"It's your own damn fault for naming a sex toy. What's wrong with you?"
And there it was. Was this really what my future held? More abuse.
Davis' P.O.V.
Lisa was due to arrive soon for our workout session. I couldn't get the thought of her with some guy, her dad involved her with, out of my head. It has played in my thoughts since I dropped her off at her apartment. More like she dropped herself off since she drove.
Lisa was a very interesting woman. She had a sharp mind, a kind heart, and a playful demeanor. I was surprised when she asked me to teach her how to fight, but I was happy about it. God knows she needs to defend herself. Every woman should have the know-how, really.
I taught Izzy how to fight, despite her protests the entire time. She was not into fighting, having grown up watching it. She was tired of it, and, frankly, desensitized from it. It gave me peace of mind, knowing Izzy could handle herself if she needed to. I won't let what happened to her mother happen to her as well.
I pulled my phone out, texting Lisa when she still hadn't shown fifteen minutes later.
Davis:Where are you? You're late.
When she didn't respond, I panicked. I should have asked her more questions about the guy. His full name would have been a useful question to have asked. Where were they going, or where they were going to meet, would have been useful information. There were so many questions I should have asked her before letting her go.
What if she was hurt?
I haven't felt this panicked in a while, not since that night in the darkness of that alley. Not since the night I lost my wife, and part of myself. This wouldn’t turn out the same way as before. I wouldn't let it happen.
"Sorry I'm late," she called out as she entered the gym floor.
She was wearing a light, oversized, sleeveless hoodie, with its hood pulled up far, covering most of her face in a dark shadow. The only parts of her I could see was her jawline and chin. I could tell something was wrong, so I immediately marched up to her and pulled her hood down to reveal two red, swollen cheeks, and a cracked lip.
"He hurt you?!" I forgot to keep the sting off my voice, yelling at her by mistake. She flinched, taking a step back, stabbing my heart. I didn't mean to scare her.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. It just makes me so mad when a man hits a woman." I gently caressed her wounded cheek with my thumb. "Especially a woman I care about," I admitted, seeing her eyes widen in surprise.
I was not afraid to admit that I care about her.
"I don't know what to do," she said, sounding so broken. It was as if the weight of the world sat on her shoulders.
"Leave him. Tell me his name, and where he lives, and I'll make sure he never bothers you again."
I held her chin as I spoke softly to her, taking another step towards her until there was no room between us. Her eyes held mine for a while as she thought. All she had to do was say his name and I would take care of it. I would keep her safe.
"I can't leave him," she said, surprising me with her words.
"Yes, you can Lisa. I can help."
She shook her head, taking a step back from me. She pulled away, leaving me feeling empty. The way her eyes looked at me, it was like she was begging me to understand. How could I, when she was telling me she wouldn't leave a man that was hurting her?
"You don't understand." She shook her head, almost frustrated. "Just teach me how to fight, Davis. That's all I need from you."
That's all I need from you. Those words played on repeat in my head. She didn’t want me in the same way I wanted her.
I would take the hint and back off. I wasn’t one to pressure a woman. If she wanted me to teach her, then I would. I would make sure she could fight off the man that was hurting her. But she was a fool if she thought I would not find out who he was, and beat the ever living shit out of him when I did.
"I'll teach you, Lisa, but tell me what's going on? I can help," I begged her, holding her gaze so she could see how desperate I was.
"It's not your problem to solve. I'll handle it. I just need to learn how to defend myself."
She sounded determined, with a fury in her eyes I'd never seen before. It was like there was a fire behind the ocean in her eyes. I nodded my head, realizing she wasn't ready to open up to me yet. I would make her see that I was here for her, and maybe soon she would tell me what was going on.
I had her working out, but she winced at times. I know I didn't work her too hard yesterday for her muscles to be aching this way. Something else was going on. I worried that he hadn't just hit her face. Seeing how she winced with each sit up, I made her stop and move on to lifting. That seemed to be less painful for her.
After an hour, I had her go to the locker room to shower off. I had Tori go in after her, and make sure that Lisa was the only one in there. When Tori came out and gave me a nod, I walked in. I was no pervert, just needed to see the extent of Lisa's injuries, knowing she wouldn't show me willingly.
