Page 32 of Boss

He didn’t answer. She sighed. She removed his boots and then helped him from his shirt. She could see the darkening bruises on his chest and when he leaned forward she discovered they were on his back as well.

“What the hell? Did he run over you?”

Tarek chuckled.

“You think this is funny.”

“I need a shower and rest. Everything is fine.”

“I don’t understand any of this. You bring me here? You tell that man I’m some corporate traitor to you, and then you go off with him and let him beat you half to death. What are you trying to do Tarek? What is really going on?”

He looked at her. “I need you.”

“What?”

“I need you to help me. To the bathroom. To shower and then to lay down so I can get my strength. That’s what I need. Can you do that for me?”

She wanted answers. She needed them. But she also wanted his trust. He was fighting something bigger than what she and Daniel suspected. She was more than intrigued. She was invested.

Kassidy pulled Tarek up to his feet. She undid his snow pants and yanked them down with his underwear. He was naked and leaning on her for support. She was careful with him as she walked him to the bathroom. It was much too small for two people to shower. She helped him the best way she could and turned on the water. She left him there rinsing the blood from his body down the drain. She picked up his blood soaked shirt and considered throwing it away. But she wasn’t sure who’s blood and DNA was on it. She’d wash it by hand and let it air dry. She put his things by the bathroom door and his wallet dropped out.

Kassidy picked it up. She walked over to the bed and sat down. She sat there for several minutes staring at the wallet and thinking of everything that transpired. For no particular reason she flipped it open. She looked at his driver license. There was a line of credit cards. And she noticed something else. The edge of something tucked between the cards. Kassidy pulled on it and out slipped an image. She was not prepared to see Clarissa. The moment she saw her and all of the memories rushed to the surface.

August 2000

Crystal Beach, Texas

Kassidy loved swimming, kite flying and volleyball. Crystal Beach in the summer was where she could do both. Once a year her mother and father vacationed in the quaint seashore town. And once a year she got to spend time with her best friend. An older girl named Clarissa whose family owned a bed and breakfast, called Maria's Cavern.

Clarissa wasn’t like Kassidy’s sisters.Clarissa liked her, and didn’t treat her like a baby. She played games with her, and taught her all about the ocean, the planets, and the animals we should love and protect, In particular the sea turtles. Under the light of the moon the turtles would emerge from the sea and dig holes to drop their eggs in the sand. It would be a dream come true to actually see it. Clarissa had promised one day they would.

Tonight Clarissa couldn’t take her down to the beach to look for the turtles. Clarissa had a boyfriend who had returned to town. He rode a motorcycle and a dark helmet even at night.

His name was Tarek.

With her chin resting in her hand, Kassidy lay on her tummy in Clarissa’s bed kicking her little feet as she watched Clarissa groom and put on makeup.

“Where will you be?” Kassidy asked.

Clarissa ran the brush through her long raven hair. She turned from the mirror and smiled. “Do you mean where am I going?”

“Yes. Where are you going?”

“For a ride with Tarek,” Clarissa winked. “Pass me my purse princess.”

She wore a peach and white summer dress that was strapless. She covered her slender shoulders under a thin short sleeve sweater. Kassidy scooted off the bed. She dropped to the floor and picked up the black and white purse. She brought it over to Clarissa.

“Can I come? Please? Can I?” Kassidy asked.

Clarissa laughed.

“I'll be good, I promise,” Kassidy said.

“Maybe next time. I'll ask Tarek if he wants to go for a walk on the beach with us.”

There was a knock at the door. Clarissa’s mother peeked in. “Your friend is here. He’s waiting outside.”

“Thanks Mama!” Clarissa puckered her lips and checked her makeup one last time in the mirror. To get a good look at herself. Kassidy mimicked her turning and putting her hand to her hip. Clarissa laughed.

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