Page 6

CHAPTER 6

Willow

You stand for something and you fight back. It’s all you can do.

But I didn’t. I was scared and alone, so I ran. I hid. And then I was trapped in a lose-lose situation.

“I’d tried to warn her, but he can be very charming as he reels you in. But if things don’t go his way, if he doesn’t get what he wants, he’s brutal.

“When she asked me how I knew he was a bad guy, I couldn’t tell her I had dated him and knew from experience. Women never believe the other woman. And I didn’t want to lose my job with Eizlee.”

“Do you know how she met him?”

“At the club where she worked.”

“Wait. When I was here at Christmas, Vicky was bartending at a breakfast club,” Diesel cuts in.

I nod. “That’s how she originally met him. It’s a tag team thing. Look, this is what they do. The first guy meets someone who he thinks they can manipulate and becomes friendly. Gets them fired and has his friend offer them a job where they are promised a lot more money. In the beginning she didn’t mention where she was working only the hours. So, I had no clue what club she was at.

“He and a couple other cops handle the staff and clientele issues for ‘management’. They smile and buddy up as they reel people in. Assuring everyone it’s a great safe place to work and patronize, all the while they’re forcing girls to turn tricks or spiking drinks which basically can lead to date rape.

“I tried to talk to her. She said they weren’t really dating but she was enjoying the flirting, and he seemed harmless.”

“Vicky didn’t tell me about the job change,” Diesel says.

“When I started taking care of the baby, she was all excited about the job and the extra money. But recently she confided she was tired of it and wanted to quit. That it wasn’t as great as she thought. I think she was planning on following you once you got to your new home. She loved having you here and having family for the holidays. She wanted to take Eizlee to a better environment.”

“You said you saw them the day she died?” Raven asks.

“I’d gone to the store by her place and was walking home. I saw him get out of his car and go to her apartment door. He had a bag. He did that thing guys do when they lean against the door frame and flirt. I saw her shake her head, then he went inside with her for just a few minutes. Maybe five, max, and left.

“What’s the name of the club,” Raven asks.

“Swagger.”

“That’s the place where they have the male dancers. Fancyman or something dancers,” Raven cuts in.

“Fanta-Sensual Dancers,” Diesel corrects.

“Yes,” I confirm.

“You said you dated him,” Raven asks softly.

“I—I need to go check on Eizlee. She gets fussy in new places.” I stand.

“Willow, you are safe here. It’s almost like lock down when the alarms are set. You know that right?

“And Diesel is good at his job, he’ll watch over you for a couple nights until I can get back to you. Think of this as your home away from home. Just for a couple days. I promise,” Raven continues.

I nod. I do trust Diesel.

“Is there anything you need from your home?”

“No. I’m good I’ve got everything. Is it okay if I use the shower?”

“Sure, everything you could need is in one of the drawers,” she says.

Raven glances at Diego. “We need to head home too. I need to do some research, go back through the police reports and see what else I can find. Finally, I have a place to start.”

She looks at me. “Willow, one more thing before you go.”

She pauses until I look her way.

“Will you give me a name?” Raven asks. “You know I can find out. You’ll be saving me some time.”

“Ryrden.” Even saying the name makes me sick to my stomach.

“Thank you. You’re very brave.”

I’m not. I’m a coward and a fake. If I’d done something more my friend would still be alive. Eizlee would still have her mom. Shame sends me racing down the hall to beg forgiveness once again.

In the bathroom I let the tears fall in the shower. I’m such a fool. A real sucker. My choices in men have never been good. Always so hungry for attention and affection. How did Ryrden say it? ‘Such an easy mark. So needy’.

God, how he played me. Sweet talking me, building up my confidence, buying me gifts and affection. The first month was like a fantasy. And it was.

Working as a scantily clad waitress wasn’t that bad. Hell, it’s Vegas. At least we weren’t topless. The tips were pretty good. I’d do one dance routine with the other women each night. The rest of my shift was waiting tables and trying to upsell the drinks. The first time he pulled me into the hall to have sex I thought it was kind of romantic that he wanted me so badly.

I quit accepting the drinks he’d bring me when I realized I’d often feel lightheaded afterward. That’s when I realized the one bartender was spiking the drinks.

His sweet, considerate, off hours sex became almost rape. Then straight out rape when, and where, he pleased. No consent required. Everything blew up the night he told me to go service a customer. I snuck out, but realized I’d forgotten my purse. I’ve been in hiding ever since.

* * *

After dressing in jeans and a shirt I go to check on Eizlee in the room made up for her. Diesel is stretched out in the chair, Eizlee and the new stuffy cuddled against his chest. White noise plays gently in the background.

He signals to give him a moment, so I continue to the kitchen. Another coffee is tempting. But I feel safe here after seeing what it takes to get in and a really good night’s sleep would be a luxury. I grab a water instead.

I know it’s probably not smart, but I do trust Diesel. Caring like he does for Eizlee, I don’t think he could fake that.

When he comes to the kitchen, he’s changed to a pair of grey sweats and black T-shirt that hugs every muscled contour of his broad chest. So hot, but nice too. And so out of my league. Just like Ryrden had been. He’d played me perfectly. Silly little, small town girl with big town dreams.

Pausing in front of me, he studies me. “Are you doing okay? Really?

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“What can I get you? You’ve been taking care of Eizlee, let me take care of you a little while. I can make you something more to eat, or there’s ice cream and dark chocolate. Studies show dark chocolate is good for stress.”

A laugh erupts from me before I even think about it. This stud muffin is citing documentation on the stress relief properties of dark chocolate. “Do you have a lot of stress that you treat with chocolate?”

He grins, “I can think of a lot of reasons to eat chocolate, stress is just an acceptable reason. You just smiled so you see even thinking of it helps. When was the last time you had ice cream with dark chocolate?

“I honestly can’t remember.”

“Then I think we should perform our own test.”

Opening the freezer, he pulls out two cartons of ice cream. “Vanilla or coffee?”

“Coffee” we say together.

“Is there a washer and dryer I could use. For my clothes and Eizlee’s?”

“Sure, let me show you.”

Once I have the clothes on, I head back to the kitchen.

He’s just squirting crisscrossing drizzles all over the top of both bowls. Sliding one to me, he takes the other and leans against the opposite counter to eat his.

I sigh contentedly and push my empty bowl aside, licking the last little speck from my lips. “Well, I must admit I do feel better.”

“Good. Making you feel good makes me happy, too.” His gaze widens as if he hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Grabbing both bowls he puts them in the sink. “Why don’t you try to sleep. If Eizlee wakes tonight, I’ll take care of her so you can get a full night’s sleep. Which I’m sure you haven’t had since this started.

“There may be a couple nights where I’ll need to be gone on business,” he continues, “and I’d like you to watch her for me. I’ll pay you like Vicky. Would you do that for me?”

“I need to move on, too.”

“Just give me a few days. It’s safe here and you have your own room. Please.”

The money could pay for a bus ticket. The farther I can go, the safer I’ll be. I nod. Climbing off the stool I head to the hallway and pause, “You were right, about the chocolate. Thanks.”

Sleep comes easier than it has in months.