Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

“Like you cared! I saw you licking your lips, getting ready for them! Where do you think they got the idea to take you? From you giving off all your whore signals!”


When I ran for her again, Tex grabbed me around the waist and held me back.

“You’re trash!” I screamed. “You’re a loser! It’s why Grandma hates you! You embarrass her!”

“You’re no better! You were always a fuckup! Whining about wanting this or that! Feeling sorry for yourself! What about me? I lost your dad because you played up the victim bullshit, but we both know you loved every moment with those dirty bikers! You were born to be a whore! Both you and Tawny! Why do you think you like that Johansson boy so much?”

Yanking free of Tex, I fixed my hair and held up my head. “I’m moving out. When Grandma asks why, I’ll tell her you stole my money. Let’s see whose side she takes.”

Knowing Amy was forever seeking her mother’s approval, I also knew how much it hurt to realize your parents would never really love you. Now, she could explain to my grandmother how she fucked up once again.

Walking to my bedroom, I shoved my clothes into the suitcase I brought with me only a month earlier. My hands were shaking so badly I kept dropping things, but I couldn’t stop moving. I needed to get out of the apartment and away from the bitch.

My mind was on reporting the theft when Amy stepped into the doorway. Glancing at her, I knew what she planned before she even moved. Instead of backing away, I met her halfway and landed a punch just as she did. We both staggered then I ran at her and shoved her against the wall.

“What?” I screamed in her face. “You can’t stop yourself from fucking up, can you? It’s in your blood to screw up everything you touch!”

“Fat bitch!”

Every time my mother pushed off the wall to attack me, I shoved her again. I wanted to tear her apart, but something held me back. What if I hurt her seriously and went to jail? What if she continued to ruin my life forever by giving me a record? I needed to follow the rules so I didn’t beat on her like she deserved.

Ready to break up our struggle, Tex appeared and I assumed he would take his bitch and leave. Instead, he punched me square in the face. Falling against the wall, I saw stars and my nose gushed blood. Once Tex nailed me, Amy hooted in triumph. Jumping around excitedly, she kicked me in the gut as I tried to stand.

Fuck the rules, I thought, lunging for her. Before we hit the ground, I started punching wildly. My moves were frantic, but I made the bitch bleed before Tex yanked me back by my hair and threw me against the dresser. Smashing into the mirror, I toppled onto the floor as he stood large over me. Tex wasn’t Cooper, but he had a solid six inches and maybe sixty pounds on me. Yet, I had a shard of broken mirror in my hand.

Waving it at him, I screamed as loudly as I could without blowing out my lungs. Tex actually covered his fucking ears like a sissy kid. Amy rolled onto her knees, finally getting to her feet. She threw the alarm clock at me, but her aim was off and it smashed into the wall.

Once my scream ended, I moved towards the door. “Someone’s called the cops by now. If you don’t move out of my way, the police will find your corpses when they get here.”

“I’m going to kill you, Farah,” Amy said with complete sincerity.

“No, bitch, you’re going to run and hope you’re faster than Cooper. Knowing your tendency to fuck up, you won’t get very far. Now, back off.”

The banging on the front door startled Tex who looked ready to grab the mirror shard. The bastard still thought he could fix things, but it was too late. My face was a mess and I had bled all over my clothes. There was no way Tex could sell this was an accident or misunderstanding.

“I’ve called the cops!” a booming voice said through the door as I passed by Tex and Amy. Grabbing my backpack, I opened the door to find a neighbor looking freaked out. “What the hell?” he said, likely worrying someone other than me had a weapon.

“Did you really call the cops?” I asked, slamming the door and hurrying towards the parking lot. “Shit, I don’t have my phone.”

Going back wasn’t an option then the guy said the only thing I wanted to hear. “I called Johansson. He’s on his way.”

Thanking him, I suggested he return to his apartment just in case Amy and Tex decided to do something stupid. Stumbling to the front of the complex, I found a spot to hide.

From the very first day, no matter how much Cooper scared me or pissed me off, I knew he was mine. Please let him come for me, I begged while waiting between two cars and cradling my face in my lap.

The sound of an approaching motorcycle electrified my whole body, but I didn’t look up. There were plenty of bikers around here. No need to get excited or disappointed. Just wait for Cooper and he’ll come. When the bike stopped a few feet from me, I ran to him because the world was ugly everywhere except in his arms. Cooper was my home.

“Fuck,” he growled, getting off his bike to look at my face.