Chained (14 page)

It took me a second to process everything, but when Kit put Charlie in a strangle hold, it was enough to snap me out of it.

“Kit! Stop!”

Kit glared at me. “He was forcing himself on you, even though you told him to stop.”

I ran up to him and placed my hand on his arm. “Please, stop. He didn’t know what he was doing. I helped him in the bar area with those girls and things just got out of hand.”

Kit released his choke hold. Charlie hunched over, grabbing his neck and coughing. I rushed over to place my arm around Charlie, helping him to the sofa.

Kit’s nostrils flared. “What do you mean, ‘things got out of hand’?”

Once I knew Charlie was okay, I got up and walked over to Kit. “Those girls out there were all over him tonight, so I led them to believe he and I were together.”

Kit’s jaw tensed as he looked toward Charlie, then back at me. “How?”

I threw my hands up. “Does it matter?”

Kit grit his teeth. “How?”

“Olivia, who is this guy?” Charlie got up, but Kit stepped forward, stopping him. Charlie was in no way small, but he certainly didn’t compare to Kit. He was practically a giant next to Charlie.

“None of your fucking business.”

I gasped. I had never heard Kit talk to anyone like that.

“You got that wrong, pal. Olivia
is
my business. She works here.”

Kit stepped forward. “As your
employee
, not your girlfriend. You’ve stepped way over the fucking line.”

I placed my hand on Kit to stop him from lunging at him.

“I know!” Charlie shouted. “I only did it because I want her.”

I stood in between the two men. “Charlie, that was never going to happen. I’m not the type of girl to sleep around. I don’t do those types of relationships.”

Charlie timidly looked into my eyes. “I know. I just can’t help myself around you.”

Kit growled behind me. “That doesn’t give you an excuse to force yourself on her.” He was seething. I could tell that if I didn’t defuse the situation, it would get out of hand.

Swallowing, I turned. “Kit, calm down. I think we should leave.” I was doing this for Charlie’s benefit. I didn’t want to see him get hurt.

I turned to Charlie, begging him with my eyes. He stared for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, you can go. I’m sorry, Olivia. I didn’t mean to come on so strong.”

Kit moved forward, so I placed my hand on his chest. “No.” I glared at him to let Kit know I meant business.

Kit huffed, but took my hand and led me out the door. I grabbed my things, quickly saying goodbye to Megan. She looked completely bewildered and, surprisingly enough, so did the girls sitting at the table.

Making a mental note to text Charlie later, I walked outside and put on my coat. The minute I had everything sorted, Kit grabbed my hand and pulled me towards home.

“Kit, calm down. It’s not what you think.”

Kit growled a little, which kept me quiet. He was extremely mad and talking to him only seemed to add fuel to the fire.

We reached my house and, as usual, Kit opened the gate for me. I had the key in the door and opened it, assuming Kit had already left. I was surprised when I turned and he was coming through the door after me. He shut it behind him and stalked towards me.

Grabbing my waist, he pulled me towards him. The kiss was aggressive, assertive, and damn right sexy. He pushed his tongue into my mouth and I accepted it with a moan. Kit’s chest rumbled slightly as he frantically tried pulling my coat off. I let him take me roughly because I was under his deep spell. Every part of my body wanted him, craved him. I was desperate to feel his body on mine. Desperate to feel his every touch. Desperate to have him buried deep inside me.

Kit pushed me up against the wall and claimed my mouth with another assertive kiss. Our breathing was harsh and our bodies hummed in sweet anticipation.

Kit broke away, kissing and gently biting my neck. At first, I was lost in the moment, but when he tried to lift my skirt, clarity hit me like a ton of bricks.

“Kit, stop.”

I don’t think he heard because he continued pushing his hand up my thigh, reaching between my legs.

“Kit! Stop!” I slapped him hard across the face and he abruptly pulled away, standing on the other side of the hall. His eyes were wide and his breathing harsh as we stared at each other.

I shook my head with tears in my eyes. Suddenly being away from him, even at this short distance, felt painful.

“Not like this,” I whispered. “Not like this.”

I wanted him. My god, did I want him, but not under these circumstances. Not because he got jealous and wanted to claim me. I wanted our relationship to start on something better than that. I would gladly let him take me up against the wall. I would let him take me how he wanted me, but not under these circumstances. Not because of frustration and anger.

Kit’s eyes widened when he saw my expression. I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but it hardly surprised me when, after the look of pure pain in his eyes, he turned and walked out the door.

Once I heard the gate closing, I sank to the floor and cried. I was falling for Kit. I didn’t know anything about him, but I was haunted by him. Day and night, he consumed my thoughts and invaded my dreams.

After a couple minutes of sitting on the floor, I was about to get up when I heard my phone ping. Fetching it out of my bag, I noticed a message from Charlie.

Is everything ok? I’m so sorry about tonight.

I sighed, thinking how sorry
I
was. It was all my fault I got us into this mess tonight. I hit REPLY.

Everything’s fine, Charlie. We’ll talk soon. xx

I sighed, thinking it was just as well things took the turn they did tonight. I always knew he wanted to be friends with benefits, but that was never going to happen. I know I’d slept with that guy that one time, but it was just to lose my virginity. Lord knows why I was so desperate to lose it to just anybody. I guess my head wasn’t in the right frame of mind back then. If I could change it, I would, but I think a part of me at the time wanted to feel a connection. Any connection. It didn’t matter to me that someone was using my body to get their rocks off. I just wanted to feel anything but the emotional pain of seeing my father’s lifeless, dull eyes staring back at me time and time again. I wanted to be numb. I wanted an escape.

I didn’t hear back from Charlie after that, so I picked myself up of the floor and went to get ready for bed. I had another early start tomorrow morning at the soup kitchen.

But no matter how much I tried, nothing could prepare me for what was about to happen.

Chapter 13

After yet another sleepless night and getting my usual five hot drinks, I made my way to the soup kitchen feeling more apprehensive than ever before. I knew Wayne wouldn’t be there, but I prayed Rachel would. I was dying to find out if she was okay and if she needed any help. I wasn’t sure
how
I could help, but I certainly was going to try. She had been through enough with her daughter dying and being homeless for whatever reason. She certainly didn’t need to add this beating and what happened after.

As I made my way, my phone alerted me to a text message. I opened it thinking it was Charlie, but it was Uncle.

Still waiting, Livy. Call me when you get a chance. We need to make plans for your homecoming.

Shit! I knew this was coming, but I was hoping I’d have more time. I bit my lip, wondering if I should reply, but knowing it would be best for my treacherous body if I didn’t because it always let me down.

So, against my better judgement, I put the phone away and carried on walking.

When I got to the steps, I noticed that only Marcus was there. My god, this was getting worse. Where was everyone?

“Marcus, what’s going on?”

He looked at me with a confused expression. “I have no idea. I don’t know where anyone is.”

I bit my lip, but handed him his usual tea with three sugars. “Thanks, babes.”

I sat down next to him. In my eagerness to get there, I noticed I still had a little over ten minutes before I started.

“You look so worried,” he observed.

I looked at Marcus’ own concerned expression. “I
do
worry. I worry about you all.”

Marcus placed his hand on mine. “There’s no need to be. Some of us actually prefer things this way.”

I frowned. “How do you mean?”

Marcus laughed. “I used to be a lawyer.” My eyes widened. “Go figure, ha?” He took a sip of his tea. “I was like this power-hungry monster, Olivia. Everyone hated me. Even
I
hated me. I gained a lot of enemies because my struggle to get to the top consumed me. I was married, with a baby on the way, and I was dumb and stupid enough to think that my wife, Beth, was happy. She did everything for me, even though I was never home. I loved her, but I ignored her half the time because I was too busy working. Even at home, I would shut myself in the office at night and bury myself in cases. I defended scum. Scum I knew were guilty as hell, but I defended them anyway. I was an arsehole because only arseholes get to the top. I was so close to being made partner in the firm, I could almost taste it. But the problem was that being an arsehole only gets you so far. Before you realise it, everything is taken from you.”

I placed my hand on his arm, trying to offer him comfort. He was obviously struggling now. “What happened?”

Marcus sighed. “Losing Beth and the baby happened. She had a placental abruption and bled so much, she passed out. When I came home that night, I went straight into my office. My wife was lying dead in the kitchen, but I was more worried about my next case.” He shook his head in frustration.

“I came out at about two in the morning and went to bed. It was only when I noticed she wasn’t in bed that I went searching for her. That’s when I found her lying on the floor in a pool of blood.”

A tear ran down Marcus’ face as he looked at me. “She was desperate for that baby. So desperate, in fact, I took measures to make sure she got pregnant. There was a new drug that could help infertile women conceive. I had to give it a shot and it worked. It’s just… Now I wonder whether it was the new pill that killed her.” He huffed. “Well, that’s what I keep telling myself so I don’t keep thinking her death was all my fault.”

He sighed with a sniffle. “Anyway, that was my wake-up call. Nothing mattered to me after that. I sat at home and virtually drank myself to death. I had no friends or family because everyone had deserted me after the appalling way I treated people. And who could blame them? I was a fucking monster.” He shook his head.

After a deep breath, he continued, “Eventually, I lost everything. My job, then my house. For three years, I lived off the money I had saved, drowning myself in alcohol. It was the worst three years of my life. Once I lost my home, I thought that day marked the end of my life, but it brought me new meaning instead.”

I smiled when I noticed he was now smiling, too. “Really?”

Marcus’ face brightened. “I roamed the streets for a while, contemplating how I was going to end my life. After a few weeks, I bumped into Thomas. He showed me where he hung out and the friends who all rallied around him. I was accepted into their domain with open arms. No questions asked, no judgements made. That day opened my eyes and brought me hope. I realised there was far more to life than money and power.” He looked at me, capturing me with his dark brown eyes. “Friends, family, love… That’s more important than anything. It’s just a shame it took me so long to figure it out.”

I tugged at Marcus’ arm and lay my head on his shoulder. “You’re never alone with us, Marcus.”

I felt him kiss the top of my head and when I looked back up at him, he smiled. “I know. I wouldn’t know what to do without you all in my life.”

I thought back to when Uncle had found me all those months ago. I could empathise with Marcus because I was once in exactly the same position. The position when you realise you’re at the lowest point you can get. But, with help, I got better.

“You know, with your skills, you could always do something for the people. You know, like pro bono.”

He smiled and patted my hand. “I know. I’ve thought about it but, right now, I’m not in that place. I think just having people rallying around me is all the comfort I need for now. I don’t want to go back to that life again, Olivia. I swore I never would.”

I rubbed his arm. “And I’m sure you never would. You’ve been through too much to let that happen again.”

I looked at my watch and noticed I was now late. “Shit, I keep doing this!”

Marcus laughed. “Sorry, honey. That was all my doing.”

I shot up from the step. “Are you coming up in a few?”

Marcus nodded with a smile. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

*****

Today was slow, almost as if no one wanted to eat. Like food had suddenly become unnecessary. It didn’t help the fact that everyone I cared about, apart from Marcus, wasn’t there. I kind of figured Kit wouldn’t turn up because he was probably sulking after last night.

But what did I know? I didn’t know anything about that frustrating man. I knew things I needed to know, but not everything. For some reason, I knew I could trust him, though. I didn’t know why, but I just did. Except for what happened last night, I knew he never would have pushed. I just wished I knew what was going on in his head. I wished I knew what it was he felt. His emotions seemed to show themselves last night, but only through his actions. It was strange. Normally, people grumble that words aren’t enough, but I could do with words right now. Words seemed to be my best friend at the moment. I would love to hear some words from Kit.

If only he would open up to me.

I didn’t know how long I’d been standing in a daze by the food, but when my phone alerted me of a call, I quickly snapped out of it.

Rubbing my hands on my apron, I fetched my phone out of my pocket. It was a local number, but one I didn’t recognise.

“Hello?”

“Olivia!”

My heart sank. “Thomas? Thomas, is that you? Where are you?” I heard a chair scrape and Marcus ran over to me, a worried look on his face.

“I’m by Church Street at the corner of Wilkins. I think I found Rachel.”

I stared at Marcus. “Okay, Thomas. Hang in there. I’m on my way.”

I hung up the phone and Marcus stood there, waiting for me to speak. “Thomas is on Church Street at the corner of Wilkins. Do you know where that is?”

Marcus nodded. “It’s about a mile-and-a-half down the road.”

I took my apron off and hung it on the hook in the hallway, Marcus following my every move. “Will you come with me?”

He gave me a half-smile. “It goes without saying.”

I nodded and shouted for Tammy. Looking a little out of sorts, she emerged and stared at Marcus. “I need to get going. Are you going to be okay here? It’s really quiet anyway.”

Tammy huffed out an exasperated sigh. “I guess so.”

I didn’t hang around to argue. I picked up my things and ran outside with Marcus.

“She’s a barrel of laughs, isn’t she?” Marcus observed.

I shook my head with a smile. “Don’t get me started.” I followed Marcus because he knew exactly where to go. I was still a little rusty on some of the areas. I knew the main areas, but beyond that, I’d be lost.

It took a good twenty-five minutes to get there, but once we turned the corner of Wilkins Street, we saw Thomas. “Shit, Olivia. I’m so sorry.”

I ran up to him, putting my arms out to try and calm him. “What’s the matter, Thomas? What is it?”

He bit on his nail, looking flustered. “When I called you, I didn’t know.”

I frowned. “Know what?”

“I got this tip on her whereabouts and, on the way, I found this phone box.” He pointed to the red box on the corner. “Anyway, when I knew you were coming, I went to the place to find her.” He pointed to a warehouse just a little further down the street.

“Did you find her?”

Suddenly, Thomas looked ill. He nodded, whispering, “Yes.”

I sprinted in the direction of the warehouse, determined to get to her and make sure she was okay.

“Olivia!” Thomas shouted behind me. “Olivia, you shouldn’t go in there.”

I didn’t listen to him as I sprinted towards the warehouse. If Rachel needed me, I was going to make sure I was there for her.

“Olivia! Please!”

I kept on running until I reached the entrance to the huge warehouse. All was quiet. Not a sound filled the air.

I stepped in with a shudder. Something was telling me all was not right, but my need to see Rachel outweighed all that. I ventured further in and saw two young girls on a mattress. They were scantily dressed and looked like they hadn’t bathed in weeks. Both were obviously high on drugs as their eyes were glassy and unfocused.

I looked to my left and saw a black man in his forties sitting down laughing. When he saw me, he pointed. “Hey, gorgeous girl. Fancy a fuck?” He laughed again and licked his lips, but I ignored him and ventured on.

I walked into the hall where two people were having sex. A man on top of this young girl. She barely looked seventeen, but was obviously as high as a kite. The man was grunting and moaning on top of her, but the only expression on her face was vacancy. She didn’t even acknowledge the fact that I was standing there. Her eyes just rolled into the back of her head, the man picking up his pace.

I didn’t hang around. I wanted out of there, but I also wanted to make sure Rachel was okay. I saw some stairs and was about to go up when I felt a hand on my arm.

Gasping, I turned and saw both Thomas and Marcus standing there, out of breath.

Thomas looked up the stairs. “You shouldn’t go up there.”

The man having sex with the young girl roared, then all went silent. I was in a fucking nightmare.

Thomas glanced in that direction, looking disgusted. “This isn’t a place for you.”

I pulled my arm away. “It isn’t a place for you, either, Thomas, but you’re still here.” He sighed and I made my way up the stairs, both men following.

“Olivia, you really shouldn’t go in there. Please.”

I ran up the stairs before he could stop me and entered another vast room. I saw a couple sleeping in the corner, and another few people were smoking something I could only imagine was illegal. Used needles and condoms were scattered around. It smelled, but I resisted the urge to gag.

As I walked forward, I spotted her. Rachel lay on an old, dirty mattress, face down, a needle stuck in her arm. Her eyes were wide and her skin looked pale. I started to rush forward, but Thomas grabbed me.

“Rachel!” I screamed, but there was no movement from her at all. “Rachel!” I screamed again, trying to get to her, but two sets of arms were holding me back.

“Get off me. I need to help her. Rachel!” I tried pulling myself away from the arms, but they wouldn’t budge.

“She needs help. Let me go. Why aren’t you letting me go?” I could feel my breath coming in gasps and the tears welling at the sudden knowledge that she wasn’t moving and probably hadn’t in a long time.

Thomas pulled me back to him. “Olivia, she’s dead. I’m so sorry, but she’s dead.”

I sank into his arms and screamed. My body started shaking as intense sobs wracked through me. I stared into the lifeless eyes of the woman who had lost her daughter the exact same way. It was hard to take. Hard to see her like that. When I was met by the same lifeless eyes as my father, I turned and gripped onto the lapels of Thomas’ jacket. I sobbed as he stroked my hair.

“It’s okay, Olivia. I’ve got you. I’m so sorry. I should never have let you come up here.”