Beautifully damaged boxs.., p.8
Beautifully Damaged Boxset, page 8
“Nothing as of thirty seconds ago,” Brynn said, entering the room again with my bag.
“Thanks.” I unzipped it and dumped the items on my bed.
“What are you looking for?” Holden asked while he narrowed the gap between us and eyed my belongings.
“They had to have tracked me. Nothing else makes sense.” I squeezed my eyes shut as I mentally reviewed everything Shirley and Ed had given to me. “Dammit.” I grabbed the cell phone. I powered it on and waited until I saw Shirley’s number. “Do you have a pen and paper?”
Holden opened a drawer in the nightstand and produced what I’d asked for. I jotted Shirley’s contact information down, then went to work. “How do I get this damned thing open?” I searched for a way to pop open the back, but I was too rattled.
“Let me.” Holden held his hand out while Brynn and Jace watched quietly.
Holden popped the back off, and a small circular device fell to the floor. He collected it, then held it up to the light. “Son of a bitch. It’s a tracker.” He lowered his arm slowly, his icy gaze landing on me. “What the fuck? Did you know someone was looking for you?”
Jace gently squeezed Holden’s shoulder, attempting to calm him.
“Yes, but I had no idea about the tracker. I swear,” I whispered. “I’ll leave.” I stood and moved to the door, but Brynn blocked my path.
“No, River. You won’t. Holden needs to know the truth, and so do we. You need to tell us who you really are and what the hell is going on.”
Chapter Twelve
I’d spent all of my nineteen years walking on eggshells in an attempt to stay alive. Dan had beaten me within an inch of my life more times than I could count, but this … The tease of a different life and actual friends was at my fingertips, but still just out of my reach. I should have known my past would catch up with me. Even I had to admit I didn’t belong here, in this house, or with these people who had been kind to me.
Three pairs of eyes stared in my direction, burning a hole right through me. The pain seared my soul, leaving me breathless as I scrambled to explain to them.
“A little over forty-eight hours ago, my guardian of sixteen years raped me ... and not for the first time.” The tension in the air was heavy, but I owed them the truth before I left.
“Dan,” Holden whispered, putting all of the bits and pieces of information together while Brynn’s hand flew to her mouth.
“The bruises on your face were from him?” Jace asked.
I nodded.
“Where was your mom?” Brynn frowned.
“She disappeared when I was three.” My chest ached as the few memories that I had of my mom consumed me, twisting my emotions, then blowing them apart.
“He was an alcoholic and addict, and he beat me on a regular basis.” I glanced up at the ceiling for a moment, collecting more courage. “After he’d passed out on the couch, I packed what I could fit into my backpack. I was literally at the front door when he woke up and caught me. I hightailed it out of the trailer we lived in and ran, but he kept up pretty well. I hurried down a hill and to my favorite oak tree, then climbed it to hide.”
My blood thundered through my head as I continued. “Billy, the man who has a gun to Becky’s temple, is Logan’s right-hand guy.” I attempted to regulate my racing heartbeat. “Logan has a Doberman named Killer—”
“Who’s Logan?” Brynn asked.
I studied the floor, mentally reliving the story as I explained it. “Logan lives in our trailer park. He’s a meth dealer and is mixed up in dealing weapons, from the rumors I’ve heard.” I paused to see if there were any additional questions, but they seemed as though they were waiting on me.
“I guess Killer heard all of the commotion because it wasn’t long before he found Dan, who was standing under the tree that I was hiding in. Killer attacked him and ripped his throat out.” Images of Dan’s bloodied body slammed into my mind and my stomach flip-flopped. “There’s no way he survived.”
I glanced around at Holden, Brynn, and Jace, who were now pale and wide-eyed.
“After Killer started back up the hill, I headed toward the trailer. Once I reached my road again, I overheard Logan, Billy, and a few of their friends. They were looking for Dan. Apparently, he owed them a lot of money. One of the men said that if Dan had left town, they would take me as their payment.” My pulse kicked into overdrive and my head buzzed. I stood and wished I could pace while I talked. It always cleared my brain when I was overwhelmed. “They began to talk about sharing me. That’s when I realized that even though Dan was dead, I still wasn’t safe. Not to mention I no longer had a home to return to.”
Over the next few minutes, I shared with them how Shirley and Ed had helped me leave. “But the phone had a tracker in it. Shirley had to have put it there.” Tears welled in my eyes. “I guess that’s what I get for trusting them.”
A pained expression twisted Holden’s features.
With the mention of Shirley’s name, the mixture of pain pills, adrenaline, and anger threatened to crash my system. Black spots danced before my eyes, and I clung to the side of the nightstand.
“River! I’ve got you.” Strong arms lifted me and placed me on the bed.
I gasped for air and clawed at the comforter, then an uncontrollable sob erupted from me. “They betrayed me.”
No longer able to hear what everyone was saying, the fear, anger, and heartache from the past several days surrounded me like a toxic fog, killing me slowly in the process. Curling up the best I could, I succumbed to the unfeeling blackness that called my name and slipped into a peaceful oblivion.
My head throbbed as I attempted to peel open my swollen eyes. The bright rays of sunshine instantly made me regret my decision. I struggled to move my arm, but my body was pinned to the bed. Shit. Why can’t I move? Had Holden decided to turn me over to the authorities, or worse, the men that were looking for me? My pulse raced, my breathing rapid as I teetered on the edge of a full-on panic attack.
“River?” a seductive scratchy voice asked gently. “It’s Holden. You’re safe.” He moved his arm, freeing me. “Sorry, I fell asleep, and I must have ...” He sat up and cleared his throat. “Uh, tossed my arm over you.” He offered me a sheepish grin.
I pulled myself up into a sitting position as I tried to remember what had happened last night.
“How are you feeling?” Holden stood and stretched, his shirt hiking up and revealing a peek of his rippled abs.
“I don’t know. What happened?” I smoothed the stray hairs from my face and tucked my long dark hair behind my ear.
“I think the events from the last few days, along with your pain meds, affected you. You had a mini meltdown.”
My cheeks flamed red. “Oh, God. I’m sorry.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure how you held on for so long.” He walked around the bed, then sat next to me, the mattress dipping beneath his weight.
“Becky?” I grabbed his arm, my eyes widening. “Is she okay?” My hand trembled as I asked. I didn’t like her, but she sure as hell didn’t deserve to get caught up in my shit.
Holden gave me a gentle smile. “She is. Billy was arrested, too. For now, I think you’re safe.”
I flinched at his words. “I wish, but one of his men will eventually come looking for me. These assholes have a hierarchy. I can’t stay, Holden. I’ve put you all in danger already.” I tugged at the cover he was sitting on, but he refused to move.
“Now that I know who you’re hiding from, I can protect you. You don’t have to run anymore.” Holden reached toward me and hesitated. “Don’t be afraid of me,” he whispered, a pleading look on his face. “Let me help.” His dark brown eyes searched mine. “You’re special. Different.” His voice was deep and husky. It did strange things to my insides and turned them upside down.
I sucked in a breath as his fingers trailed down my cheek, and currents of electricity surged through me. What in God’s name was happening?
“What about your parents? School? I can’t stay here.” I was rooted in a haze of uncertainty. My life was teetering on the edge of the unknown, and I hated it.
Deep concern was embedded in his features, and Holden took my hand in his. “My parents won’t care. They won’t be home for another month, then they’ll be out the door again. As far as school, I have classes online and a few in person. Once classes start back up after winter break, I’ll have football training, but our games are finished for the season. Seriously, if you don’t stay, the house will just be empty.”
Determination settled into my bones. “If I agree, then what can I do to pay my way?”
A gorgeous grin split Holden’s face. “You’ll stay, then?”
“I didn’t say that.” Although my words were firm, I couldn’t hide my smile. “I’m used to working and paying my own way.”
“How old were you when you started taking care of the bills for you and Dan?”
His question caught me off guard, and I frowned. “I didn’t say that I did.”
“You didn’t have to. Dan was an addict and alcoholic, which meant his money went to his addiction.”
I sunk my teeth into my lower lip, unhappy that I was so transparent. “I started working under the table when I was ten.”
Anger flashed across Holden’s expression, and he ran his fingers along his stubbled chin. “Sounds like you’re way overdue for a sabbatical.”
“What?”
“Take the time to heal, River. I have more than enough money to feed, clothe, and entertain you.”
“Nope. That won’t work. You’ll grow to resent me if I’m a bump on your furniture. Besides, I need a project to focus on or something to study. I’ll go nuts staring at the walls all day.”
A mischievous spark flickered to life in his eyes. “Are you in college? I remember you mentioning you were accepted to one in Oregon, but were you at a community college in Montana? Do you even like school?”
“I was accepted to PSU in Oregon on a full scholarship. I was working and trying to lay low until I left in the fall. We both know how that turned out.”
“What do you think about taking a few online classes while you heal?” He arched his eyebrow at me.
“I would love to, but I can’t pay for them. I’ll wait until the fall.” Holden had no idea how much I wanted to attend, but it wasn’t in the cards at the moment.
“What if I pay for it?” Holden’s eyes flared with sincerity.
I pressed my lips into a thin line, wondering why Holden was so insistent on spending money on me. Did he think he could buy me, then I would be his slave? No thanks.
“River, I have a black American Express card. I could pay for the next four years of your college, and still have plenty of funds available.”
My mouth dropped open. Becky wasn’t kidding about Holden being rich. More than rich. Finally, I managed to form a question. “Won’t your parents be pissed if you charge that much on your card?”
Holden gave a half shrug. “They don’t pay the bill. I do.”
I massaged my forehead and made the sound of my head exploding. “You? You’re rich, not just your parents? I mean, because there’s a difference.”
“There is. And yes, I am independently wealthy, as well as my mom and dad.”
“What do they do? What do you do?” I asked, suddenly wanting every detail about this guy sitting in front of me who was willing to take me in and help me heal not only my leg, but my mind and heart.
Holden took my hand in his, sadness and unease flashing in his chocolate brown eyes. “I’ll tell you another time. I don’t want you to think that you’re a burden in any way. It would make me very happy if you stayed. We’ll come up with some things to keep you occupied while I’m in classes.”
“Do you know what they say about the nice ones?” I raised my eyebrow at him.
Holden shook his head.
“That they will win you over with their kindness, then they’ll break your spirit.”
Holden stared at me, disbelief clouding his expression. “I can’t speak for anyone else, but I would never do that to you. Never.”
“Maybe, but sometimes it happens unintentionally.”
It was clear that I wouldn’t receive any more answers from him at the moment, but I would eventually find out why he had taken such an interest the first time he laid eyes on me. Little did I know that when I learned his secrets, I would have regrets for the rest of my life.
Chapter Thirteen
Holden had continued to randomly ask my thoughts about college. He had a subtle way of convincing someone he was right. After a week of negotiations, I agreed to take a few online classes, but only under the condition that it was a loan, and as soon as I found a job, I would pay him back in monthly installments. I even insisted on a contract. Once we both signed it, Holden handed me a brand-new laptop and iPhone for school and to be able to reach him if I needed anything. He hadn’t voiced his concerns, but we were both worried that Logan’s men would show up again. At least I could call or text Holden if I had to.
I glared at him. “This will be added to what I owe you. I don’t do charity.”
“Charity is for people who don’t have much. You have a lot.” He waved his hand, indicating his house was also mine.
A waterfall of emotions washed over me—gratitude, excitement, guilt. I was secretly giddy to have a computer and phone. I’d only used the ones at the library, and I’d missed having communication with Addison and Mrs. Donaldson.
I didn’t waste any more time as I typed out an email to Addison and included my new cell number. I wouldn’t divulge details over the internet, but I let her know that I wasn’t in Montana anymore. I realized she would have questions, but if her parents had heard that Dan was dead, she’d be freaking out by now. Unfortunately, that was out of my control.
As I flipped through the contacts, I realized Holden had already programmed his, Jace’s, and Brynn’s contact information in as well.
I also needed to call Shirley and confront her about the tracker, but every time I thought about it, my stomach lurched, and my body shook uncontrollably. If she and Ed had helped Logan and his men track me, it seemed like the best way to handle the situation was to stay off the radar. My instincts agreed with me, so for now, I wasn’t going to reach out. However, I gave myself permission to change my mind if I needed to.
I spent the next few hours searching through the college catalog, overjoyed and overwhelmed with the choices. I hadn’t decided on a major yet because deep down inside, I never thought I would really make it to school.
“What’s up?” Brynn asked, strolling through the basement sliding glass door. Even though the house was over ten thousand square feet, we practically lived down here. What I appreciated most was the heat. I’d finally begun to warm up after years of freezing my ass off in the trailer.
“Hey,” I said, smiling at her. She looked gorgeous in a soft pink sweater that hugged her curves. Her dark wash jeans were tucked into mid-calf black boots. Her makeup was flawless, and her green eyes twinkled as she sat down next to me.
“Are you bored?” she asked.
“I’m going to college!” I squealed. “And before you say anything, I signed a contract that I would pay Holden back for the classes and computer.”
Brynn laughed. “He won’t miss the money, River. He would, however, miss you horribly if you left. I think it’s his way of keeping you close. He’s like that. He wants to take care of the people that are really important to him.” She winked at me. “Well, I brought over one of my favorite movies of all time. I say we pop open a bottle of wine ... Oh, wait. Are you finished with your pain pills? You can’t mix those.”
“I’m all done, but better yet, I don’t hurt much. Advil seems to do the trick.”
“Excellent. What do you like? Wine? Beer?” Brynn’s face scrunched up. “Beer is nasty, but if you like it ...” She lifted her hands in front of her, palms facing me in a sign that she wasn’t judging me if my tastes were different than hers. I suspected everything about us was different.
I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t like beer. I’ve only had a few wine coolers. Since Dan was an alcoholic, I stayed away from it.”
“Shit. That’s right. I’m sorry,” Brynn said.
“No, I’m fine. I would love to try something new.” I beamed at her. As much as I tried to fight it, I really liked Brynn.
Brynn stood and tapped her finger against her lower lip. “Let’s start off with ... What’s your preference? Sweet or salty?”
“Sweet. Just not overly sweet,” I explained.
“Two White Russians coming right up!” Jace yelled as he waltzed into Holden’s house, the freezing air rushing into the room with him.
I shivered, then waved at him. Jace was as gorgeous as Holden and Chance, but he was the clown out of the group, which I loved.
“Where’s Holden?” he asked, searching for him.
“Upstairs. He should be down soon,” I replied.
“Awesome. I’ll make the drinks. I think we’re going to play video games while you girls watch a chick flick.” He wiggled his brows at us, then headed to the kitchen.
“What movie?” I asked, excited to have a girl’s night.
“Two actually.” Brynn held the DVDs up and grinned. “Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL. Have you seen them?” She gave them to me.
I flipped the case over and read the back, a furious flush traveling up my neck. “Strippers?” My voice cracked, and Jace howled with laughter.
“Oh man, are you a virg—” Jace froze, then swallowed visibly. “Um, sorry.” He turned away from us, busying himself.
I realized Jace didn’t mean anything by it, and he stopped as soon as his brain connected with his mouth, but I think I was just as mortified as he was. I’d shared about the rape, which meant I wasn’t a virgin, but I wasn’t used to casual conversation about sex either.
Brynn sat down on the edge of the coffee table. “River, have you been with anyone willingly?” Tears welled in her eyes. “Every girl deserves to be loved and worshipped. I hope—”
