I gave him a shy smile. After my dramatic moment last night, I was not quite sure how to act in front of him.
I slowly sat up on the bed and without a word, went to the bathroom. I took a couple of deep breaths, allowing my pounding heart to steady.
My heart was pounding? Shit!
I went to the sink to wash my face and brush my teeth with the new toothbrush Nicholas had provided me the night before. I stared at my face in the mirror for a long moment. I have a persistent blush on my face that wouldn’t seem to go away.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I was pretty sure that my father’s evil machinations had nothing to do with the blush on my face.
When I came out of the room, Nicholas was no longer in bed. Instead, I found a new set of shorts and an oversized shirt, along with a new pair of purple slippers on top of the mattress.
I dressed in the new clothes that Nicholas provided. I was glad that the boy shorts I washed last night had already dried up. At least I didn’t have to worry about going commando under his clothes again.
I came downstairs and found Nicholas dressed in a pair of jeans and a black shirt. He was sitting in the living room waiting for me.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Where are we going?”
“Breakfast. I want to take you to Margaret, but I’m a hundred percent sure she would ask about your cuts and bruises. So we’ll go somewhere else. And I figured you might want to buy a few clothes.”
“Nicholas, it’s okay. I can go home.”
He raised a brow at me. “Unless you go to the police first, you will not step foot in that house.” His voice told me he meant that.
“I can’t stay here,” I argued. “I’m imposing too much on you already.”
He shook his head, walked toward me, and then gently put his hands on my shoulders. “Unless I’m sure you’re reporting what happened to you to the authorities and filing a restraining order against your father, or you’re willing to stay with Brett’s family, you’re staying with me. I will not let that bastard near you without anybody protecting you.”
“Everything I own is in that house.”
“You can let Brett take them later when you’re ready to tell him what happened.”
“I don’t have any money.”
“Breakfast’s my treat.” He grinned.
“Yey! I can eat one more meal,” I said sarcastically.
He took my hand in his and pulled me toward the front door. “Right now, don’t think past breakfast, okay? I’m starving.”
When we reached his car, he opened the passenger door for me. I got in without another protest. I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do. But I must admit that Nicholas was right. I couldn’t go to my house. There was a huge chance that I would not be able to get out of it. My father would lock me up in that house, and he would cut off my communication with anybody who was not under his payroll. He would not risk me going to the police and reporting what he did. The farther away I was from him, the safer I would be.
We went past Margaret’s diner, and Nicholas drove half a mile more. He stopped at a gas station that had fast food beside it. I ordered eggs, bacon, and toasted buns. I wanted to eat as much as I could. Who knows? This could be my last meal for the day. I didn’t have any money, and I had never begged anybody for food. I didn’t think I would like to start with Nicholas. I already owed him too much for what he did for me since last night.
“We’ll go to a shopping mall a few miles from here,” he said. “You need to get some clothes.”
“Nicholas, my wallet, my cash, and cards are all in my room. And it’s a weekend. I can’t withdraw without an ATM.”
He narrowed his striking brown eyes at me. “Silly me! Why didn’t I think of that before?” he said sarcastically. I raised a brow at him. “Seriously, did I say I was gonna make you pay for your shopping today?”
“Nicholas, no. This is my problem to solve. My thing to deal with!” I was getting frustrated with him.
He stared at me for a while, studying me. I could see the frustration on his face. Then he took a deep breath. “Mackenzie Belle, do you have to be so stubborn all the time?” In spite of his words, his expression turned gentle and slightly amused. “I’m not judging you; surely you know that by now. You could be anything and anybody you wanted to be in front of me. I won’t even psychoanalyze you.
“You didn’t want to have your father arrested even for just a couple of minutes, so he would be in the police station while we go inside your house and get your stuff. You didn’t want to tell Brett, who was probably the only person who could sneak inside your house to steal your things for you. You didn’t want his father to know what your father did because that might result in the brothers killing each other.
“So what do you plan to do, kitten? Hire a professional thief to steal your stuff in your house and pay them only when they get past your father’s tight security? And do not even tell me you’re thinking of bringing Jen Gracie into the picture.”
I didn’t know, but hearing Nicholas say Jen’s name actually got on my nerves, and I couldn’t help getting even more perplexed than I already was. “Don’t worry. Your precious little girlfriend is the least of my worries right now!”
Nicholas narrowed his eyes at me. He opened his mouth to say something and then decided against it. He leaned on his seat and looked away from me. We were both quiet for the next five minutes.
Telling Jen was out of the question. I doubted she wouldn’t tell anybody what happened to me if she found out. Some people call themselves your best friend but would not hesitate to sell you out the very minute your friendship is put to the test.
I was Jen’s best friend for years, and I truly loved her and sincerely wanted the best for her. Now, I knew she hated me. No matter what I did for her, Jen would never appreciate me.
Letting Jen go felt like getting out of a long-term relationship. The betrayal felt the same because I knew I sincerely cared for her. I was that person who stood by her. This experience taught me that giving so much devotion to another person didn’t mean they would do the same for you.
Right now, I should not be thinking about Jen. I’ve got bigger problems to think about now—more basic problems such as, how will I eat? Where will I sleep? How will I change my clothes?
I guess Nicholas was right. He was not just my best option right now. He was my only option.
When I finally found the courage to look at him, I found that he was studying me. He looked frustrated, but the concern was still evident. He knew what was going on in my mind, and I had no doubt that he knew I needed him. I also had no doubt that regardless of what came out of my mouth, Nicholas Atkins was not leaving my side today.
I wish Isabella and my mother were here. I wouldn’t be in this hopeless situation if they didn’t die, if they didn’t leave me. I missed them now more than ever.
I knew that my eyes were brimming with tears, and I would break down again any minute. I stood up from my seat and ran out of the diner. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. Nicholas was quick to follow me. I felt him pull my elbow and gently made me face him. He held my tear-stained face between his palms and forced me to look at him.
“It’s okay, kitten,” he said gently. “It’s okay.” He wiped my tears with his fingertips, and then gently, he pulled me into a hug. “It’s okay to need somebody sometimes. To let somebody take care of you for a change.” He took a deep breath. “Let me help you. You can pay me back once you get back on your feet. But for now, just let it go. You can be weak with me, and I won’t let you fall. You have to learn how to trust somebody. You can trust me.”
Finally, I admitted defeat, feeling the lowest of lows. I couldn’t believe that this guy, who I vowed to destroy, was the only thing anchoring my spirit to my body right now. He was the only thing that was making sense in life at this moment.
I pulled away from him so I could look into his eyes. “Why?” I whispered. “Why are you doing this?”