“I had an idea last week when Cassie told me about the funding cuts,” I admit sheepishly. “I think I know how to help.”
He tilts his head forward and looks at me from under his raised brows. “You guys know it’s not your burden to deal with the costs of this place. I appreciate every little thing you all do, especially our volunteers, and would never expect you to take on that kind of responsibility.”
“Of course I know that,” I say with a small smile. Even though Samshouldshare the burden with everyone here who’s willing to help. He does too much, takes too much upon his own shoulders. “But I want to help, and I know how I can.”
Sam lets out a resigned sigh, but he props his forearms down on his desk and leans in toward me. “I’m all ears.”
“We need to start fundraising. This place can’t survive on government funding alone.”
Sam leans back in his chair, thrumming his fingertips on the arms of his chair. “It’s something that’s definitely crossed my mind. But I wouldn’t know where to start, and I don’t have the money to hire someone to help with that sort of thing.”
I smile wider, taking a big breath to settle my nerves. “I can do this for you. For Hope House. Let me organise a fundraiser, see how it goes, then we can look at some options for ongoing support for this place.”
Sam cocks his head to the side, his warm eyes softening further.
“Gianna, I don’t have the funds to pay you for this kind of work. And that’s what it is. Work.”
I sit forward in my seat and place my palms on top of Sam’s desk, staring him straight in the eyes so he can see the resolution in mine.
“No, Sam. I don’t want to be paid. Think of it as work experience for me. I would only dedicate the time I’m here at Hope House to work on it, if that makes you feel better. But Hope House needs funds desperately, and I know I can help.”
Sam rubs a hand absently across his scruffy jaw, contemplating my offer. It sends another pang through my chest, because Iknowhis only hesitation is that he feels like he’ll be putting too much on my shoulders. Sam’s only flaw is that he carestoomuch, but I’m hoping his undying devotion to Hope House will win out. After a few quiet moments, he sits forward in his seat and mirrors my palms on the desk.
“Gia,” he starts, his voice is softer, and I feel emotion gather in my chest. “I don’t know much about your situation, because I’m under the impression you don’t like to talk about it much, but I hope you know your worth.” Sam’s ability to read people who, I guess, are damaged like me, is second to none. I avoid his gaze, instead turning my attention to the bookcases lined with old colourful lever-arch folders, which I’m sure contain the details of every woman that’s passed through these doors. From nowhere, tears prick the back of my eyes. I’ve never told anyone about my life with Daniel, but now I know that without ever being told, Sam knows. And to be seen and acknowledged, it turns out, is quite an overwhelming sensation. “Of course I will accept your offer on behalf of Hope House. Heck, if anyone can rally a fundraiser and pull us from the trenches here, it’s you.”
I turn back at the smile in his voice. He’s looking at me with such kindness my heart swells. “But please promise me you’ll also use your time to focus on your studies and rebuild your life. You were a gift sent to us at exactly the right time, and we all love you and are so grateful for everything you do here.”
“Thanks, Sam,” I say as a tear escapes and slips down my cheek. I discreetly wipe it away with a knuckle. “I promise I will. But this place has helped me just as much, and I want to do what I can to give back. I’ll let you know when I have more details.”
“Sounds great, Gianna. Thank you.”
I leaveSam’s office with one hundred thoughts flying through my head about where to start searching for gala locations, sponsors, donations, and ideas to promote such an event. And yes, despite what I’m sure are Sam’s wishes, Iwillget him in a suit for this occasion. Excitement like I haven’t felt in yearsbubbles in my stomach and spreads through my veins like a highly infectious disease.Purpose.That’s what the feeling is, and it feels good.It’s an added bonus that it acts as a distraction from the Zayn-sized elephant that’s been trumpeting around in my mind since Sunday.
There’s a skip in my step as I go in search of Emma. We planned to make scones together after I had my chat with Sam, and judging by how eager she’s been all morning, I’m sure I’ll find her in the kitchen ready to go. On my way, I pass the living area and see Hudson and Hattie playing LEGOs on the old crochet mat. Beth’s reading a book with her feet propped up in the soft, aged-leatherarmchair behind them. The scene is so peaceful it makes me smile.
I’m still watching the twins when both their heads snap up towards the entrance of the living room that connects to the foyer of Hope House. My gaze follows theirs at the same time they both yelp, “Daddy!”
My heart plummets down to my ankles at the same time the blood drains from my face.
Standing in the arched doorway across from me is a gaunt, unshaven man with dark circles under the eyes of an unnaturally pale face. His hardened gaze is locked on the two toddlers who have started to make their way towards him.
Acting on impulse, I swivel direction and launch into the living room, reaching out, barely grasping the back of the kids’ overalls as I yank them both behind me, placing myself between them and their unhinged father. It takes a moment for me to register the screams coming from Beth. My heart is beating so fast in my chest it rattles my ribcage. Panic makes my movements jittery as I try to step back from the man, pushing the toddlers with me, but the man mirrors the movement and takes a small step forward. He’s less than three steps away from me, and I can smell the alcohol on his breath from here. Adrenaline pushes its way through my blood-stream, making me want to hurl, but I swallow it down. I can’t lose my shit now when Beth and the kids need me.
Beth.The woman that arrived at Hope House beaten so badly by her husband that I spent a whole morning cradling her? Yeah, that was Beth.
Flinging my arms out to the side to stop the kids from moving around me, I tilt my head back and stare down atthe man whose slightly yellowing eyes have come to meet mine, his ashen face mutated with rage.
“Beth,” I say as calmly as I can over her whimpering. “Take the kids and go to Sam’s office.”
I need to get them out of here. I also need Sam, because I don’t think I can stop this man on my own. He may look weakened by the effects of his alcoholism, but he still has a solid seven inches on me and a cruel streak I know all too well.
There’s movement and panicked whispering behind me when the man opens his mouth. His voice is gravelly and low and sends a chill down my spine. “Don’t you move a fucking inch, bitch. They’re my kids.”
He steps forward and I spread my arms out wider in an attempt to block him.
“RUN BETH!” I scream, hopefully loud enough for Sam to hear as the man launches himself forward. I see his arm swinging before I have the chance to block him or move.
Pain erupts in my right cheek as his fist connects with my face. A scream rips its way up my throat and my head is forced sideways, my body following as I stumble to the ground, pain splintering my knees and wrists when I throw them down to catch my fall. Without stopping to wipe the hot blood that’s dripping down my face, I scramble back up and chase after the man who’s trying to follow Beth through the entrance I came in from. She can’t move fast enough with the kids and he gains on her quickly. Dizziness tries to grip me, but I grab hold of the back of his flannel shirt and yank as hard as I can, trying to stop him from getting them, but I’m not strong enough. It manages to buy Beth time though. He turns sideways, glaring at me with pure hatred in his eyes. Then he throws an elbow that hits my lip, hard, forcing my head tosnap back. I taste metal as blood fills my mouth and I stumble backwards, cradling my mouth as pain shatters through my jaw. Finally, Sam bursts in from the hallway where I see Cassie ushering Beth and the kids to safety, and tackles the intruder to the ground near where I’m now huddling. He places his whole hundred and ten kilos of muscle onto the struggling man’s chest and holds down his arms, incapacitating him completely as he growls and spits into Sam’s face.
