Page 36 of Property of BamBam
BamBam starts chuckling and leans over to kiss my forehead. “That’s my girl, a total badass for sure. I knew I made a good decision when I said you were mine.”
Emotionally, I’m all over the place. My greatest shame, the utter degradation from a man who had told me he loved me but still allowed his friends to sexually assault me, was just painted in a totally different light. “He didn’t win, did he,” I state, not asking a question because it’s finally dawning on me what Beth said two weeks ago when I told her. “Because once you rescued me and Theo, I made sure to have Doc run every single test possible to make sure they didn’t give me anything.”
“No, he didn’t,” BamBam agrees. “So fucking proud of you, Livy. I know what they did has probably fucked with your head, but like I told you, it’ll never change how I’ve come to feel about you. Everyone has a past of one sort or another, and I’m not the type of man who would hold what was done to you against you.”
I sense the sincerity in his words, especially when he adds a squeeze to my hands he’s still holding. A different sensation courses through me, one I’ve never experienced before. Jasper was a means to an end, but in BamBam, I can see a beautiful future.
Beth smiles at me and says, “This was a hurdle you were scared to face, Livy. I’m proud of the fact that you did it in spite of your reservations.”
“The only thing that worries me is whether or not that’ll change how I view physical intimacy.”
And… cue the damn blush once again! I can tell from how hot my face and neck are that I’m probably blood red.
“When we get to that point in our relationship, we’ll deal,” BamBam says. “Because what you had before was a boy child and that’snothow a real man treats someone he cares about, Livy.”
“I just wish I hadn’t had to leave some of my other things behind,” I murmur.
“We might be morally gray, Livy, but I can promise you one thing right now. We’ll get your belongings back for you as soon as we can,” he says.
“Y’all do a lot for the community, BamBam,” I reply.
“Sometimes, good men do bad things for the greater good,” Beth adds.
“Yeah, what she said,” I retort. “I don’t care if y’all do bad things. I think it’s to protect those y’all love. What’s so bad about that?”
“Well, our club motto is that nobody fucks with us, so you’re right, there’s nothing bad about it. I’ll never tell you club business, of course, but you should know now that I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you’re safe. Oh, and I won’t lose a bit of sleep if I have to handle something accordingly.”
Beth laughs and says, “Well, it kind of sounds like you’ve got your own badass at your back, Livy.”
“Gonna teach Theo how to be one too,” BamBam promises. “Between me and all of his uncles in the club, he’ll be ready to protect his mama.”
“I’m not sure what to say to that,” I admit.
“Nothing for you to say. He might not be my blood, but he’s mine just the same, and I’ll be by your side raising him and any other children you wanna have,” BamBam says. “You just need to get with the program.”
“Aye, aye,Barnabas,” I tease.
“Alright,Olivia,”he retorts.
“And… with that, I think today’s session is done,” Beth states, standing to her feet. “I’m going to head out. Livy, today was emotional for you, so don’t be surprised if your sleep is unsettled tonight.”
“Thanks, Beth. I’ll journal tonight. That seems to help on those days when you ask the tough questions.”
“I told you it would,” she replies, winking at me.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE
BamBam
The only thing that kept my emotions in check while Livy told me what those fuckers did to her was my experience as an enforcer. Think methodically. Strike strategically. I know she’s probably worried about how I’ll take the fact that she had multiple partners in a very short amount of time, but outside of the fact that she was raped, if she had been living a normal life and out dating, there’s a possibility that she could’ve willingly slept with even more men. And who am I to judge? I haven’t been a saint.
I wasn’t lying when I told her that when we get to that point in our relationship, she’ll see the difference. I suspect, however, that she’s grown used to words not equaling actions, so instead of beating a dead horse, I plan to show her instead.
“What do you say we take Theo down to the ice cream parlor?” I ask as she straightens the room once Beth leaves.
“He’s a little young for ice cream, I think,” she says, frowning, “but I think they’ve got something just for babies. With him teething, it might feel good on his gums.”
