Page 16 of As Thick As Thieves

“This was your father?” It took me a moment to realize she was speaking to me.

“Yes,” I squeaked out, trying to relax but failing. I never thought I’d meet Rory in person, so I was both fangirling and shitting my pants at the same time.

“Zavier bought you from him?” Disapproval lined her voice as she put my shirt back in place. “Was it a private sale or open?”

I didn’t understand the question, but Zavier took over. “Louis was hosting a sale in his house. I’ll explain the details of my presence later, but I was there to buy someone else when he dragged her out. Lavaro and I took both of them home, and the other woman is currently back with her family, while Penn is with me until we can organize something more permanent.”

“We’ll definitely be discussing this in further detail, considering you’ve got your foot in the door with the business we’re trying to tear down,” Rory replied bluntly. “I want her out of here the moment Red’s checked her over.” She walked off but paused as I called out to her.

“Wait!” She didn’t turn around so I continued. “I’m really sorry about breaking into your house. You’re like, my idol, I love what you and your family do. You’re the only people I know with money who use it for good. I honestly had no idea it was your house, I was just trying to prove to Stone that I could fit into the family he built because I had no one.”

No one spoke, and Rory didn’t respond before continuing towards the bar where Skeeter was currently glaring at me, and Beckett snorted. “You’re something else.”

My face heated as everyone stared at me, but a kind woman appeared in the doorway, giving me a smile. Her hair was as red as a fire truck, her voice soft. “Let’s take a look at you. Beckett, you two go wait by the bar.”

Nerves raced through me as I glanced back at Zavier, and he ruffled my hair with a grin. “You’re in good hands, promise.”

I didn’t get time to thank him before Beckett was scruffing his shirt and dragging him away. “You and I gotta talk, Lopez.” He went willingly so I tried not to worry about him, turning my attention back to Jade.

“Follow me,” she said sweetly, my eyes catching on someone in the office as she closed the door. I was pretty sure it was Caden, the guy who’d held a gun to my head when I’d broken into their house, and he didn’t seem pleased to see me either.

Once in a private room with a locked door, my entire body relaxed, and I let out a shaky breath, making Jade chuckle. “If you think that small lock will keep them out, you’re stupid.”

“Let me enjoy my false sense of security,” I joked lightly, amusement flashing across her face.

“They act tough, but they’re a sucker for damaged women, no offense. You’re pretty safe in here, especially if Rory allowed you to stay. Sit up here, and I’ll check you out so you can get out of here.” She patted a low table in the middle of the room before finding some gloves. I hauled myself up, hesitating, before pulling the shirt over my head and keeping it pressed to my chest. “Have you been putting anything on it?”

I flinched as her fingers touched my skin, and she mumbled an apology as she poked and prodded carefully.

“Zavier started applying antibiotic ointment when he brought me home the other night, so he’s been keeping it clean, but before that, I didn’t touch it. I hadn’t even seen it until I left Dad’s house. He wouldn’t let me shower, so it was kept pretty dirty while I was in the basement,” I admitted, keeping my eyes on the ground in front of me. “I don’t know where to go next. I can’t stay with Zavier forever.”

“I’ll give you some strong antibiotics. They’ll mess with any contraception so be careful,” she warned, making me snort.

“I keep my legs shut.”

“You’re not on anything?” she asked slowly, and I shrugged.

“Cruz was going to put the implant thingy in my arm, but we never got around to doing it. I’m not having sex anyway.”

She was quiet for a while as she cleaned and patched my back, not speaking again until she was in front of me, repeating the process with the wounds on my stomach.

“I don’t want to scare you or anything, but I think the implant is a good idea. In this world, women are pawns and weaknesses, so even though you’re no longer with your father, someone could try to cause you harm. We’ve seen a lot of girls and women abused and raped by the hands of men who think abuse is power, and many have ended up with unwanted children because of it.” She winced when my eyes went wide. “Sorry, that sounded awful. Hopefully, nothing happens, but I like to prepare for the worst. I’ve had past experiences, and so have some of my close friends. The reality is even though we have these crews behind us to keep us safe, no one is guaranteed to avoid trouble. Nothing says fuck you to someone you want to hurt by raping a woman they care about and knocking them up.”

“People do that?” I whispered as I stared at her, my stomach twisting in thought. “Use babies as revenge?”

“Yep. I keep myself protected as much as possible. Besides, all it takes is one drunken night of fun and boom, baby,” she chuckled. “It can’t hurt to be safe.”

“Where do I get contraception from? I don’t have money or—” I wasn’t going to let anyone use me in a sick game like that. Sure, they could cut it out of me if they really wanted to, but it was better than nothing.

Jade opened a cupboard and pulled out a small box, waving it at me. “I can do it right now if you like. We keep them stocked for a lot of the girls who work for us.”

“How much? I don’t—”

“It’s free. Women’s healthcare is fucking stupid, so we try to ease the strain of it. If you need other women’s products, I can help you. I doubt Zavier thought of those kinds of things,” she smiled, not waiting for my reply before pulling tampons and sanitary pads out. “I’ll give you my number so if you need more, you can just let me know.”

“I appreciate your kindness, but give those to people who need it. I’ll figure it out myself,” I said, hating the thought of taking things that others might need.

“You need it.” She tossed in a box of antibiotics and smiled. “Would you like the implant inserted now?”

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