Page 14 of Saving You Losing Me

A lone tear escapes that she brushes quickly away and my heart aches for her. She doesn’t know, but I’ve watched my father take the staircase to her room late at night. I’ve seen the pain in her eyes destroying a beautiful woman from the secrets she’s bearing. I notice the bruises on her wrists and the marks on her neck and I’m well aware of the abuse she suffers at the hands of my father when the rest of the house sleeps.

It’s the unspoken secret that I hate knowing. I want to help but hold no power to change a thing.

“Why do you stay here, Vikki?”

She appears startled and I say carefully. “My father hurts you, doesn’t he?”

The shock on her face is mixed with guilt and she whispers fiercely, “No. You have seen nothing, Clara. Nothing I tell you. If you tell anyone, I’ll deny it. Please, keep my secret and I’ll keep yours.”

“It’s not a trade off, Vikki. I just want what’s right for you.”

“I’ll figure it out. I’m, well–” She slumps in her seat. “Once you’re at college, there is no reason to stay. I have been saving and when you leave, so will I.”

“Where will you go?” I am bursting with admiration for this woman and she places her finger on her lips. “I will tell you when I get there. I have a plan.”

She sighs. “Some secrets are best kept and I will keep yours. We’re in this together; we always were.”

She stands and smiles weakly. “Make sure you eat, ma’am. If you require any further assistance, call me.”

I say nothing and watch her as she leaves, wondering how she can be so strong. She has nothing to her name and yet more dignity than anyone I’ve ever met. She also has me and whatever Vikki needs, I will move heaven and earth to get it for her.

CHAPTER 8

ATOM

The guys are in the mood to celebrate, and so am I as it happens.

We take our custom to Easy Joes and as we crowd around the bar, Alice serves us our drinks. There is a curiosity she has directed at me, and I have no doubt why. Clara.

Knowing I’m meeting her tonight gives me an energy I lacked before and when I leave the restroom, Alice is waiting.

“Clara isn’t like us, Atom.”

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

I lean against the wall and wait for her to speak.

“Her parents will put a stop to it the moment they find out. You already know that, so I’m curious why you’re bothering.”

“She’s my girl.” I shrug as her shoulders sag.

“Is she, Atom? Are you deluded enough to believe that?”

“I know it.”

I shrug away from the wall and as I make to pass, I lean down and whisper, “Sometimes in life you must take chances. To reach for the stars and own them. Who says I can’t have a woman like Clara in my life? We are in the land of opportunity, and anything is possible. Even that.”

“Then you must prepare to fight a war and you may lose—scrub that—you will lose. Is she worth the fight?”

“She’s my girl and I will fight for her until there is no fight left in me.”

“She’s a lucky lady, Atom.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

I walk away with a smile on my face. Right now, at this moment, I am invincible. Foolishly invincible, some might say, but I know better. Atom and Clara were written in the stars and there is nothing I won’t do to keep my woman now I have finally got her.

We spendthe evening in Easy Joes and then head home. Luckily for us, we all live within walking distance, but I made certain not to drink because I’m meeting Clara tonight. The guys took no notice. They were too drunk to care because tonight we are celebrating our new clubhouse that will be The Dark Angel’s home as soon as the paperwork is done.

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