Page 16 of Defended By Bam
“Why not?” I asked, stepping closer.
He pulled two glasses from the cabinet, opened the jar, and poured a finger in each one. Passing me one, he said, “Cheers.”
I clinked my glass to his, then took a whiff, wincing.
“Don’t smell it, just drink it,” he said.
“Right. Bottoms up.” I knocked the cold, clear liquid back and my eyes squeezed as I coughed a little.
“You alright?”
Coughing a few more times, I put the glass down. “Shit. Yeah. You weren’t kidding.” I could probably ignite a fireball with a flame near my mouth after that shot.
He grabbed the jar, closed the lid, and put it back in the freezer along with the bottle.
“You don’t have to quit on my account.”
“I didn’t want a drink.”
“Oh. Well, you didn’t have to have one just because I did.”
“A lady shouldn’t have to drink alone.” He handed me a bottle of water from the fridge. “What was that face for?”
“Huh?” I didn’t realize I’d made a face when he said a lady shouldn’t drink alone. “The lady thing. I dunno.”
All night long, he’d either stared intently at me, or I’d caught him watching me. He was trying to look now, but looked away when I caught him. “It’s really okay to look. I know it looks bad.”
He leaned against the counter and looked at me. “I’m not staring at the marks. I’m staring at you and trying to figure out how someone who thinks they’re a man could do that.”
Shrugging, I said, “If I figure that out, I’ll let you know.” I sipped the water, cooling my throat as my insides warmed from the shot.
“You don’t know me, but I can promise you that won’t happen to you here. Not at the clubhouse, either.”
“Is that where we were before? The clubhouse?”
“Yeah. It’s a little rowdy. But the guys are good.”
“Glenda was really nice.”
His brow pinched briefly and he cleared his throat. “Yeah, most of the girls are.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I think I’m gonna hit the hay. Why don’t you get some rest?”
Guess I struck a nerve with the mention of Glenda. “Yeah, it’s been a long day. I don’t know if I can sleep, though. Just a few more hours until he realizes I’m gone.” Would it be on the news? Would there be a manhunt? Did anyone see us? The heat from the moonshine spread through me faster and my heart sped up.
“Hey,” Bama said, stepping closer. “He won’t find you here. You can rest.”
The weight of his statement was heavy but freeing at the same time. He just meant I could sleep, but for a little while at least, I could rest knowing Marshall couldn’t hurt me.
Chapter 9
Bama
Hearing movement, I bolted upright on the couch with my pistol in hand.
After a squeal, a tiny voice whispered, “It’s Brooklyn. It’s just me.”
Lowering my gun, I reached for the lamp. “Sorry. Not used to guests.”
Brooklyn had on a tank and cotton shorts. Her hair was still pulled back, and with the tiny pajamas, all the marks that fucker left on her were visible. When my eyes stopped roaming her, they travelled up to her gaze that was fixed on me.
