Prologue
Mateo
“Stop.”
“Stop, please.”
“That’s enough. Stop.”
The words echo through my head as the pain from his blade overwhelms me even as Asher walks into the room. Each sharp slice feels like it’s moving through my skin in slow motion. When Mr. Jackson asked if he could cut me, I was hesitant. But when he pulled out that pile of cash, I decided a few extra marks on my back wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Unfortunately, he quickly tired of my back and decided my face was a better canvas. I tried to get him to stop, but he was too strong. Before I realized it, I was screaming and fighting him off me as he ripped a gash down my cheek. A lot of freaky shit goes on around here, so I wasn’t sure anyone would react to my cries at all. Thankfully, Brent was concerned when he heard me from the room next door and came to check on me. He burst through the door and got the creep to get off me before even more physical damage was done.
But it was too late to escape the emotional carnage.
Asher followed quickly behind Brent, kneeling over me to find out what happened. I was stupid. That’s the only explanation I could offer. The rules are clear that we’re not to allow any permanent injuries, but I let a few dollars sway me.
It’s totally my fault.
So here I am, clutching my robe around my body like a life preserve as Asher leads me from the room. The plush terrycloth is a weak barrier against the fear inside me that’s already beginning to brew. I thought those days were over, but years of repressed memories immediately shoot to the surface of my mind after my simple lapse in judgment.
I’m impressed by how well Asher is handling this. He’s been calm from the minute he saw me and as he walks me into Dr. Wilkins office, his demeanor is still composed. Tanner is already waiting in the exam room when I step inside.
“Mateo, I know you’re still shaken up, but I need to just take a quick look.” Dr. Wilkins is gentle as he presses a piece of gauze to my cheek.
Gentle or not, it hurts like hell. I draw in a sharp breath, causing the doctor to pause for just a second before continuing.
He takes his time, examining my face before turning his attention to the same openings scattered across my back and ass. “I think you’ll be just fine. We’ll get you patched up and good as new.”
Tanner gives me an encouraging nod, and I hold a stoic expression, hoping he doesn’t realize the doctor is lying. I’ll never be good or new again.
“That’s great news. Whatever needs to be done, Dr. Wilkins. I want no expenses spared for Mateo.” Tanner walks closer to me and places a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll let Asher know you’re going to be okay. I also need to make a few calls. Nothing like this will ever happen again, Mateo. I promise.”
“Thanks, Tanner.” I appreciate his assurances. And for the sake of everyone else at The Vault, I hope he’s right. But it’s too late for me. The damage has been done. My face is torn apart, and no one will ever want me again.
But I can’t worry about that right now. Right now, I need to relax and let the anesthesia relieve some of the pain I’m feeling. Although my face is the part of my body I’m most worried about scarring, the cuts on my back need the most attention.
“You’re lucky, you know.” Dr. Wilkins flushes my cheek with a saline solution to clean it out.
“How’s that?” I ask, not really caring about his response.
“The person who did this has had practice. It’s a clean cut that could have been much worse.”
Maybe that should give me some comfort, but it doesn’t. Just because he wasn’t a complete novice at fileting guys doesn’t make my pain any less. I can’t even imagine what I would look like right now if I was his first victim. Would I even be alive at all?
“The pain is getting worse.” The room is spinning like I’m drunk and I want to puke. “I’m starting to feel dizzy.”
“Just hold tight.” Dr. Wikins steps away for thirty seconds before he pokes my arm with a sharp needle. “Here’s a little something to calm your nerves.”
The fog of pain immediately lifts, leaving a different kind of pain behind. The kind that doesn’t go away with muscle relaxers or pain killers.
It seems like only seconds pass before Dr. Wilkins is tapping on my shoulder. “You’re all done, Mateo.” He takes a step back, so I can see him better from my prone position. “I want you to get some rest. I’m going to step out for just a moment, but I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure if I’m coherent as I begin to fall asleep, letting the sedation and my exhaustion take over.
When I open my eyes again, Tanner is sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He’s staring right at me and his shoulders drop when he realizes I’m awake too. “Hey, Mateo. How are you feeling?”
“Probably better than I look.”
“You look great,” he says with a wink. “Dr. Wilkins said I can take you home whenever you’re ready. But take your time. We’re in no rush.”
“I...” I’m what? Exhausted? Scared?
“I know there’s a lot to process right now, but I don’t want you to think about any of it. I want you to focus on getting better. I’ve rented a studio apartment for you to stay in for the next few weeks while you recover. Brent offered to stay with you and help make sure you’ve got everything you need...if that’s okay with you.”
“Tanner, you don’t have to do that...” I don’t want him to waste any more money on me. This is all my fault and now Tanner has to foot the bill for my stupidity.
“Mateo, you need time to heal up before you can work again. Besides, we don’t want to scare the new guys.” He smiles and walks to my side.
I know he’s teasing me but there’s truth in his words. I’m useless to him now and if I hang out at The Vault, I’ll do more damage to his reputation than I already have.
“Yeah, you’re right I guess.” Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to push my demons back down where I had them tucked away while I rest.
“Good. Now, you just work on getting better. And if you want to come back to work, you know the door is open at any time. However.” Tanner pauses and clears his throat. “I’m prepared to pay you out of your contract if you want to leave. I hate to see you go, but I’ll understand completely if that’s what you decide. So, think about it and don’t worry about making a decision until you’re all better. Okay?”
“Okay.” I close my eyes again and fall back asleep. When I wake again, the first few rays of orange and yellow sunlight are cresting the window. This time, it’s Brent waiting for me in the lonely chair sitting against the off-white backdrop of the room.
“Hey, buddy. You going to wake up for real this time so we can get to our new digs?” He laughs to break the awkward tension of the situation. Brent handles everything with sarcasm. But that’s probably better than my passive attitude about life. He embraces situations and then moves on. I envy him.
If anything bad has ever happened to him, you wouldn’t know it.
He’s stronger than just about anyone I know. Not only physically but in his heart and in his head.
That also makes him the complete opposite of me. Not only am I physically weak, but I’m also broken in the heart and the head.
Maybe Mr. Jackson knew what he was doing. Maybe he just had the location wrong and should have aimed for the jugular.