Page 96 of Clash

“You were stabbed,” Clash informed me. “By your ex.”

Images of that night started sputtering like a projector, and I almost vomited when I realized what I did to Eric’s cock.

If I thought he was a monster… what did that make me?

“Is he…”

Clash nodded his head but didn’t answer me, motioning to Alex. “He doesn’t know.”

“Can you help me sit up, Clash?”

His warm arms embraced me as he helped me straighten up in bed, right before his soft lips pressed down on my forehead. “I’m so glad you’re awake,” he whispered, our foreheads touching for the briefest of seconds.

“I take back every bad thing I said about you, Clash. You’re definitely good for her,” Bessie stated, suddenly appearing by my side. “Glad to see you awake, honey.” She patted my hand. “We’ve all been worried sick about you.”

“How long have I been out?”

“A few days. The doctors think it was post-traumatic stress.”

“Oh.”

“Gina, what this man did for you was truly amazing. You’re free, deary. Free to do what you want, when you want.”

Clash’s warm eyes danced with assumptions, hoping I would choose to stay with him instead of leave. I wanted to. I really did, but I had to know if it was truly over.

“Is it really over? Am I actually free?”

“I can fill you in on everything later, Gina. For now, the best thing you can do is rest,” Clash replied, gently taking my hand that Alex wasn’t holding. “The doctors said you could go home today if you woke up and everything looked okay.”

Home? Where exactly was that? Now that Eric was gone, what did that mean for me? Would the cops show up on mydoorstep and arrest me for kidnapping? Would Alex end up in foster care? Panic took over, and I started hyperventilating, fearing the very thought.

“Hey now, Gina. Calm down. It’s okay. Everything is gonna be okay.” He kissed the top of my hand then held his lips to it.

“I’m so afraid, Clash…”

“I know. Don’t worry. We’ll get through this together, okay?”

Bessie patted my hand and smiled. “I told Alex that I would play some games with him tonight. Why don’t you let Chuck take you home? I’ll make sure that your little one is happy until you’re ready to pick him up.”

“It was so cool, Mommy. Mr. Clash’s friend Mr. Wasp, gave me a ride on his bike, and we ended up at Mr. Clash’s house where I met all his friends. They’re my friends now, too. They were so nice to me, and a couple of the ladies there said I was the cutest kid ever. They even gave me Skittles!”

I laughed. “You and your Skittles.” I wanted to smile and enjoy our little talk, but guilt swarmed me, making me feel suffocated.

“Alex, I feel like you should know something.”

Alex grinned. “It’s okay, Mommy. You don’t have to say anything.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know that something happened to Daddy. And it’s really okay.”

“You’re not sad?”

“Oh, I’m definitely sad. But I’m also happy. Now Daddy won’t hurt you anymore or me. Oh! That reminds me! I wanted to ask you a question.”

“Okay, what is your question?”

He looked impishly up at Clash and grinned. “So, I really like Mr. Clash. Like a lot. I like him more than I ever liked Daddy. He makes me laugh and smile and we have a lot of fun together.Anyways, Mommy. I was wondering, since you like Mr. Clash now, if there was any way he could become my daddy some day?”