Chapter 2

Lileth guided me to what looked like a downstairs bedroom, complete with ensuite. As i tried to remove my t-shirt, i winced in pain. Lileth noticed and came over to help me.

“What on earth happened to you? Who could do such a thing?” her eyes filled with tears. She helped me put on a robe so that I didn’t cause myself anymore pain but it was easier said than done. My jeans were stuck to my legs so Lileth helped me to remove them. She looked at me with concern in her eyes and I nodded answering her silent question.

“Sit down on the bed, dear. Let me help you out of these,” I did as she asked. Every movement I made caused me to wince in pain. “Now, the bathroom is straight through that door should you need it.”

‘KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.’ She turned to answer the door.

“Lileth.”

“Doc Richards. Please do come in,” the doctor looked scarily buff. He looked more like a butcher than a doctor. Panic started to creep in. “It’s OK, dear. I am here with you. The doc just needs to assess your injuries.” Honestly, the man scared me but, it was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone with him.

For the size of the guy, he was extremely gentle. I could see his eyes darken as he examined my face.

“No broken facial bones but you have a lot of bruising. Are you able to tell me what happened? I understand that you are in a lot of pain right now so just give me a few key words and I will fill in the blanks.”

“Engage, off. Hit, no wash up.”

“Your now ex fiance hit you because you didn't wash up?” I nodded and looked to the floor. “Is there more? Would you prefer to write it down?” I nodded to both questions.

“Maddie, can you grab a notepad and a pen from the desk in the hallway please,” doc instructed. She was back within seconds and handed me the book and pen before going to stand back in the corner until she was needed again. I started to write somethings on the book before handing it to the doc to read.

“Got fired because of him. He’s very insecure, jealous. Told me I don’t need a job, he would provide for me. Locked me in the apartment, no interaction with the outside world. Verbally abusive since losing my job, physically over the last 3 or 4 months over small things like not cooking the type of meal he was expecting when he got home or forgetting to wash a cup.” Tears were falling again as doc read it out loud and Lileth tried to comfort me.

“I want a name and an address,” a deep mysterious voice said from the doorway. “I don’t mind either way, princess. If you don’t give me what I asked for, I have other ways to gather Intel,” just his voice alone was enough to get me to do his bidding. Combine that with a body that would put Adonis to shame, then I would be whatever he wanted me to be. I reached out for the notebook from the doc and gave this beautiful specimen of a man what he asked for.

“Ellie-May!” he bellowed. In walked in a blonde supermodel. Olive skin, chocolate brown eyes and a figure that every man dreams of on a woman. Curves in all the right places and definitely more than a handful. I gulped and used the back of my hand to dab away any drool from my mouth.

“Yes, Gio?”

“You have a new quest.”

“Can I ask what happened?” Gio held out his hand for the note book,ripped off he page with the details he asked for and passed Ellie the book to read what I wrote.

“Son of a bitch. What a jerk. How could he do this to a woman? I’m on it,” she said as she walked out of the room, leaving the doc and Lileth giggling.

“He has no idea what’s coming for him,” Lileth said with humor dancing in her eyes.

“Let’s get back to your injuries,” doc said. “possible broken ribs but will need an x-ray to be sure, bruising, lots of it, split lip and eyebrows, dislocated nose, which I can fix now if you would like?”

“Please,” I whimper. ‘POP!’ I squeaked as he fixed my nose without missing a beat, like he had done it so many times before.

“You will need plenty of bed rest to be able to heal fully,” he ordered.

“You will stay here,” Gio demanded. Before I could contest, he had already left the room. I couldn’t figure out where I had seen Gio before but I wasn’t going to let the opportunity for a safe place to stay slip away. I will stay until I at least heal and so I could figure out my next move when I am well enough to leave.

“There is some nightwear and underwear in the cupboard over there. This is your room for now. Is there anything you need? Any family you need to contact?”

“No family. Could I have a drink please?”

“Of course, dear. I will be right back. Doc, can I have a word please?” Lileth asked as she walked out of the room. Moments later, she was back with a glass of milk, a glass of water and some pain relief. I slowly slid off the bed to make my way to the bathroom to take care of business and to towel dry my soaking wet hair so that I didn’t catch a cold on top of my injuries. The pain I was experiencing was the worst I have ever felt in my life but, I had no choice but to will my body to respond to what I needed it to do. Each step brought tears and gasping breaths but I finally made it.

“Hello, are you alright in there? Do you need any help?” I’m pretty sure Lileth heard my sobs because the next moment she had opened the door and walked in. “Here, let me help you dry your hair,” she took the towel out of my hands and gently dried my hair as I sat and cried. “There, let’s get you cleaned up and into bed,” she guided me back to the bedroom after getting me dressed. Everything about her made me miss my mother. I would’ve ran home to her, if she was still alive but, thanks to the driver of the truck who was 6 times over the drink drive limit, my parents are no longer here. Not a day goes by where I don’t miss them. I winced as Lileth helped me onto the bed and pulled up the covers before passing me the medication and the glass of water.

“There, now try to get some rest. We will all talk in the morning.”

“Thank you,” I groaned out, already drifting off to sleep.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” she replied as she turned off the light and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.