Beautifully damaged boxs.., p.7
Beautifully Damaged Boxset, page 7
“Yeah, that sucked. The leg sucks. I should be out of your hair already, but now you’re stuck with me.”
Holden didn’t respond as he carried me up another flight of stairs from the main floor and down a hallway. “My room is next to yours if you need anything.” He nodded to it as we passed by, then strolled through an open door.
“Crutches? Are you withholding them, so I don’t try to run again?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you keeping me a prisoner?” I gasped, and my hand flew to my mouth in mock surprise.
Holden laughed and set me down on a queen-sized bed. Instead of white furniture like in his sister’s room, it was all a dark, rich brown wood. The bed had a million baby-blue-and-cream throw pillows and a matching comforter.
“No, it’s just that everyone showed up and I forgot. Where’s your phone?”
“In my bag.” I sat up, realizing it wasn’t here and neither was my weapon. “Shit, it’s in the downstairs bedroom along with my knife.”
“I’ll get it for you. I’ll program my number into your cell so you can text or call if you need anything. I’m hoping you’ll sleep through the night, though.”
I tried to suppress my yawn but didn’t win the fight. “Who’s the lesbian in the group?”
Holden’s head tilted in question. “Are you? A lesbian I mean?”
“Nope, but I’m not opposed to experimenting.”
Holden’s brows shot to his hairline and the corner of his lips pulled up into a smile. “You’re wasted. I doubt you’ll even remember you said that by tomorrow.”
“Maybe, but I really don’t have an issue with it. I think gay people are human beings just like the rest of us and I don’t give a flying fuck who they love or sleep with.” I shrugged a shoulder.
Holden’s dark eyes searched me. “Are you bi?”
“No. I’ve had sex twice with a guy … willingly. It wasn’t great sex. I was sixteen and it was mostly fumbling around until he found the hole.”
Holden’s chuckle filled the room. “It takes a little bit of practice for a guy to learn their way around.”
I blew out a sigh. “To be fair, I haven’t ever been with a girl, so I don’t know if I would like it or not. Based on my two measly experiences, I definitely like dick.”
Holden laughed so hard his chest shook, his eyes dancing with amusement. “I’m glad to hear it.” He reached up and brushed the tips of his fingers against my cheek. “Is your face feeling better?”
I froze but didn’t pull away, then he lowered his hand to his leg. If he wanted to rape me, he had the perfect opportunity. I kicked the fear in the ass and redirected my thoughts.
“Dude, everything feels good right now.” I huffed out a laugh and smiled. “But who’s … wait.” I smacked my palm against my forehead. “This doesn’t make sense. There are two women downstairs, and Becky has basically pissed all over you marking her territory. I mean we’re cousins.” I used air quotes to emphasize cousin. “I have no clue why she perceives me as a threat unless you’re into incest and I just don’t know that about you yet.”
Holden’s nostrils flared. “Gross. No.”
“I didn’t get the vibe that Brynn was bi, but I’m not myself right now. Maybe I missed it.”
“Those things are easy to miss. Becky is bi.”
“Ahh. Well, you didn’t need to warn her away from me. She already hates me.”
He scratched his head, and an uncomfortable smile fluttered on his lips. “Please ignore her. Her bark is worse than her bite.”
I leaned against the pillows, my brain hopping topics like a train running off the tracks. “Why?” My fingertips traced his angular jaw. “Why are you the black sheep? You’ve been nothing but kind to me ever since … this morning. What makes you so bad, Holden Alastair?”
Holden wrapped his large hand around mine. “One day I’ll tell you, but only if you share as well. Your secrets run dark and deep, and hopefully you’ll trust me with them.” He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, then stood. “I’ll get your bag and grab a bottled water, along with your meds.”
I didn’t miss the sadness in Holden’s eyes. The regret.
“Thanks,” I said softly, my heart thumping erratically against my rib cage. Apparently, the pain meds not only made me feel vulnerable but bold. No way would I have allowed Holden to touch me without them.
I wiggled down into the bed, wondering whose bedroom this was. Images raced through my mind, recapping the last twenty-four hours as I stared at the white tray ceiling. This time last night, I’d been freezing my ass off in Holden’s recycling bin after running for my life. I shook my head at how everything had changed so damned fast. Even though I had a broken leg, I was in a beautiful home filled with luxuries. It would be hard to leave, but this wasn’t where I belonged, and I knew it.
A sharp pain shot through my body, waking me from a sound sleep.
“Wake up, Cousin River.” Becky glared at me, then kicked my broken leg again.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I clenched my fists, ready to deck her if she got close enough.
“Here’s your bag.” Becky tossed it on the bed. “But this is interesting.” She held up my knife, the blade reflecting the soft light of the lamp Holden must have turned on.
“Give it to me. You have no right to go through my things.” I sat up, my mind automatically calculating how to defend myself. I hated to deflate Becky’s ego, but I’d faced a lot worse than her.
“I have a right to do anything I want.” Becky scrambled up the bed and over me, pinning me down when she straddled my waist. She leaned over me, her sneer full of anger. “I know you’re not his cousin. I’m not sure what you’re trying to hide, but I’m not buying any of it. I’ve known Holden since grade school and not once has he ever mentioned you.”
“Our mothers have been estranged for years.” I remained still, waiting for the right time to buck her off me. Since I couldn’t run, I had to make sure I was close enough to the lamp so I could smash it over her head.
Becky leaned forward and pressed the blade of the knife against my throat, then licked my cheek. “You taste like white trash.”
“I am white trash, bitch. Tell me something I don’t know,” I snarled. She was really pissing me off. “What the hell do you want?”
“Leave. I don’t care if you can walk or not. Leave by tomorrow and don’t ever contact Holden again. If you do ...” With a lethal glint in her eyes, she applied pressure to the knife, and I yelped as it pierced my skin.
“Why? Why am I such a threat to you?” I realized I should shut up, but apparently, the pain meds had me chattering away even when my life depended on me not saying another goddamned word.
“Because he cares about you, and I’m not going to lose my chance at marrying the wealthiest bachelor in the Pacific Northwest. He’s mine, so take your sob story somewhere else.” She leaned down, her breath tickling my ear as she spoke. “Don’t ever repeat what I’m about to tell you. The Alastair family … Holden’s family isn’t who they say they are. You need to leave. I’m sorry I hurt you, but this has to look legit.”
Alarmed by her words, I froze. “What do you mean?” My body betrayed me and trembled beneath her.
Before Becky could continue, a movement caught the corner of my eye, and I tensed, preparing to punch her as soon as her attention left me.
“Becky, get the fuck off her right now.” Holden’s deep voice roared through the room.
Becky gasped and looked at Holden, the knife slipping from my neck. In one quick move, I hit her in the jaw, and she reeled backward, then onto the floor.
Holden took two long strides and stepped on her wrist with his bare foot. “Drop the knife.”
Becky whimpered as she released it. “You’re sick, Holden. You need therapy. She’s trash and everyone knows she’s not your cousin. For God’s sake, you only met her today. Why are you protecting her?”
Those were excellent questions that I would love the answers to as well.
“Because she has something that you never will.” He ground out the response, his jaw tightening.
I peered at Becky, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. If she wasn’t careful, she would cry those fake eyelashes off.
“What’s that?” she asked, hiccupping through her sobs.
“A heart.” Holden knelt and collected my knife. “Get out. You’re not welcome here anymore. No one threatens River’s life and gets away with it. If I ever find out that you’ve talked to her again, you’ll regret it.” Holden lifted his foot and moved next to the bed, shielding me from her.
Becky scrambled off the floor and glowered at us. “This isn’t over.” With that, she stomped out of the room and down the hall.
Unanswered questions spun around in my head like leaves on a blustery day. Dammit. I didn’t understand what Becky had tried to tell me.
“Are you okay?” Holden asked. “Dammit! Your neck is bleeding.”
What the fuck? I swiped at my nicked skin, my fingers shining with a sticky crimson. “That bitch is crazy.” Whatever she’d tried to tell me hadn’t justified her actions. As far as I was concerned, Holden had been nothing but kind to me, and Becky was trying to mess with my head. At first, I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, that her attacking me was an act, but you don’t cut someone for no reason unless you’re fucked up.
“I’m really sorry, River. I had no idea she would come unhinged and threaten you. I need to make sure she leaves the house and property, though. I’ll be right back.”
Holden hurried out of the bedroom, and I sat up on the edge of the bed, wide awake. The last thing I wanted to do was bleed on the beautiful bedding. I used the nightstand to balance on and slid off the mattress, my good foot landing on the plushest carpet my little piggies had ever felt in their nineteen years.
Becky’s screech echoed through the house along with a loud crash, confirming my earlier thoughts that she wasn’t stable. Dammit, if I’d had crutches, I could see what was going on. Hell, I could have beaten her ass with one if they’d been next to me.
“Hey, are you all right?” Brynn said from the doorway. Jace’s head popped up over hers.
“I hate to ask, but I need to get to the bathroom.” I despised depending on people, and it was even harder to plead for help.
“This is silly. I’ll find the crutches. I think they’re in the kitchen. I realize Holden loves carrying you around, but you need to be able to get around without him.” Brynn shook her head. “And cousin, my ass. Tell Holden no one believed him after the way he looked at you all night.”
I could literally feel the color drain from my cheeks. “What do you mean?”
“Uh-oh.” She peered up at Jace. “Would you get the crutches for River? I think I just said the wrong thing, and I should stay with her. She’s pretty pale.”
I sank onto the mattress again, my head woozy.
“All I meant was that he really cares about you already. And the guys will take care of Becky. I knew she had a screw or two loose when it came to Holden, but this was over the top even for her.”
“Why? I’m broken and my face is more colorful than my language. Why would she ever feel threatened by me?”
Brynn’s expressive eyes filled with compassion. “You don’t know, do you?”
Chapter Eleven
My heart plummeted to my toes, a sinking feeling twisting my stomach into knots. “I guess not.” I chewed on my already too short thumbnail.
“I’m sorry. The way Holden was acting, I thought maybe he’d told you. Holden and I have been friends for a long time, and I can’t share his past with you. It’s not my place. All I can say is that you resemble someone that was close to him, and Becky realized it.” She offered me a sad smile.
“Even if that’s true, it didn’t give Becky a reason to attack me.” I absentmindedly tucked my hair behind my ear as Becky’s warning rang through my mind.
“I completely agree with you. But, I can promise you this, Holden is a wonderful guy. Smart, kind, and a hell of a football player. He’ll give someone the shirt off his back. I’m not sure how his parents produced such an amazing kid when they’re ...” Brynn stared at the floor, then at me. “It’s not important. You’re in good hands. Get to know him and understand that you’re safe. I saw how on edge you were tonight, but after he told Becky to leave, I hope it put your fears to rest. You really can trust him.”
Jace burst into the room and held out the crutches to me. “I tried to adjust them for your height.” The sounds of sirens reached my ears, and I turned to the windows. He frowned. “What the hell?” He hurried to the window and raised the blind. “Holy shit. The cops and an ambulance.” He spun on his heel and made a mad dash for the door. “I’m not sure if it’s for Holden or Becky!” he yelled as he ran out.
“Can you make it down the stairs?” Brynn asked. “We have to see what’s happening.”
I hopped off the bed, gathered the crutches, and hauled ass out of the room and down the hall as quickly as my brain and body would allow me. When I reached the steps, I gave the crutches over to Brynn, sat down on the top step, and bounced down on my butt while I held my broken leg up with a free hand. Once I was at the bottom, I pulled myself up with the assistance of the banister.
“I can see you’re quite resourceful.” Brynn flashed me a wide smile as she helped me get situated again.
I glanced at the rooms on either side of me as we rushed to the ornate double wood doors of the main entrance.
I reached for the handle, but Brynn stopped me.
“Hang on. Let me look first. We have no idea what’s going on.” I moved to the side and allowed Brynn to peek through the peephole. “Oh for fuck’s sake. Jace, move. I can’t see anything.”
The door swung open, and Brynn motioned me forward. I joined them on the front porch, gawking at what I saw.
Panic ripped the air from my lungs. “Holy shit,” I whispered, trying to duck behind Jace. My fear was so strong I could taste it, sour and acidic.
“River, what’s wrong?” Brynn asked, concern written all over her pretty features.
“There’s a man holding a gun to Becky’s head in the middle of the road, but … he’s hunting me.” A whimper slipped through my parted lips, and I slapped my palm over my mouth. “I don’t know how he found me, but he’s dangerous. Please … help.”
Time stopped as I waited to see if Brynn and Jace would keep me safe. I looked into the street again where Billy, Logan’s right-hand man, held Becky hostage. Three cop cars surrounded them, and multiple guns were trained on Billy. But where was Holden?
“Jace, stay in front of us and block anyone’s view of River,” Brynn ordered.
“Got it.” Jace straightened his shoulders and stood at his full height to cover us.
Brynn slipped into the house, and I hobbled after her. Jace walked backward until he was inside again and quietly closed the door.
“Girl, you’ve got some serious explaining to do,” Jace said, a combination of worry and irritation flickering across his face.
I shook my head adamantly, my attention bouncing between Brynn and Jace. “I don’t ... How did he find me?” A prickle of anxiety rippled over my body, sending a shiver down my spine.
“He’s a meth dealer in my old neighborhood.” I licked my dry lips, attempting to form the rest of my words. “Becky doesn’t deserve that. Oh, God.” I crutched over to the stairs that led to the basement, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and fighting the urge to run. “There are rumors that they’re involved with sex trafficking. My guardian … he was mixed up with them.” I sat on the top stair and bounced down on my ass.
“Jesus, this guy sounds like a real winner. I still don’t understand why he’s here,” Brynn said, hot on my heels as I hurried to the extra bedroom.
“I don’t know. I don’t understand how he found me. I’m from a little town in Montana. I realize it’s not that far, but I left in the middle of the night. No one knew except for the two people that helped me.” I flipped on the light switch to Mallory’s room. “Dammit. I forgot Becky brought my backpack upstairs.” Tears welled in my eyes. “She has to be okay.”
“There’s not a damned thing we can do to help her,” Holden said from behind us.
An unexpected calm washed over me. Holden was all right. “Where were you?” I asked, my voice shaking with the combination of relief and anxiety.
“Becky broke a lamp in the formal living room, and I was cleaning it up. After she screamed at me, she ran outside. I wanted to give her some time to cool off before I spoke to her, so I cleaned up the mess. Instead of dumping the broken pieces into the trash, I thought it would be safer to take them straight to the can in the alley. When I reached the container, I saw some guy had her at gunpoint. I called the cops and stayed on the phone with 911 until help arrived.”
“You saw the whole thing?” Jace asked, running a hand over his short hair.
“Yeah, and this has definitely been a fucked-up evening. We’re probably safest down here until the cops take care of the situation. He’s completely surrounded, I just don’t want Becky ...” His sad eyes connected with mine.
“It’s all my fault.” If Becky died, I would feel like shit, and Holden would never forgive me. I wasn’t even sure if he’d forgive me for leading Billy, and ultimately Logan, to his house, either.
“Why is this your fault?” Holden looked at me quizzically.
“I need my backpack, then I can explain everything to you all at once.” I sank onto Mallory’s bed, my body trembling.
“I’ll get it,” Brynn offered and squeezed my shoulder.
“Thanks.” I hated being helpless. It fucking sucked. If I hadn’t been a dumbass and ran out in front of a car, I would have been able to catch a bus and head back to Coeur d’Alene and the homeless shelter.
“I wonder what’s happening.” Jace shoved his hands into his jean pockets, and fear etched into his expression.
