“Easy now, babe. She ain’t worth it. She was a useless shag when I was with her, just laid there like a sad sack, all chunky and boring.”
I freeze. What the fuck did he just say about Isabelle? And how does he know her?
“Oh, I’m Matt, by the way.” He sneers, a knowing smile crossing his fucking disgusting face.
My blood runs cold.
This is the ex that raped her repeatedly. Rage rips through my body, and I see red.
Before I know it, my fist hits his jaw, his head snapping to the side, and Laura screams at me to stop. But her voice becomes muffled and goes quiet as the pounding in my
Alexandra Ravensbrook
head thrums through me, and I land a second punch, this time below his ribs, winding him as he falls to the floor.
“No one talks about my woman like that, you fucking worthless shit. If anyone’s the sex offender here, it’s you, you shitbag. She told me everything,” I spit at him, my own voice a deep growl. My head begins to clear a little as Laura’s cries start to filter back into my consciousness. A strong hand pulls at my arm, hauling me back.
“Mate, what the hell? Calm it down! You’ll get yourself arrested!” Confusion courses through me at the familiar voice. I turn to see Phil, my captain from my rugby team, gripping me and pulling me back.
“Phil… He…” My voice cracks. I want to kill Matt for everything he’s done to Iz.
“Yeah, I heard what you said. Just walk away.”
I stumble back as he continues to pull me, my whole body starting to shake with anger. A car door opens, and I’m shoved back into the passenger seat of Phil’s SUV, his huge frame blocking me from leaving.
“Right, first things first. I’ve heard what’s happening at school. You should’ve talked to us. You need your mates around you. Secondly, beating the shit out of some lowlife won’t help you; it’ll only cause more problems.”
“Phil, he raped her. I want to kill him!”
Yes, Miss
“Laura?”
“No, Isabelle…” My voice catches with emotion, feeling utterly helpless, as my body sinks into the seat. I need to fucking hurt that bastard, and now I can’t even do that. “If I fucking see him again, I will kill him.”
“No, you won’t, you asshole. I don’t know Isabelle, but if she’s anything like my missus, she’ll be pissed that you did this already. She doesn’t need you fighting her battles for her. With what you say has happened, she’s fought tougher battles already.” His voice softens as he crouches to look me in the eyes. “I have a daughter. I have a wife. And if some scrote like that even fucking touched them, I’d want to kill them, so I get it. But you’re no use to her in a cell.”
I sit back, resting my head on the headrest, and close my eyes. Phil’s right, he always bloody is. I’ve been avoiding them for the last few practices because I didn’t know what they’d say about the allegations.
“I’m getting you home. You want me to call anyone? Or will you be alright?”
“Nah, I’m fine, Phil. Isabelle will have left for work already. I’ll just stay home for the day and cook, ice my hand…” I let out a little huff of a laugh. “Thanks, Phil.”
“Well, shit, she’s moved in already then?” he teases. “Mister ‘I’m Gonna Be Alone Forever’ already has someone shacked up with him? She must be special!” We pull away
Alexandra Ravensbrook
from the kerb, Laura still crouched next to a bloodied Matt, as I start to tell Phil all about Isabelle.
Yes, Miss
Chapter 43
Isabelle
I roll over, my arm naturally reaching for James’ solid chest, craving the warmth of his skin against mine, but instead, I find cool cotton sheets.
And no James.
