens in my mind, please wait for the next book.
I hope you enjoyed this book. Because it is my debut and I’m both nervous and excited. Please, leave a review for me on Goodreads and Amazon. This will help me see what you think.
Thank you!
Okay…We came to the most emotional part for me. This is where I’ll say my “thank you”s. It will be long because so many people helped me in this writing journey and I know no matter how long it is I’ll still forget a few names to put here. But please read it all and see how many great people are out there!
First of all I want to thank YOU. Yes, you. For choosing my book from the ocean of books instead of another one. For taking your time to read my book, spending your time with my heroes and heroine. You’re precious to me and I love you. Do not ever forget that.
Now…I want to thank to great people in my life. I want to start with some amazing authors.
ALESSANDRA TORRE (Author of Black Lies and more)… Alessandra, I think I can say you are the reason I’ve started to write this book. Because you introduced me with NaNoWriMo and I started to write this book after that. I found Shh and awesome Shhluts thanks to you. Simply, you changed my life. You’re not just an amazing author, you’re an amazing woman beyond your writer persona. Thank you for everything.
SCOTT HILDRETH (Author of Selected Sinners MC Series and more)…For readers out there: If you haven’t read a book by Scott Hildreth, what are you waiting for? Buy his book and read. Scott Hildreth is someone you should definitely meet. He is wise and funny. Also, he is approachable and a great author. I’m thankful that I’ve met him because he gave me lots of great information about writing and self-publishing. I appreciate it, Scott…I would be lost without you!
MIA SHERIDAN (Author of Archer’s Voice, “my favorite” Becoming Calder and more)…Thank you for becoming my friend instead of reporting me as your stalker! I would drink in, breathe in your books yet you supported me, the newbie, with so much excitement. You have an amazing heart behind those words you’ve written. And I’m feeling privileged to have met you. Thank you, Mia!
SLOANE HOWELL (Author of Matriarch, Panty Whisperer, and more)…Sloane, thank you so much just for being you. You are my favorite male author without any doubt. I think I’ve read all of your books an
d I will read more and more (even your shopping lists if that will not make me a stalker!). You deserve all the success you’ve achieved. I can never forget your support and your friendship on my writing journey. Thank you!
JOSHUA EDWARD SMITH (Author of Entropy, Duality, and more)…Joshua, you helped me beyond I can describe with words. In the tight deadline, you didn’t only offer me a help you also became a guide, and a teacher to me. Yes, you made this book better but also, you helped me to be a better writer in the long journey. I cannot thank you enough, but I’ll try anyway: Thank you!
ANA MEDEIROS (Author of The Raven Room Trilogy)… Ana, thank you so much for believing in me. Thank you so much for writing The Raven Room. I’m so glad I’ve read that book because that book didn’t give me just a good story it also gave me a great friend like you. Thank you so much for encouraging me and supporting me in every turn of my writing journey.
AIDAN WILLOWS (Author of Falling Completely)…I cannot believe a message has the power to change our lives, to give us new friends. I’m so glad that you wrote me that message. First, I was introduced to your writing, your characters and loved them like my own. Then, I have met the person behind all those sweet, intelligent, funny, warm words and that person is all of those things and more. I’m proud to call you my friend, Aidan! Thank you for all your support, for being a shoulder for me to cry on. And…Give me your next book!!!
OM WILLS (Author of ASNAD Series)…This man writes lots of dirty/smutty things. And let’s admit we all love those kind of things. So, keep his name in your mind and read his books. You won’t be disappointed. Also, he is a great guy you must meet! Thank you for all your support, man!
Thank you to CELIA AARON (Author or Acquisition Series and more), ELIZABETH BROWN (Author of The Lessons and more), CJ ENGLISH (Author of Affairytale) and KI LYNN for helping me in one way or another on this journey. You all supported me, shared your experiences with me, and gave me information on a lot of things. Simply, you all helped me keep my sanity in check. Thank you so much!
