Chapter Nine
Ashland
I dropped my ass into one of the chairs around the breakfast table by the window, the one nearest the window, incidentally one that I had never sat in before. If I was home and eating, I usually sat at the bar. The barstools were high and the view out the window just as good. Plus it was more conveniently located near the kitchen. But I sat at the table right now because it was farthest from my bedroom. I had left the door open because I didn’t want to disturb them while they were sleeping and because I didn’t want Frances to panic. She was cautious and maybe a little paranoid, both of those understandable responses given her circumstances. She was like an animal that had been abused. No strike the metaphor. Whoever the asshole was who had done that to her was the animal. And he would get his due. I would see to it. I would make it a priority.
But one step at a time.
First I needed to get her better and get her to trust me so I could help her and her sister. Then she would tell me who had abused her, and I would dispense justice. But all that was going to take some time. And I had to keep her close to earn that trust. So the first order of business today was sitting my ass in view of the apartment door so she couldn’t sneak out on me and possibly go back to her tormentor. That was a very real concern in my mind. I’d seen it played out with Linc and his father, the abuser somehow warping things in a way that the victim believed they deserved the abuse they endured.
Not happening here. Not again. Not with her. Not this thin wisp of a girl with eyes that flashed fire. No one was snuffing out that flame. Not on my watch. Not if I had any say in it.
I slid my cell from my front pocket and scrolled to a number. She answered on the first ring.
“Hey, Ash,” Karen said. “What’s going on?” I could hear water running in the background. “You coming over for breakfast this morning? We have migas.”
“Sorry, but I can’t. I’m kinda tied up.” For real not a fake excuse this time. “And I need your help.”
“Sure. What can I do?” No questioning just an immediate ‘I’ve got your back’ response that further drove home the point Ramon had been trying to make during our last phone call.
“Well you’re probably not going to believe it, but I’ve got our Lakers Girl here.”
“Here as in your apartment here?”
“Yeah.”
“How’d you manage that? Or how did she manage that? I haven’t even been up there. Neither has Ramon.” Now Linc words came to mind. Maybe I was a bit of a recluse. These were my friends, yet I had been shutting them out. Guilt rolled around inside of me. But what good was guilt except an excuse if it didn’t prompt a change inside of you?
“Well it’s nothing that she or I did. Some sadistic asshole worked her over really badly.”
“Oh, No! I’ve been afraid for her, a young, pretty girl like her all alone on the street.”
Pretty? How could she sound so certain? I mean I suspected. Sure. The bone structure was there, and she had those gorgeous silver eyes, but her face had been covered in grime every time I had seen her and now was distorted by the swelling. Frances was young, definitely. I had seen that and felt it in the lithe body that had been pressed so appealingly to mine. Yeah, I might be a total pervert to notice with her in her condition. But hey, it was impossible not to considering how long it had been since I’d had a woman in my arms. Especially one who so intrigued me.
“How badly is she hurt?” Karen’s tone was highly pitched with concern.
“She got pretty roughed up. And I get the idea this isn’t the first time something like this has happened to her. I think you’re totally right about an abusive background. But anyway, there’s more. You know how I always thought she was hiding something important down around the pier? Well she was for sure. Only it wasn’t a something. It was a someone. A younger sister.”
“No way.” She cursed under her breath and my brow rose. “I should have left more food. I bet they’re both half starved.”
“They are.”
“Is she…” Her voice snagged on worry. “Is her sister hurt, too?
“No just scared.” Both of them were wary and frightened, though Frances tried not to let her fear show. Not to spare my feelings, but because I think she wanted to shield Hollie from it. She was so admirably protective of her younger sister. “They scarfed down all the eggs and toast I put on their plates yesterday. But now all my supplies are gone, and I don’t have anything else to feed them.” And I couldn’t leave them here alone. I didn’t trust them not to take off the minute my back was turned. Right back to the street and certain danger. “I can’t call a delivery service either. I’ve barely won their trust. A stranger coming up here would negate the minuscule progress I’ve made.”
“I’ll bring some food right over.”
“I was hoping you would. Thank you.” I felt my lips curve up. Karen was a great friend and a good match for Ramon. I was glad they had found their way to each other. “But no need to rush. They’re sleeping right now.”
“Oh well that’s good. I’ll run by Lavons. Get some toiletries and stuff girls like. I bet you don’t have anything like that.” She was right. I never encouraged Renee or anyone else to stay overnight. I had bar soap and clean towels in the guest bath and jack but my own shit in the master bath. And I didn’t even get that stuff myself. I just made a list, a short one usually, for the housekeeper who came twice a week to clean and get things for me that I ran out of. Nice clothing was about the only thing I cared about and preferred to try on and purchase for myself. Thinking about clothes made me remember how threadbare Frances’ and Hollie’s clothing was.
“Do you think you could also bring them some outfits and things from Offshore?”
“Of course. But what size is the sister?”
“I don’t know. Maybe just a little shorter.”
“The obsession continues.”
“What?”
“Hate to point this out, Ash. But you don’t seem to notice anything but our Lakers Girl when she’s around.”
“Oh.” I frowned at myself for being so transparent. And recommitted to tempering the obsession that had me acting irrationally and could have gotten Frances killed. “Give me a second. I’ll peek in my bedroom and guestimate about the sister and call you back.”
“You’ve got them both in your bed?” She sounded incredulous.
“Well, yeah. So? The bed’s a king. My room’s bigger and nicer.” I shrugged. Even to my own ears I sounded like I was justifying.
“Ok, Ash. Whatever you say. Do the size guessing thing and let me know. Then I’ll get everything together and be over shortly. I suggest you give them a heads up that I’m coming.”
“I will. But just you. Not Ramon. Frances knows you.” I think she would extend her trust to Karen with less hesitancy than she had to me.
“Frances?” she inquired.
“Our Lakers Girl. Her name is Frances. And oh, could you bring her a hat? Maybe a purple or a black one?” Those colors would go great with her pretty grey eyes. Well, they would when the swelling went down. “Her head’s going to be cold,” I explained.
“Did she lose her Lakers cap?”
“That’s the least of it.” I went on to explain. Best to prepare Karen so she could hide her shock at Frances’ appearance better than I had.
~ ~ ~
Fanny
“Shit!” I stumbled, and my legs came out from under me as I stepped from the shower. “Ahh!!!” I cried, landing on my bare butt, my breath expelling in a rush.
I hadn’t been able to resist the allure of a shower, but I had underestimated the weakness of my abused body and the slickness of the travertine floor. A little woozy from the fall and everything else, I swayed as I regained my feet, only to gasp at the sound of a loud metallic groan accompanied by the additional sound of splintering wood. Not knowing what was going on, I snapped a towel from the warming rack behind me and just managed to whip it lengthwise in front of my dripping wet naked body when first Ashland and then Hollie appeared in the entrance to the bath.
“What’s wrong? I heard you cry out.” My sister swept a concerned gaze over me.
“I slipped and fell.” I felt my cheeks flame as I explained. But there were other distracting things going on with me that had nothing to do with the pain in my tailbone and everything to do with the way Ashland was currently staring. Appearing enraptured, he hadn’t spoken a single word since he had come in. His expression and his oceanic gaze spoke volumes. Approving volumes, it seemed as he raked his gaze over me once again noticeably slower.
Gosh, Fanny let go of the fantasy and get a grip, I told myself. And it worked. Though my arms and legs continued to tremble, I managed the wherewithal to wrap the towel around myself.
“Are you ok?” Hollie glanced back and forth between Ashland and me. Her signature brow lifted when she looked at me. “Fan…Frances, hey.” She snapped her fingers in front of my face, and I returned my attention to her. So Ashland had seen me naked. He was only reacting the way most guys would. Ok, maybe not like most guys. My face was a mess. I was bald, and my body was all sharp angles minus the extra weight that created feminine curves. Most guys probably would have winced and looked quickly away.
“You must have gotten the water to hot,” Hollie decided as I blinked slowly at her. “You’re all flushed and everything. Plus, you look a little woozy.”
Yeah you think? A man who resembled the mighty Thor with his long blond hair and piercing blue eyes staring at you in the buff was a little disconcerting. Ok a lot. I gave her the look, the one that said all of that with an added a plea for her to let it rest. She knew about my infatuation with Ashland Keys. She knew he lived in OB. When we had gotten stuck here, I had told her I would keep my distance. I knew she worried that my seeing him again would stir up the old pain of his rejection. I convinced her my only concern was him recognizing me and blowing my cover, that the whole fangirl phase of my life with him and his band was over, that he couldn’t affect me anymore. Apparently I had been lying to myself as well as her. One interested glance from him left me trembling. His penthouse might be a better place than the streets was for us right now, but it wasn’t entirely safe.
Not for me.
“You shouldn’t have showered alone.”
Um, what? My gaze swung to him. I was pretty sure Hollie’s jaw came unhinged as he strode directly to me and swept me off my feet.
Again.
“Uh, how else am I supposed to get clean?” I asked unsettled by the way his touch singed and sent shimmery sensations skating through me even through the thick cotton towel.
“Your sister can help you.”
“Oh, yes, of course.” My addled mind had processed his statement as a naked party invitation for two. Us two. Aftereffects of the hotness assault on my senses continued as he effortlessly carried me into the bedroom.
“I don’t need to be toted everywhere, big guy,” I protested as he gently deposited me in the bed. His hair silky cool against my hands, I unwound my arms from his strong neck, faster this time around than the previous time he had carried me. But I self-indulgently allowed my fingertips a long lingering glide along the smooth skin of his shoulders. His eyes darkened as if from desire, and I felt him shudder as I withdrew them. “I…I have a busted nose not broken legs.”
“You fell,” he reminded me, his gaze cobalt and intense as he stared down at me, his eyes actively searching mine.
“I slipped,” I corrected, and he smiled slowly. My disagreeing with him seemed to please him.
“You’re feeling better.” It was a statement, but it held enough of an up tilt at the end that I answered.
“Yes. All the rest is helping a lot.” I hadn’t slept so soundly since before Hollie and I had fled. “The compresses, too. Only my nose hurts, and I’ve got a killer headache.” My bum hurt, too, but I didn’t mention that.
“Tylenol again today and alternating warm compresses and ice packs for the swelling. Does that sound good?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.” He straightened. I tipped my head back reluctant to give up his gaze. “Karen’s coming over with more food. Some clothes.” His eyes swept over me, and I suddenly remembered my near nakedness. “You can wear one of my shirts until she gets here.”
“Um, does she have to come in?” I tipped my head to the side to regard Hollie. She was hovering in the periphery. Her eyes shared my concern about Karen recognizing her. Her bottom lip creased between her teeth while my hands did a nervous flutter. “I mean, I appreciate her bringing those things over. But…” I struggled for a believable excuse. Ashland might not have recognized Hollie. He was a guy. Ten years and then some from her major teenage fan demographic. But Karen and Simone were a whole other matter. Fashion conscious women. Likely readers of celebrity magazines. Hollie had graced the covers of the major ones before we had fled. Now it was likely we were both featured in a media blitz with whatever spin our stepfather had put on our disappearance.
“What Fa-Frances won’t say is that she’s embarrassed to have Karen see her like this.”
“I understand.” Ash’s gaze swung back to me. Just a look from him made my nerves hum. “But Karen knows what happened. I prepared her. She’s not the type of person who puts a lot of stock in outward appearance anyway. She’s not gonna care if you have a broken nose or no nose. Only that someone who matters to her got hurt.”
I nodded. Sudden emotion made my throat too tight to speak. I had gotten those vibes from Karen for sure. From both her and Simone. But Karen had moved beyond that, taking an active interest, seeking me out at the recycling center and getting involved now when most would have distanced themselves from a woman whose life was such a mess. If she only knew the half of it.
“Don’t stress about Karen. I’ll explain to her how you feel. She’s not gonna like it. But I’ll tell her you’ve got enough to worry about right now. To give you a little space to process and get your body better before she hits you with the full press of her concern. But I hope you get that we’re both here to help you however we can.”
“Why?” I held my breath as his gaze narrowed even further. “You’ve been chasing me and now I’m here in your apartment. I don’t understand why you want to help me.”
“I was chasing you to thank you for saving Karen’s life. She’s important to me. To all of us. I think just from the little you know about her you’re getting an inkling why.”
For sure I did, so I nodded. I got that both he and Karen were extraordinary people.
“I took the thanking thing a little too far.” He got a look on his face that gave me the impression there was more behind his motivation to pursue me, but he had decided it wiser not to share. “I feel responsible for you being on the street as long as you were. If you hadn’t been running from me all the time you might already have been off of it. You’re on Karen’s radar. She’s not going to give up on you, and neither will the rest of us. You sealed your fate the day you pushed her out of the way of that moving vehicle. With her, with me, Ramon, Simone, Linc. All of us. You proved the type of person you are, a sacrificial one who would risk her own safety for another, a person like Karen. A person herself worthy of saving.”