*
Chastity sat on the bed in the expensive-looking suite. Washing the criminal off her skin felt wonderful. She could have reported it to the police, but why bother? She didn’t see his face, his clothing, nothing, other than his medium frame. There were probably a million guys with that same build in Detroit. When he’d grabbed her purse, she straightened her arm to give it to him, but the thug beat her up anyway.
She felt safe now, though. Under normal circumstances, she would never go to a stranger’s hotel room, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. In the morning, she’d explain what happened, to her boss, and look for a new place to live. After Joey pick her up, Chastity would only have a few hours to accomplish everything she had to get done, Being late for work, or calling in sick, could cause her to get terminated.
When she finally fell asleep, a nightmare caused her to throw off the covers, swing her legs over the side of the bed, and stand. Even though Joey was a man she didn’t know, Chastity would feel safer if he was here. She took a pillow and blanket off the bed and carried them to the living room. Her ribs, jaw, and leg throbbed, but it wasn’t like pain was new to her. She couldn’t lie down again, but it wasn’t because of her injuries. Her fear of another nightmare left her sitting up the rest of the night, with her eyes wide open.
Chapter Seven
Cameron Barron couldn’t sleep on Mark’s stiff leather sofa. He almost fell off twice while tossing and turning. The images of Chastity’s bruised face, and her screams, stayed in his mind. She was safe, for the time being, and that brought him some comfort, until he thought about her sneaking out of his hotel room. He’d have to call her soon. Right now, he needed coffee. He got up and put a pot on, buttoned his shirt, and replaced his tie. It was going to be a long day, and he’d probably smell like shit by the time he returned to his room to change. As the coffee brewed, Jayden arrived bright-faced and cheerful. Cameron didn’t know if she was excited to return to work, or if she was elated because she didn’t have to make the coffee.
“Good morning, Sir,” she said softly. She could probably tell that he’d been at the office all night. Cameron ran his fingers through his hair to fix the strands that were sticking up.
“Hi, Jayden. How are you?” He wasn’t a morning person, so his greeting came out as a grumble.
“Any luck with Chastity?” Geez, you don’t waste any time, do you? he thought.
“Yes, as a matter of fact. She’s in my hotel room right now.” He picked up his mug and stood in front of the coffee maker. Patience wasn’t going to be one of his virtues today.
“She’s what?! You slept with her?” Jayden’s mouth was agape.
“Calm down. No, I didn’t sleep with her. Chastity got the bed, and I slept on the sofa in Mark’s office.” He glared at his secretary in a silent warning.
“Wait. What? How did she end up in your hotel?” Jayden asked him accusingly.
“Chastity was attacked last night, down the block from her apartment. I didn’t see her get jumped, but her screams were piercing. By the time I reached her, the pansy-ass had stolen her purse, roughed her up, and fled. I wasn’t about to let her stay in her apartment, and she had nowhere else to go. I’ll pick her up when the bank opens and drive her there.” The coffee was still brewing. Cameron made a mental note to buy a new coffee maker.
“Oh my God! Is she okay?” Jayden lifted her keys and purse from the desk.
“Her face and ribs are bruised.” Cameron was getting visuals of her again. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to storm over there right now. Oh, and one more little detail. She doesn’t know who I am.” He mentally braced himself for her barrage of questions.
“You’re kidding, right?” Jayden shook her head and stared at him. “You didn’t tell her who you are…”
“Chastity thinks I’m Joey Duffy, my best friend. It’s the only name I could come up with. She wasn’t exactly making sweet comments about Cameron Barron. I’ll tell her the truth today, when I see her.” He poured himself a cup of coffee, before it was finished dripping.
“You think this is a game?” She was talking through clenched teeth, and Cameron worried she’d quit again.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision, Jayden. I couldn’t exactly get her to a safe area, without…embellishing the truth. There was no way she was going to go anywhere with me.” She was making him feel even more exhausted. “If you don’t feel comfortable with bending the truth, then don’t talk to her.” He stormed into his office, before he choked her.
“I don’t like this, Cameron!” She rushed in behind him.
“Give me time to show her what a great guy I am, then I’ll tell her. But right now, leave things alone. She thinks I’m an attorney for Barron National, so she knows I have ties here. I’m still working out the details, but my goal is to get her moved out of that neighborhood and back to her old job.” He watched her face soften.
“Do you think you can do it? Get her to return to the mailroom?” Cameron could see the longing in her eyes.
“I’ll do my best. If you disclose my identity, we’ll never see her again. God knows what’ll happen to her then. In the meantime, Jayden, I need all of your information on Mark Twiller.” She frowned and left the room. Cameron hoped she wasn’t on her way to the phone to place a call to his hotel room. She returned with a thick folder and placed it on his desk.
“I copied everything last night. This is all I have.” She handed it to him, and almost looked embarrassed. “If the prosecutors have any questions, have them contact me.” When Jayden left, she closed his door.
*
The phone rang, scaring the hell out of Chastity. She reluctantly answered it after a few rings.
“Hey, Chastity. How’d you sleep?” asked Joey, sounding pleasant.
“Not great. You don’t have to take me to the bank. I can see the bus stop from here. I went downstairs this morning, and the front desk gave me change for one of the fifty-dollar bills and the bus schedule. While I’m downtown, I’ll speak with my boss—” She was starting to ramble, but couldn’t help it. Chastity hated being a bother to anyone.
“I’m getting in my car right now. Stay put, please. For all you know, the guy who mugged you could be on that bus.” She had thought about that herself, but what was she going to do? Run from her attacker for the rest of her life?
“I’ll be at the door in a few minutes.” Chastity thought for a moment before agreeing. If he drove her to the bank, she’d be in town and could do the rest of her errands on her own. Walking to her apartment would be safe in daylight, and when she got to work, she’d offer the stock guys a couple of dollars to drive her home tonight.
She was satisfied with her plan, but soon realized she’d have to put her dirty clothes back on. There was a small bloodstain on her sweater, and both it and her jeans were covered with dirt. Chastity brushed them off the best she could, got dressed, and used Joey’s comb, which was sitting on the bathroom counter. Her face wasn’t as swollen, but the bruising was worse. She’d probably get a million comments and questions from the shoppers at Melbourne’s.
When Joey arrived, she was ready to go. Hopefully the regulars were working at the bank, because she didn’t have her license anymore. He knocked and announced himself, before opening the door.
“Hey,” greeted Joey. Chastity watched his eyes roam over her. She brushed off her clothing again, thinking she’d missed some spots.
“Sorry, I didn’t have anything to change into.” Joey held up a finger as if to tell her to wait a minute. He returned holding a pair of gray sweats and a red t-shirt. “These will be a little big, but they’re good enough until we can pick up your clothes.” He smiled, but Chastity didn’t. She graciously declined his offer.
“I’ve decided to go back to my apartment, Joey, so after you drive me to the bank, I’ll walk the few blocks home.” Her neighborhood wasn’t unsafe during the day.
“No, you’re not living there anymore.” He looked at her and narrowe
d his eyes. There was something familiar about them, but his face was what you’d expect for a young, wealthy attorney.
“Let’s go to the bank, and we can discuss it when I come out.” As held the door open, she tucked her limp hair behind her ears and walked into the hallway. At least her clothes didn’t look too bad since she’d spot cleaned them in the bathroom.
They didn’t talk very much on the way to town. She thought he’d wait in the car while she went inside the bank, but that didn’t happen. Joey climbed out of the SUV, ran around to her door, and opened it. He followed her, despite her protests. He was becoming an old mother hen, and Chastity had just met the guy last night.
She went to the manager’s office and waved at her from the doorway. Thankfully, she knew Chastity.
“Come on in!” Marilyn York helped Chastity set up her checking and saving accounts when she first moved to Detroit. “It’s so good to see you. Come on in and have a seat.”
Chastity sat in the chair, while Joey stood in the doorway. She wanted to tell him to go back to the car, but she knew he wouldn’t budge. It’d be like telling a mosquito to go away.
After explaining the situation to Marilyn, Chastity asked for a withdrawal slip. “Your license, checkbook…the man who stole your purse has everything, Chastity. To protect you, we’ll have to close your accounts and make new ones. I can give you the two-hundred dollars you’re requesting, though.” Her new balance wasn’t much, and Chastity would have to figure out a way to make it stretch for three weeks, until she got paid.
When she returned to the SUV with Joey, he opened her door, but she didn’t get in. Instead, she pulled a hundred dollars out of the bank envelope and handed it to him. With her remaining money, she’d go to the thrift store and pick out a purse, stop by Melbourne’s, then walk home.
“That’s your money, Chastity. I gave it to you. Get in, and let me know where our next stop is.” He smiled, but it was clear he wasn’t giving her an option.
Joey had to park a block away from the thrift shop. He put some quarters in the parking meter, and escorted her up the street. His eyes were darting around, his facial expression was serious, while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Chastity started to shrug away from him, but it was easier for her to just keep her mouth shut and let him play security guard.
When they reached the thrift store, she turned to walk inside. Joey’s eyebrows rose when he walked through the door behind her. Chastity went straight to the purses and wallets. None of them looked new, so she picked the nicest one off the rack. It was gold, brown, orange, and green striped, and very ugly, but it looked sturdy. She found a light blue wallet, and though it didn’t match, it was big enough to hold her checkbook.
“These will do,” she mumbled, and headed for the check out. She didn’t want to waste anymore of Joey’s time, especially since he was already standing by the door, looking out the window. Suddenly, before the cashier took the money, he rushed to her side and grabbed her hand.
“We’ve decided to shop around. Thank you, though.” He practically pulled her out of the store.
“I need that purse and wallet!” Chastity pulled her hand free, but Joey grabbed it again and continued outside.
“Come with me. We’re going to find you something nice. It’ll be my gift!” he exclaimed, when they reached a store that sold things she couldn’t afford. Chastity had been in there once, but within two minutes, she’d left.
“I can’t let you do this!” Joey ignored her, held the door open, and pointed inside.
“Get in there, or I’ll pick out a purse and wallet myself. You really don’t want me to do that,” he winked playfully.
Chastity didn’t argue with him, because there were several people around. Avoiding scenes was her specialty, especially when she looked like she’d been in a boxing ring.
“What color do you like?” he asked, after asking the sales girl where the purses were.
“I don’t have a favorite. Listen, Joey. I appreciate your offer, but this place is—She stopped, but he wrapped his arm around her shoulders again and guided her to the back of the store.
She became even more uncomfortable, when she saw the price tag on a brown leather purse. It made her gasp. “Let’s go, Joey. This purse costs more than three month’s rent. No.”
“Do you like it?” He looked like a little kid, picking out a toy.
“Yes, but—”
“Now we have to find a wallet. They’re over here.” He tucked the purse under his arm and pointed across the aisle. “Do you want it to match? I really don’t know anything about this stuff.” Chastity almost laughed. He was digging through the wallets like a five-year-old.
“This one is big enough for my checkbook, and it matches the purse, but really? Look how much it is!” When she replaced the wallet, he snatched it up. “Is there anything else you’d like to look at? They sell clothes, too. Definitely never allow me to pick those out…” She shook her head, then Joey wrapped his hand around hers, and led her to the check-out line. The total made Chastity’s jaw drop. Once again, he ignored her objections.
“Now where to?” he asked, as they were leaving.
“Joey, you can go back to work now, I’m fine. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. It’s been really nice meeting you.” She offered her hand to him, but he didn’t accept it.
“You didn’t answer my question, Chastity. Where are we going next? You were attacked last night, so I’m not leaving you alone. Everything I have to do for work can be taken care of over the phone.” Joey’s firm stare could stop a train.
“Melbourne’s Market. I have to go speak with my boss, so he isn’t upset with me.” Chastity had no doubts that Mr. Melbourne would understand her explanation.
They walked silently to the market, but Joey remained on high alert. He stayed glued to Chastity’s side, so no one could walk between them. When they reached her job, everyone in the market stopped to stare. It didn’t take long for her to realize the people were staring at Joey. He was very attractive, but they were most likely shocked that he was with someone like her. She tried to cover her bruised jaw with her hand.
*
Cameron was pretty damn good at judging people. He had to be, in his line of business, and right now, the staff and patrons in the market, were staring at Chastity like she was hideous. Her face was bruised, and he could tell she was trying to cover it up. The more their facial expressions twisted, the more pissed off he became. He wrapped his hands around her arms, gently turned her towards him, and kissed her forehead. At that moment, he could feel every ounce of her pain, because he knew what it was like to be different.
His parents had very little money when he was growing up. The clothes he wore came from church donations and often didn’t fit. He was skinny, scrawny, and shorter than most, and the only one who didn’t pick on him was Joey. Cameron’s life would have been even more unbearable without his friend and the scholarship he’d received to attend UCLA. Chastity, he knew, was living through the adult version of his childhood. And he’d be damned if anyone was going to make her feel less than.
He stayed outside the office while she spoke with her boss. Cameron couldn’t hear what was being said, but Chastity’s face, when she walked out, spoke volumes. Once they left the market, she began blinking back tears.
“I’m going to head home, Joey. I lost my job.” Cameron had to force himself not to go inside and talk to the old man. Without thinking, he brought up the very place she’d fled from. If he could just get her to come back to her old job, then he’d make sure she had enough money. Trying to hand her cash again would only make her feel worse.
“I heard Cameron Barron’s secretary, I can’t think of her name, complaining they were short-staffed. You could probably get your old job back.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“You don’t understand. I can’t face anyone there, especially after I reacted so drastically. I really need the income, but—”
“Ca
meron is flying home to L.A. You’ll never see him again.” He knew it was true. Once the paperwork was in the prosecutor’s hands, he would return to his main office. Before he left, though, he’d have Jayden offer her a nice monetary incentive and increase her hourly rate. If she was financially taken care of, he wouldn’t feel bad for leaving.
“Even so, everyone knows what happened. Gossip is probably all over that building.” When she lowered her head, the sun made her bruises stand out more.
“That dance you were talking about is coming up. I was invited, but I don’t have a date. Hey, why don’t you come with me? That’ll give you an opportunity to break the ice with the staff. If people run their mouths, or treat you unkind, we’ll leave.” Cameron wasn’t worried about anything going wrong. He would have Jayden tell Chastity there was an emergency, right after they arrived, and that he needed to leave. He wouldn’t be at that damn dance long enough to be recognized. By then, Jayden would have Chastity under her wings and he’d be on his way home.
“Your date? I haven’t been on one of those in a few years! I don’t even own a dress that fits me. I’ve lost a lot of weight, and I can’t afford a new wardrobe.” She laughed, but he could see her face flush.
“Come on,” Cameron said, as he led her back to his SUV.
*
Chastity stepped out of the dressing room in the mall, wearing a beautiful, but pricey, black dress Joey had picked out. It was painful when she’d reached her arms up to slide the dress on, and she couldn’t fasten the clasp in the back. The neck hung low in the front and the hemline was too short, but the material felt soft against her skin. Even before her accident, Chastity had never worn a more glamourous dress. She took her socks and sneakers off, so she wouldn’t look even more ridiculous. Her body paled in comparison to what she was wearing. She held her hand against the neckline so he wouldn’t get a glimpse of her worn-out bra.
First, he looked into her eyes. It was difficult not to run back inside the fitting room and hide behind the door.
