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Courtney nods in agreement before continuing. “That plan seemed to work for a while, but then the frequency of her visitors seemed to reduce over the last few weeks. I’m assuming she’s literally slept with every low-life in Blackthorn, and has run out of customers, but that meant their income stream was drying up.
“I knew Bruce would try to come up with another quick scheme to get money, but I didn’t think too much about it until I heard them arguing the other night. Mum was shouting, which was really unusual as it’s usually him that’s screaming, and she just does as she’s told.
“I wasn’t trying to listen, but they were so loud, I couldn’t help overhearing them. Bruce had come up with a great idea that would make them a lot of money, enough to keep them in supply for a few months, but Mum was adamant they weren’t doing it.
“It captured my interest as she never tells him no, so I knew whatever his plan was, it had to be bad. But he’s usually able to persuade her into anything, or the withdrawal does, so I knew it wouldn’t be too long before she was on board.”
Her gaze is fixed on the floor, and it’s not difficult to tell that Courtney is skating around the issue, not wanting to tell me what she heard, so I prompt her. “What does he want her to do?”
Courtney shakes her head, but this time, when her gaze meets mine, all I see is fear. “It’s not her. He wants to sell my virginity.”
My mouth pops open, and I freeze, no doubt looking like something out of a comical cartoon. I’m replaying the words in my head, hoping that if I repeat them, I’ll hear something completely different.
I open and close my mouth a couple of times, trying to find the right words. “I’m sorry, did you just say that he wants to sell your virginity? You’re twelve-years-old, for fuck’s sake.”
Her eyes are wide with fear as she nods, confirming I did, in fact, hear her correctly. “As soon as I heard that, I packed a bag, stole as much money as I could, and checked in here under a fake name. Then I called you. Even though Mum is telling him no right now, I’m guessing it won’t take long for her to agree when she’s withdrawing.”
I place my hand on her arm, giving her a reassuring squeeze as I fix her with a firm stare. I hope she can see just how much I mean these words.
“I promise you, Courtney, I will not let anyone hurt you. I love Mum, but I won’t hesitate to take her down if she even thinks about coming after you. You did the right thing coming here, and now I’m back, I’ll take care of you.
“It may take me a couple of days to get things put in place, but I’ll find us somewhere to live, and I’ll look after you. I’ll offer Mum help, but if she refuses to take it, that’s on her. You’re my priority, and I promise, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Even though her eyes water again, she breathes a sigh of relief and a bright smile lights up her face. “You really mean it, that I can live with you? I thought you’d be living with Marcus.”
“Plans change. You are my priority. You’ve lost enough of your childhood over the last two years, and I plan to make that right,” I tell her, meaning every fucking word.
I can’t even begin to imagine the horrors she’s been through over the last three years, and I hate myself for not coming home, for not checking in properly.
I might not be able to fix the past, but I sure as fuck can make sure she has a better future—starting with taking care of the arsehole that dared to think he could lay a hand on her, let alone think he can fucking sell her.
Don’t even get me started on my mother—a title she’s clearly not earned over the last couple of years. No matter how muchlove I have for her, all of that will pale into insignificance if she chooses to remain with the jizzbucket who threatened my sister.
A mother should protect her child, and I’ll give her one chance to do the right thing. One chance to walk away from Bruce The Cunt, and start a new, drug-free life with us, but if she refuses to take it, if she chooses him over us, I’m done.
I’ll force her to sign over guardianship of Courtney to me, and that’ll be the last I see of her. I don’t do second chances.
“Thank you,” Courtney says, followed by a large yawn.
“Why don’t you get some sleep? I’m going to grab a beer from the pub over the road, and then I’ll come back with a plan. In the morning, I’ll get started on our future.”
A beer sounds like a fucking great idea right now. I need to get out of here, to be alone with my thoughts for a moment, while I come up with a plan.
Yesterday, I was a twenty-one-year-old about to go on the holiday of a lifetime, enjoying one final summer of freedom, and today, I’ve got a twelve-year-old I have to take care of, and responsibilities that I can’t escape. If that doesn’t warrant a beer, I don’t know what the fuck does.
After getting Courtney settled, I grab the spare key for the motel room and head across the road to a rundown-looking pub, called Hunter’s Arms. The door creaks as I push it open, but I don’t pay anymore attention to my surroundings.
I’m not even aware of how full the pub is. All I care about is grabbing a stool at the bar, so I can order a drink.
As soon as I locate said stool, I wave over the bloke behind the bar, asking for a pint. I pay him as he hands me the glass, and without hesitating, I take a large gulp.
“You look like you needed that.” A soft voice from beside me pulls me out of my head, and I turn slightly to face where the voice came from.
Beside me I see the most beautiful girl, with long blonde hair, and the most piercing emerald eyes, who is smiling at me in an almost shy way. For the first time in over three years, what’s left of my fractured heart starts to race, and I can’t help but get pulled in by this girl.
“I really did. I’m Miles,” I say, holding my hand out towards her.
She looks down at my outstretched hand, before quickly flicking her gaze up to meet mine. The smile on her face grows, showing off the cutest dimple. “I’m Deena, but you can call me Dee.”