Chapter 18

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Heidi sat on the couch in Glen's living room, nursing a glass of whiskey. She swallowed and scrunched her nose at the aftertaste. Glen pushed the coffee table out of the way and sat beside her. Afraid she'd pass out on him again, he kept his hand on her back.

She handed him the glass. "I'm okay now."

He passed the drink to Wayne, who passed it to Thad, who made Chuck put it in the kitchen. Glen rubbed her back. He'd wanted her to confide in him since the night she attempted to steal his wallet. He'd be happy she finally asked for his help, but her fear—big enough to make her pass out— worried him.

"We're going to help you, Blue." He rubbed his mouth with his free hand, unwilling to stop touching her. "Tell us how."

Heidi looked over at the Notus members and whispered, "I only want you to help me."

"Okay." He turned his head and motioned his chin toward the door for his MC brothers to leave. "I've got this. I'll call you later."

The others left the house. Alone with Heidi, he turned to her, ready to take care of whatever trouble she was in.

"You're in danger," she blurted. "There's a man who will try to hurt you because you're helping me."

"Not going to worry about that now. Are you in danger?"

She nodded. "Yes, but it's more important that you help my parents. I can take care of myself."

"Your parents?" He cupped his jaw and braced his elbow on his knee to keep studying her face.

He couldn't follow her story. Everyone was in danger, and she had parents in the picture? Where were they when she was homeless? Who was she scared of and had her running away?"

"They live in St. John's. If I give you their address can you or one of the other club members park outside their house and make sure nobody gets to them?" She put her hand on his thigh. "I can't pay you what you guys usually get, but I'll give you my whole paycheck. I get paid once a week."

He could feel her shaking. "I don't want your money. I'll protect them, but first, tell me who is after you and your parents."

"His name is Evan." Her gaze darted around the room as if the man would suddenly appear. "He's my ex-boyfriend, and he's evil."

"Did he hurt you?" He braced, wanting to kill the man already for the fear he witnessed from Heidi.

"Many times." She closed her eyes a moment and reopened them. "I've never told anyone that before."

Over twenty years of dealing with missing women who escaped an abusive relationship never prepared him for the fury that hit him knowing someone he cared about had suffered.

"He was a thrower." She glanced at him. "He never hit me or pushed me. He threw things, and he'd hurt me where nobody else could see. Broken ribs, bruises on my legs and stomach that took two months to heal. He did this all while we lived with his dad. His father never had a clue what his son was doing to me. I couldn't tell him because first I was ashamed and his dad really loves him, but later Evan told me he'd kill his dad if I told. He threatened me all the time, telling me he'd kill my parents if I ran to them for help or called the police. Then, one night...he broke my ribs by throwing a chair at me. It was his birthday. I-I'd cooked him a meal, and his dad came home, and he'd b-bought a pistol for Evan. He held the gun up at me with his father in the same room and mouthed bang at me. I knew he would no longer be satisfied by throwing plates, chairs, books, or whatever was close to him now that he had a gun. He would kill me."

"Jesus Christ," he mumbled. "Tell me you left right then."

She nodded. "I packed my backpack, and while Evan was at the shooting range trying out his new present, I ran away. I couldn't let him kill my parents or his dad, and he would've if he found out they helped me, so I didn't tell anyone."

"How long ago was this?"

She leaned against him. "Over two years ago."

Her eyelids drooped, and her hands lay limp in her lap. Telling him the truth about her situation had exhausted her. He couldn't imagine a woman living on the streets for that long and survive.

"Blue, how did you...?"

She sat up. "I used shelters when I could get to Portland, but I wanted to stay in St. John's."

"Why?"

She shook her head. "I kept my eye on his dad. I knew if Stewart was okay, then his relationship with Evan hadn't changed. That Evan hadn't killed anyone because of me. I know it probably doesn't make sense to you. I know it wasn't smart, but it was the only thing I could think to do."

"You kept your friends close and your enemies closer," he said.

She nodded. "I found places to live across town, away from where he lived, and where my parents live. A few times, I found groups of women to crash with in abandoned houses or an apartment, or we watched out for each other under the overpass. There are ways to survive, and I learned the tricks."

He flinched. She reached out and touched him again. "I never sold myself."

"I wasn't asking."

"But, you were wondering." She sighed. "He found me, you know."

"Evan?"

"Yes." She leaned against him again. "The day you took me on your motorcycle, and I ran away. That man who was honking at you was him."

"Fuck." He stood, unable to sit still any longer. "I should've known."

"It's not your fault. You've done so much for me, and I've..." She wrapped her arms around her waist. "I took advantage of your generosity."

"What happened today? Why are you finally telling me?"

"I started hoping that my life could be like the one you were giving me by letting me stay here and I screwed up," she said, covering her forehead with her hand. "I made a mess of things at Pauly's. It was closing time, and I saw Evan outside looking in the window. He'd found me. I knocked over a bicycle and Pauly...God, I hated to lie to him. He wanted to help. I couldn't pull him into my life, too. I didn't want Evan to hurt him, and he would. Anyone who helps me is in danger. He's probably outside, waiting right now to get me or kill you."

"He's not going to get to you. Not when I'm here." He sat beside her and brought her over to his lap. "Nobody is going to touch you again. I promise."

"It's not me I'm worried about. My parents need protection until I know what I'm going to do."

His hold on her tightened. "You're not running."

"What else is there for me to do?" She sighed. "I know it's a lot to ask for you to believe me after I've lied to you, but Evan won't stop. Now that he's found where I work, it'll never end."

"He will if he's dead," he said.

"Glen." She smoothed the muscle jumping in his lip. "That's not funny. You can't do that."

"You can't stop me." He framed her face with his hands. "First, I need all the details. The guy's full name. His address. I'm going to call Wayne, and he can call the others. Then, we'll have Lieutenant Gomez come over and get your state—"

"No." She sat upright. "No police."

"Blue, I want this guy caught, or I'm going after him myself and put a bullet in his head."

She slid from his lap before he could stop her. The alcohol made her wobbly, but fear had made her determined. He was losing what headway he'd gained with her tonight by pushing. The shield she'd erected around herself for the last two years while she protected everyone she loved was coming back up, and he needed to break her down. It was the only way he could protect her.