Page 19 of Forbidden

Fuck! I turn to him, shaking with anger, and ready to give him a piece of my mind. He takes my hand, pulls me into his arms, and instead, I fall apart. His arms tighten around me as I begin to sob uncontrollably. This is the most dangerous place for me to be right now, and yet I feel so safe. I slide my hands under his cut and around his waist, pressing my face into his chest.

“Don’t worry, baby doll. You’re going to be okay. I’ll take care of you.”

“No, you c-can’t.”

He cradles my face and stares into my eyes with steely determination.

“I can and I will.”

“You don’t understand!”

“Then make me!”

I tear myself from his hold and turn my back to him, hugging myself tightly. “I can’t. Just leave me alone, Gage. Please.”

He pulls me back against him and squeezes my arm lightly. I flinch and draw in a ragged breath. Fuck.

“Raven?”

He takes my hand and when I try to pull away, his grip tightens.No. Please, no.No matter how hard I try, I can’t get away. “Let me go.”

“In a minute.”

He takes my sleeve and pushes it up to my shoulder. I close my eyes as fresh tears begin streaming down my face.

“What the fuck? Who did this?”

I don’t have to look at him to know he’s angry. I hear it in his voice. He’s fuming.

“Nobody.”

“Nobody? Your arm is fucking black and blue!” he shouts. Taking a deep breath, he places a gentle finger under my chin and tips my face toward his.

“Talk to me.”

I stare at the ground because the look in his eyes is too much to bear. I’ve only seen that look in Daddy’s eyes. It’s that scared but overprotective one he’d get when he thought I was hurt. I can’t look Gage in the eyes and lie. I can’t tell him that Lonnie punched me in the arm for using the milk she bought. She’s always been a bitch, but since that day she found out about Gage giving me a ride home, she’s been downright violent. The smallest things tick her off, and she takes it out on me. She left such a nasty bruise on my neck that makeup and scarves became my best friends for two weeks.

“I walked into a door.”

He releases me and I push my sleeve back down.

“Bullshit. Who’s putting their hands on you?”

“You wanna help; I get it. I appreciate the concern, but there’s nothing you can do. Just forget it. Forgetme.”

I move past him and make my way back inside. After washing my face and getting myself back in order, I return to work. Gage is nowhere to be found, thank God. I can’t get away from Millie, though. She grabs my hand and pulls me to her office in the back, closing the door.

“Well?”

She places her hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Well, what?”

“Are you going to let Gage help you or not?”

“Help me with what?”

“With whatever it is that’s got you walking around here like a zombie. Don’t be afraid to let someone in, honey. I’m here. And MC business aside, Gage is very resourceful. We can help you.”