Glancing in the rearview mirror of my car on the way home from work, I look at the fading bruise on my face and run my finger over my skin. It’s been a few days since Mason attacked me at the shop and since then the guys have assured me that he won’t be a problem anymore. My sister happened to be sound asleep that night when Logan dropped me off at home, so she had no clue what had happened until she saw the welt on my face the next morning. She’s been texting me every day since then at least an hour before I leave work to check on me and make sure I’m not alone.

I’m pulling up to my house and the driveway is full of cars. Lee and his scummy friends are here. Dread settles in my stomach knowing my sister is home alone with them. I forgot that mom had to work late tonight. I know she told him not to come back. Mom kicked him out after their last fight. He’s been gone for several weeks. I bet she doesn’t even know he’s here at the house.

Parking my car on the street, I jump out and make my way to the house. I can already hear the loud music coming from inside.

Opening the front door, I’m immediately hit with the stench of cigarettes and sweat. I spot the low life himself, sitting at the kitchen table with three of his friends. I ignore their eyes leering at me as I head straight to mine and Alba’s room.

I open the door and don’t see her. My heart starts racing and I begin to panic. I feel a light breeze that has me looking to my right, noticing the window is open. Rushing over I look out into the night. That’s when it hits me. She’s at the park. Walking back through the kitchen, I pass Lee making my way to the front door.

“Where you off to, Bella?” He says with a drunken slur.

I don’t bother responding to him. That prick is an afterthought. I walk out slamming the door behind me.

When I arrive at the park, it’s so dark I can hardly see. I dig in my purse for my cell phone to use as a flashlight.

This is the place Alba comes to feel safe when things get too overwhelming at home. She knows this is the first place I’d look if I needed to find her. I know exactly where she’ll be—the top of the tube slide.

Climbing the steps of the jungle gym, I make it to the top and see the glow of her flashlight she carries on her keychain. She’s sitting just inside the opening with her legs crossed, the light shining on the book cradled in her lap. I stand there for a minute looking at my little sister. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t have to climb out of the bedroom window and walk to a park at night just to hide because she doesn’t feel safe in her own home.

She senses me and turns her head.

“Hey, Bella.”

“Hi, kiddo.”

“Lee showed up,” she says.

“I know, I was just there. You weren’t in the room, so I knew I’d find you here. You know you can call me anytime, even when I’m at work.”

“I know, Bella, but you just started that new job, and I didn’t want you to get in trouble having to leave early because of me.”

“Alba, you come first, you hear me? No job is more important than you.”

“But—” she starts to protest.

“No buts, Alba. Next time you call me, okay?”

“Okay, I promise,” she sighs while swiping at a tear that rolls down her cheek.

“Come here.”

I sit down beside her. She scoots closer to me, laying her head in my lap for me to stroke her hair.

“It’s going to be okay, Alba. I’ve got this new job now, and it pays more than the grocery store. I’m able to save money, and soon I’ll be able to afford to get our own place.”

* * *

I’m a little nervous driving into work the next day. My sister has school break coming up in a few weeks, and after what happened last night, I can’t risk leaving her home alone all day knowing Lee could be hanging around. I need to ask Jake if I can bring her into work with me while she’s out of school.

In the short time I’ve been working at Kings, Jake has been nothing but kind, but asking him such a huge favor has me a bit nervous.

I arrive the same time as Jake, and I see him getting off his bike. Of course, he also has a pink box in his hand. Every morning I’ve worked here he has been stopping at this cute little bakery in town. It opened about six months ago. They have the best pastries. I suspect that his obsession with donuts has something to do with the pretty baker that owns the place.

“Good morning, Jake.”

“Mornin’, sweetheart.”

Walking in, I see Logan and Quinn are already here. They usually come in early to set up for the day.

“Hey, Prez. What’s with the donuts every day?” Quinn questions, with a knowing smile.

“I like donuts,” Jake tells him.

Quinn, being Quinn, wasn’t letting it go.

“Yeah, they are pretty kickass. In fact, they’re so good, I’m thinking of going to town, so I can personally tell that sexy as hell, redheaded baker exactly how much I enjoy her sweet treats,” He says that last part while wiggling his eyebrows.

He must have a death wish, because as soon as those words leave his mouth, Jake punches him in the face.

“You go anywhere near Grace, and I’ll personally rip your goddamn balls off!” Jake declares with fury in his voice.

I’m standing there, stunned. I look over at Logan, and he’s smiling. Turning my attention back to Quinn, who is now picking himself up off the floor. He’s wiping the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, but also has the biggest damn grin on his face.

“You son of a bitch!” Jake growls, before stomping off to his office.

“I can’t believe you did that to him.” I fuss.

He winks at me and turns back to the bike he was working on.

I turn, looking back at Logan just as he’s walking off muttering ‘idiot’ under his breath.

Later, I make my way to Jake’s office. Hopefully, he’s cooled down from this morning and not in a pissed off mood. I see his door closed, so I knock.

“What!”

I poke my head in. “Hey Jake, you got a minute?”

When he sees it’s me, his face softens. “Sure, sweetheart. Whatcha need?”

I let out a deep sigh. “My sister is out of school for spring break in a few weeks, and I wanted to ask if I can bring her into work with me during the day that week? I promise she won’t be in the way. You won’t even know she’s here.”

“Ah, not that I mind her being here, Bella. Isn’t she old enough to be left alone?”

He’s right. Alba is eighteen, well past the age of needing a babysitter.

Seeing that I’m reluctant to answer his question, he asks. “Is there a reason why your sister can’t stay home?”

I avoid looking at him. Wondering... should I tell him about Lee?

“Bella, look at me.”

When I do, I see concern on his face.

“Now, tell me why you can’t leave her at home by herself.”

I plop down in the chair sitting in front of his desk. “My stepdad, let’s just say he’s not a good man, and he keeps showing up after my mom has told him he’s not welcome. I don’t trust him.” I state.

By the dark look on his face, I don’t need to say anymore.

“I’ll tell you what. You bring your sister in with you when she’s out on break. I also want her here every day starting today after school as well. If we’re busy and you’re not able to pick her up, then one of the brothers will. You good with all that?”

I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I lean over and put my head in my hands, releasing a huge breath. By the time I look back up, Jake has knelt in front of me.

He looks me straight in the eyes. “You’re not alone any more Bella. You have me, and you have the club.”

Trying to blink away the tears. I nod. “Thank you.”

Walking back to the front desk after leaving Jake’s office, I run into Logan.

“What the hell, Bella? Why the fuck are you crying?”

“I’m fine,” I sigh. “I promise.”

“You’re not fuckin’ fine. Tell me why you’re coming out of Jake’s office with tears in your eyes.”

“I had a minor problem, and Jake was helping me out. That’s all.”

“What kind of fuckin’ problem. Don’t even think about lying to me, babe,” he growls.

“I was asking him if I could bring my sister with me to work while her school is on break. I don’t trust our piece of shit stepdad.”

“Why the fuck not? What’s that motherfucker been doing Bella?”

“Nothing...yet. He’s just a creep, and I don’t trust him.”

I can see Logan’s body tense and his fists clench at my words. Wanting to calm him down, I put my hand on his arm.

“Look, Jake’s helping me out. He said Alba can come in with me and every day after school.”

He reaches up, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear and says, “From now on, if you got a problem with that motherfucker, you come tell me. Okay, Angel?”

This is the first time Logan has touched me since kissing me. For some reason, he seems to be putting distance between us. Like right now. I know he wants to kiss me. I see it his eyes. He’s confusing me with all the mixed signals lately. I have no clue which way to go with him.

* * *

It’s Sunday, my day off. I decided to get out and take Alba shopping. With what Jake is paying me, I can afford to go out and buy us some new clothes for the upcoming summer. The both of us haven’t had new stuff in a while since money has been tight trying to help my mom catch up. We’ve been doing a lot of shopping at second-hand stores, but my sister has never complained and has always been grateful for whatever could be provided. It feels good that I can treat her today, so I’ve brought us to the vintage boutique downtown, and then later I’m taking her to the bookstore.

“I’m thinking of getting a tattoo for my birthday,” I say while browsing the racks.

“Really,” Alba beams, her head popping out from behind a blue shirt she’s holding up.

“I swear, Alba. If you get another blue shirt.”

“Don’t change the subject, Bella.”

My sister is obsessed with blue. I believe everything she owns is blue.

“I want to come too,” she demands.

“Of course, you’re coming with me. You think I would do it without you?” I smile at her.

“Where are you getting it done? Doesn’t the club have a place?”

“Yeah. I was talking with Quinn about it the other day. He said to go have Gabriel work on me.”

“Ooh, I like that name. He has the perfect sexy billionaire book name.”

I roll my eyes at her comment. “You, and your books.”

A flash of red reflecting through the storefront windows catches my attention as a bright red Camaro pulls into the parking spot next to my car. I watch as two women get out and walk towards the store. The bell over the door chimes. I watch as they both walk in. One has short bleach blonde hair and her friend has medium length black hair. The blonde is wearing a crop top showing her stomach and a jean skirt that barely covers her ass cheeks. Her friend is dressed the same. Both outfits screaming look at me and the strong smell of perfume that follows them is nauseating.

As we continue to shop, I notice the blonde giving me a nasty look. I have no idea what her problem is. I don’t even know her.

“Do you know that woman?” Alba asks, glancing back over her shoulder at them.

“No.”

“Well, she looks like she wants to pull your hair out.”

Just then, the blonde and her friend walk over to us. The sound of her clearing her throat makes me cringe. She’s standing there with her hand on her hip and a sneer on her face.

“Bitch, you need to stay away from my man.”

Has this little twit lost her mind? “Um, I don’t know who the hell you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about Logan. He’s my man, and I want you to stay the fuck away from him.”

Logan has a woman? What the hell? All the texting, the phone calls... the kiss. That’s why he’s been a little distant. You know what, I could care less about her being with Logan. Who am I kidding, I’m lying to myself. I do care. I want Logan. Turns out he doesn’t want me.

Collecting myself, I stand a little taller and look her right in the eyes. “Look, Logan and I work together, that’s it. So whatever you think is going on between us, isn’t. He’s not interested in me.”

“Oh, I know he doesn’t want you, because he was just telling me the other night how good my pussy is.” she says while her friend snickers beside her.

I hold my hand up to stop her from talking any further. “You know what? I think it’s time for twat one and twat two to go on about their business.”

I feel Alba pulling on my arm. “Come on Bella, let’s just go,” she pleads with me.

If my sister wasn’t with me, there would be no way I’d back down from this bitch, but my sister is not a fighter and always avoids confrontations. She is the only person I would show this much restraint for. So, as much as it pains my ass, I grit my teeth and we walk away.

Coming out of the store, I walk over to twat one’s car I saw her climb out of earlier. I take the keys in my left hand and proceed to drag them across the hood of her car, and all the way down the driver’s side.

Sliding into my car, I look over at Alba. She has her mouth hanging open.

“What?” I say innocently shrugging my shoulders.

“Don’t let people walk all over you, Alba. I may have walked away from that skank just now, but when she comes out and gets a look at her car, the bitch will have a pretty good idea who did it.”

Keying her car might seem petty, but right now knowing how much it’s going to cost her to fix it is worth it. At least, that’s what I tell myself. I partially did it because my feelings are a raging mess after hearing Logan has a woman.

I feel so stupid.

How could I have not seen that he had a woman already? Was I that blind?