Too tired to argue, or even bother, I walk back inside and go straight for the bathroom. Looking at my face, I see it’s starting to purple already. Getting some ice, I lie on my couch with it pressed to my face and pass the fuck out.
Maybe tomorrow I’ll wake up to this being all a dream.
Or maybe not.
Chapter Fifteen
Rochelle
My eye is purple, and no matter how much concealer I put on, it still shows through. Walking out, I see his truck still parked where he left it, and my car gone. Sighing, I get into it and go straight to work. When I arrive, there’s a man standing at the door waiting for us to open.
“Hi, we don’t open for another hour.”
His hands fidget in his pockets as he looks around.
“Can I help you?”
His eyes dart around as he bites his lip. He’s dressed in a suit, and I would guess in his late thirties.
“Sir?”
“Martin. I’m here for Martin.”
“Are you a client of his?” I ask. I know most of Martin’s clients but not this one.
“Yes.”
Eyes lock onto mine, and I have an instant feeling of wanting to get away from him. Martin walks up the stairs, his eyes lock onto mine. He obviously notices the bruise and he whines.
“That boy of yours hitting you now, Rochelle?” He shakes his head and looks to the man standing near me.
“Dave, you aren’t meant to be here.”
“I have more news.”
Martin’s eyes flick to me.
“Rochelle, why don’t you go and get us some coffee?”
I nod, unlocking the door and they walk in. The coffee shop isn’t busy, and when I return the door is cracked, and I lean in to hear what they’re saying.
“You don’t understand, the restraining order will do no good once he knows.”
“Dave, you pay well. But there is only so much I can do to keep them away from you.”
“I’ll pay more,” he says, sitting straighter in his chair.
Martin shakes his head. “You hired me to go after them. Your case was strong. They paid what you asked, but you still want more. I don’t know what else you want me to do?”
“I want them gone,” he hisses.
Martin sighs heavily. “Can’t you get them in more trouble? Make the police go after them again. They need to be put away.”
“You have no evidence it was them who burned down your house. Apart from that one video, which they paid for your silence, which you requested.”
“I need more money.”
“You have no more evidence,” Martin says again.
“They burned down my fucking house,” he screams.
“You also bought drugs from them. Which you told me you owed them a lot of money for.”
Well, that explains it.
I knock on the door and push it open, handing them their coffees and then step back out. Going straight to my seat, I search for recent house fires and one pops up.
House Fire - Arson Suspected
There are no suspects as of yet.
“Your boss is a real money stealing prick,” Dave says, walking out of the office. He fidgets again and it reminds me of Tanika yesterday. When I don’t answer him, he looks down at me. “You look familiar.”
Again, I don’t answer him.
“Rochelle, come in here,” Martin yells out.
I look up to Dave, who shakes his head and then walks out. When he’s gone, I walk into Martin’s office as he sits at his desk.
“It’s best you don’t deal with him. If he’s here, you tell me.”
I nod, then walk out.
What the fuck is that about?
My red car is waiting right next to his truck in the parking lot when I leave work. When I walk over, Marcus dangles my keys in front of me. I look at the window and see it’s brand new.
“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
He shakes his head in reply and then says, “I sent you a text where your friend is located. They ask that she have no visitors for up to seven days.” Then he climbs into his truck and drives off.
“What the fuck happened to your eye?” My sister reaches for me and inspects me closer. The bruising is fading now, but it’s still slightly there in a more yellow tone. “So glad Mom and Dad aren’t here to see this.” Kat walks out of my bathroom where I’m putting on my makeup, then comes back with something. “This concealer hides everything.” She applies it to my face, and when she is finished, I look and don’t see any marks.
“Thanks.”
“Oh no, no way. Tell me now why you have that bruise on your face.”
I cringe, not wanting to tell her.
“It’s that guy you like, right? Gosh, really, Rochelle, you should know better.”
“It’s not a guy who did this,” I say, defending Marcus.
Kat’s hands go to her hips, and I watch her thinking as she stares at me. “Tell me then, who hit you, and don’t even try to make up some lame shit excuse.”
A knock is heard on my door, so I walk past my sister to get it, but she stops me with a hand to my arm.
“You’re not lying. A man didn’t do this, did he?” she asks, concern laced through her voice.
“No. I swear he didn’t.”
Kat turns and goes to my door before I can, and when she opens it, Blaze is standing there. She takes a step back, and his eyes lock onto her.
“Who the fuck are you?” she asks.
I stifle a laugh. I guess it’s not only me who doesn’t like him.
I appear behind her, and he looks at me. “Your sister, I’m guessing.”
“Guessed right.” I smile.
“Of course,” he mutters.
My sister doesn’t move, and I stay where I am behind her, waiting for what Blaze wants to say.
“She’s asking for you. You can visit her soon. Your name is on the list.” Then he turns and walks away, but I go after him.
“Is she okay?”
He stops, his helmet now in his hands. Blaze looks past me to where I’m guessing my sister is standing, then back to me.
“She’s as good as can be expected.”
“Thank you,” I say, and I mean it. I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t helped.
“Just be her fucking friend. She needs one.” Then Blaze gets on the bike and looks back my way over my shoulder again before he takes off.
“Who the fuck is that,” Kat says, coming to stand next to me. “And who were you talking about?”
“Tanika… she isn’t well. He helped.”
“She the one who hit you?” she asks, nodding to my face.
“Yes.”
“It’s drugs, right?”
I arch an eyebrow at her words.
“Please. Everyone knows. The town has been gossiping about her for weeks now.”
“She came here and went crazy,” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t know what to do. Marcus helped, and so did Blaze.”
“Marcus is that guy you’re seeing, right?”