Chapter 7
I set my alarm for five thirty a.m. Today was the day I was starting my daily run. I went into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face as I examined my swollen eyes from last night. I changed into some yoga pants, threw on a t-shirt, and went downstairs. Charles was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. It smelled like blueberry muffins again.
“Good morning, Charles.” I smiled as I opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.
“Good morning, Rory. Blueberry muffins will be coming out of the oven soon. Would you like one?”
“No, thank you. I’m heading out for a run. Have you by any chance seen Ian yet this morning?”
“He’s out for a run himself.” Charles smiled.
Damn it. I thought I could be up and out before he was. “Thanks, Charles. By the way, please don’t mention that you saw me this morning.”
“I won’t, Miss Rory. Have a nice run.”
“Oh, and one more question. Which way does he usually go when he runs?”
“If you’re trying to avoid him, I’d go left.” He winked.
A smile fell across my face as I opened the door and turned left. I took it easy at first. Since it was my first time attempting any sort of exercise after the incident, I didn’t want to push myself, so I started to jog slowly. The sun was just starting to rise as I jogged along the shoreline. I took in deep breaths of fresh ocean air as a slight wind swept across my face. This was perfect. I was relaxed and, for the first time in so long, I felt peace. I picked up the pace, just a little, as I was doing okay. Today was the day; my day of renewed strength and a new life. The first thing I needed to do was move out of Ian’s house. As much as I had wanted him last night, I knew that it would’ve been a mistake. A man like Ian Braxton and a woman like me would never work. We were on opposite sides of the spectrum. We were from different worlds and nothing would ever change that. I needed to get back to the motel that Stephen and I had stayed at. I had left something behind and I had a feeling it would still be there. I ran about three miles before the cramping in my side started. I stopped and faced the ocean as I grabbed my side and bent over, trying to ease the pain.
“You overdid it,” Ian’s voice said.
I stood up straight and put my hands on my hips. “Nah, I’m good. Three miles isn’t bad for a stab victim.”
“Three miles is too much for the first time. I would’ve gone with you had I known what time you were going.”
I stood still, staring out into the depths of the ocean. I didn’t want to turn around because I couldn’t face him after last night. I could still feel his moist lips on mine, and I wanted more. Before I knew it, I felt his hands clasp my shoulders from behind.
“Are you ready to head back?” he spoke softly.
The flip in my belly, causing the familiar ache down below, was back. His simple touch was enough to excite me. I needed to stay strong. Today was the day; my day to never let anyone control me again.
“I’m ready,” I said as I walked away without even so much as a glance at him.
“Are you mad at me or something?” he asked as he caught up with me.
“No. Why would you ask that?”
“I’m not stupid, Rory. I can tell something is wrong with you. You won’t even look at me.”
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to him. “There, I’m looking at you. See? Nothing’s wrong.”
“Don’t be bitchy. I don’t like bitchy women.”
“Really? I’ll have to remember to be extra bitchy then.”
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Ian said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Why the attitude? Is it because I wouldn’t f*ck you last night? Is that what this whole bitchy attitude is about? I told you that I won’t risk hurting you and I thought you would appreciate that.”
Strong. Stay strong. “I do appreciate it, Ian. I’m sorry.” I smiled softly.
He tilted his head as he brought his hand up to my face. He took his finger and softly traced the outline of my lips. “I don’t regret kissing you last night and I won’t regret kissing you now,” he said as he brushed his lips on mine. His kiss was soft and light. He looked at me and smiled. “I think Charles made some blueberry muffins. Let’s go have one.”
As soon as we got back to the house and walked through the patio doors, Ian stopped, looking at a man sitting down at the table.
“Dad, I didn’t know you were back from your trip.”
“Hello, son,” he said as he glared at me.
“Rory, this is my father, Richard. Dad, this is Rory Sinclair.”
“Nice to meet you.” I smiled as I held out my hand.
Richard just looked at me with cold hard eyes as he dismissed the fact that I had my hand out to greet him.
“Okay then,” I said as I put my hand down and walked over to pour a cup of coffee.
“Tomorrow night is the annual company gala. Have you decided who you’re bringing as your date?”
My stomach instantly felt sick when I heard Richard ask that. “No, Dad. I haven’t decided yet.”
“I think you need to bring that hot blonde. You know; the one with the huge tits? She’s good arm candy for you, son, and there’s going to be a lot of press there, so if you haven’t already, give her a call and ask her.”
Ian looked away from his father and over at me. I wanted to run out of there so badly, but I didn’t want to make it obvious that this conversation was hurting me.
“So, Rory. What kind of name is that?” Richard asked.
“Dad! That’s enough,” Ian snapped.
“It’s okay, Ian,” I said. I walked over to the table and sat down across from Richard. “It’s a nickname. My real name is Aurora.”
“Well, that’s not any better,” he chuckled.
Wow, Jordyn was right. This man was a complete a*shole.
“Ian, I need to speak with you. Let’s go into the study.”
Ian looked over at me, but didn’t say a word. He walked out of the kitchen and followed his father to his study. After a few moments, I quietly made my way to the study and listened outside the door at their conversation.
“Who the f*ck is that girl and why is she here?” Richard snapped.
“That girl is my houseguest because she was badly injured and she needed medical attention.”
“Is she better now?”
“She’s better.”
“Then get rid of her. You don’t need some lowlife hanging around your house and your money. And you better not even think about bringing that girl tomorrow night.”
“I’m not bringing her, so don’t worry,” Ian said.
My heart broke at that moment. Not because Ian wouldn’t ask me to go with him to the gala, but because he didn’t defend me. I needed to get out of here and away from Ian as quickly as possible. I ran up the stairs to my room and took a quick shower. When I was finished, I sent a text message to Adalynn, asking her if there was any possible way she could drive me to the motel. I didn’t have any money for a cab and there was no way I was asking Joshua. She sent me a text message back, saying that she’d be here within the hour. I quickly got dressed and then headed downstairs.
Ian was walking up the stairs as I was walking down. “Hey. You look great.” He smiled.
“Did your father leave?” I asked.
“Yeah, he just left.”
I pushed Ian out of the way as I continued down the stairs. “Rory, I’m sorry for the things he said to you. He can be an ass sometimes.”
“He’s more than an ass and don’t apologize for him. I’m used to it, anyway.”
“Rory, wait,” he said.
I walked out the front door and sat on a bench that was near a pond in the front of the house. A few moments later, Ian came outside, carrying his briefcase. He walked over to where I was sitting and stood over me.
“I’m leaving for the office now. Maybe tonight, we can have dinner here. I’ll have Charles cook us something nice.”
“That sounds nice, but I think maybe the hot blonde with the huge tits would enjoy it more. You’re calling her anyway; ask her over for dinner and then you can take her upstairs and f*ck her. Oh, wait, that would be tomorrow night after the gala. I believe you don’t f*ck the same girl two nights in a row.”
“Rory,” he said as he slowly shook his head.
“Don’t you have an office you need to get to?”
He turned away and climbed into the back of the limo that was waiting for him in the driveway.
****
“Seriously, Rory, this neighborhood is not one I like to travel to,” Adalynn said nervously.
“I know. But it’s all I could afford.”
Adalynn pulled into a parking space at the motel and leaned over the steering wheel, looking out the window. “Do we have to get out?”
“Yes, Adalynn, we need to get out. I have to talk to the clerk in the office. I will warn you, it sme1lls pretty bad in there.”
“Gee, thanks for the warning. I never would’ve guessed.” She smirked.
We walked into the motel office and it reeked of cigars. The man sitting behind the counter was overly large and bald and he had a limp when he walked.
“What can I do for you beautiful ladies?” He grinned.
I explained to him that I had left something in the room that my brother and I had stayed in a couple of weeks ago. He glared at me as he bit down on his cigar.
“Sorry, no can do, pretty girl. If you want to get back into that room, you’ll have to pay for it.”
“Are you kidding me? I only need to retrieve something that I left behind. I won’t be more than five minutes.”
“You’re talking two weeks ago, pretty girl. Those rooms have been cleaned and cleaned again. If you would’ve left something behind, we would’ve found it.”
I sighed and put my elbows on the counter. “Listen, you mother—”
“We’ll pay for the room. How much?” Adalynn interrupted.
“Adalynn, no. He’s ripping us off.”
“Now you’re a smart cookie,” the man said as he winked at Adalynn. “It’s fifty bucks for the night.”
I shot him a look, as I knew he was overcharging us. “I only paid forty dollars. You raised your price within the last two weeks?”
“Inflation, sugar. Gotta keep up with that damn inflation.” He smiled. “Now which room was it?”
“Room 205,” I said.
The man stared at me when I gave him the room number. “That’s the room that had blood all over the floor. It stained my carpet.”
“I’m sorry. I cut my foot and I had to go to the hospital.”
“That boy that was with you. He up and left without checking out and he left the blood all over the place. I’m sorry, but if you want back into the room, I have to charge you extra for the mess you left.”
I started to speak and Adalynn interrupted me. “Here’s two hundred dollars. Give us the f*cking keys so my friend can get what she left and we can get out of this shithole.”
“Like I said, smart cookie.” He smiled as he handed us the key to the room.
Adalynn and I went to Room 205. She inserted the key and opened the door. “Jesus, Rory. How the f*ck could you stay here?”
“I didn’t have a choice. It was all I could afford,” I said as I walked over to the bed. I pulled it away from the wall and stuck my hand behind the headboard. I felt around until my hand touched the tape that I had put there when Stephen and I had first arrived. I ripped off the tape and pulled out an envelope filled with cash. I looked at Adalynn and smiled.
“I can’t believe that’s still here,” she said with wide eyes.
“Do you think in a place like this they actually pull out the bed and clean behind it?”
“Good point.” She laughed.
“I taped it here when Stephen was in the bathroom. I didn’t want him to know that I had it because he would’ve stole it. I didn’t have time to grab it after he stabbed me.”
Adalynn looked at me with sympathetic eyes. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Didn’t you have a suitcase or anything?”
“Yeah, but I’m sure Stephen took that when he left. I have to find him, Adalynn. He’s dangerous and he needs help,” I said as I looked down at the bloodstained carpet.
“Ian can help you find him. He has resources and connections.”
“I don’t want Ian’s help, ever. He’s helped me enough, and it’s time to move on,” I said as I opened the door and walked outside.
We gave the key back to the overly large man and got out of there as fast as we could. I reached into the envelope and pulled out some money.
“Here, I want to pay you back for the motel,” I said.
“Rory, no. You’re going to need all of that money for whatever it is you’re planning. Just forget about it and do what you have to do.”
I sighed because I knew if I argued with her, she’d end up winning anyway. So I thanked her and changed the subject.
“I met Ian’s father this morning.”
“Oh, he’s back from his trip? How’d it go?”
“He was repulsed by me and my name and, the sad part was, Ian didn’t even defend me.”
“Ian can be an ass and, as for Richard, pay him no attention. The man has issues and wouldn’t know a proper woman if one stepped on his face. Now, where do you want me to drop you off? Something tells me that you don’t want to go back to Ian’s house.”
“Can you just drop me off at Java Hut?”
Adalynn pulled up to the curb and before I got out of the car, she grabbed my hand. “I’m having a birthday party Saturday night and I want you to come. It’ll be your first Malibu party.”
“Thanks for the invite, Adalynn, but I wouldn’t fit in.”
“You will fit in, Rory. I want to celebrate my birthday with my new friend. Please come.”
There was a hint of desperation in her voice when she asked me. She had done so much for me and it wouldn’t be right if I turned her down. “Of course I’ll come. I wouldn’t miss your birthday.” I smiled.
“Great! You can come with Ian, or if you’d prefer not to, I’ll text you my address.”
“Text me your address and thank you again for taking me to retrieve this,” I said as I held up the envelope.
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you Saturday.”
I shut the door and Adalynn drove away. I walked into Java Hut and asked Ollie for a chai tea latte.
“Hey, Grayson, this is Rory. Rory, this is Grayson. Today’s his first day back from vacation.”
“Hi, Grayson.” I smiled as I held out my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Rory. I look forward to working with you.”
Ollie handed me my tea and I went and sat down at the table. Jordyn came out from the back room and as soon as she saw me, she sat down across from me.
“What are you doing here on your day off?”
“I was out and about and needed some chai.” I smiled as I held up my cup. “Do you have a newspaper or something? I want to look for an apartment.”
“I have my iPad. You can use that,” she said as she got up from her chair.
She set her iPad down in front of me and pulled up the listings of apartments for rent in the area. I looked at the prices and shook my head. “I can’t afford any of these apartments.”
“I may have something for you,” Jordyn said. “Let me call my dad.”
She stepped away from the table as I sat there and contemplated on what to do. There was no way I could continue to live here. A few moments later, Jordyn sat back down and smiled.
“I may have just the place you’re looking for. It’s not much and it needs to be cleaned up, but I think you could do wonders with it and it’s super cheap.”
“Seriously?” I asked excitedly.
“Follow me,” she said as she led me out the door and over to the next building. On the side of the building were a set of black, wrought-iron stairs that led to a door up above. The store below was a bakery and you could smell their bread from the street. Jordyn inserted the key into the lock and opened the door. She flipped the light switch as we walked inside.
“It’s not much, but I think with some help, you can make this place a nice home.”
“Jordyn, I don’t understand,” I said as I looked around.
“My dad owns this building and Java Hut. He didn’t want the hassle of renting this place out, so he never did anything with it. I explained to him your situation and he said you’re more than welcome to fix the place up and he’ll only charge you $100 a month, water included. So, all you’ll have to pay is gas and lights and, in this little place, that won’t be much.”
I didn’t know what to say. I was stunned at the generosity of Jordyn and her father. I looked around. To the left side was the small kitchen area with a stove, sink, refrigerator, and a small counter top. A few feet down was a closed door, which I had guessed to be the bathroom. I opened the door and just about died when I saw the filthiness of it.
“Okay, so that needs some cleaning up,” Jordyn said as she pinched her nose closed.
The bathroom had a toilet, sink, and a bathtub. No more than one person could be in there at one time. I walked over to a large window and pushed back the curtains. The sunlight that filtered in was amazing. It really brightened the whole place up.
“I’ll take it.” I smiled.
“Great. I’ll let my dad know, and Ollie and I will help you fix it up! I love to decorate.” She smiled as she hooked her arm around me.
I smiled back at my new friend, but worry started to consume my mind about Ian’s reaction when I tell him I’d be leaving. I couldn’t stop thinking about last night and what he said to me. He wanted me and, when he touched me, I wanted him too. But if I let him have his way with me, I would be the one who would be destroyed, not him.
“Earth to Rory,” Jordyn said as she waved her hand in front of my face. “Where were you?” She laughed.
“Sorry. I was just picturing this place all done.”
“I’ll bring some cleaning supplies with me tomorrow and, after our shift, we can come up here and start cleaning. I’ll get Ollie and a couple of his friends to help.”
“Thank you, Jordyn. I’m so grateful for your help.”
“That’s what friends and co-workers are for.” She smiled.