“Sorry about that. So, how long have you worked at Badlands?”
“Almost five years. Declan hired me when Iwas eighteen. I had just moved to town and needed something that paid good and had a set schedule so I could still take classes.”
“What are you studying?” he asks.
“I’m about to get…”
“Here you are, Sir. Miss. The food will be out shortly.” Mark interrupts us and sets down the pot. He nods at us, picks up the old mugs, and takes them with him.
“Sorry. You were saying?” he says before taking a sip of his orange juice.
“I’ll be graduating in seven weeks. My degree is in psychology, majoring in behavioral psychology.”
“Wow! That’s impressive for someone so young.”
“Thanks. I worked my ass off to get my PHD by the time I turned twenty-three.”
He nearly chokes on his orange juice.
“PHD?”
“Yep. I got into online college early in a special program. I started when I was sixteen.”
“Damn. Smart as hell and one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever laid eyes on!” His cheeks blush as if his inner thoughts escaped.
“Thanks.”
He sets the juice down, and we reach for the pot at the same time. His fingers wrap around mine as I grab the handle.
“Here, let me.” He takes the pot from me and pours it exactly how full I like it.
We sit in a comfortable silence for a moment while I stir thecream into my coffee.
“So, does Declan treat you well?” he asks as he slides the container of sugars to me.
“Mostly, yeah.”
“Mostly?” he growls. Instinctively, I grab onto my wrist where the bruises are darkening.
“Yeah. He has a lot to worry about with the club and the women.”
I pull the hoodie sleeves further down my arm to hide my wrist, but it’s too late. He already saw the purple and blue bruises. I can see the muscles in his neck tighten, and his jaw clicks from clenching his teeth. He reaches for my arm before I can pull it away. His hold on me is gentle. I could easily pull away if I want to…But I don’t.
“Did he do this?” His voice is hushed but is seething with rage. There aren’t any other customers right now.
I don’t say a word, just look away. My reflection stares back at me in the dingy glass. It’s raining now. The parking lot is dimly lit, but beyond the pavement, it’s dark. The sun has barely started to peek over the horizon.
I can feel his thumb brushing over the bruise. What’s there to even say? Yeah, Declan did this. He held me down and fucked me…Don’t worry though…He usually only gets like this when he drinks. Oh, and now that you’re here, because for some reason he wants to kill you.
No…I can’t say any of that.
“Lu…Did he do this?” he asks again. His voice is a bit more controlled as he pulls my sleeve back down.
I can feel the tears burning. Is it sad that I’m just used to it, so it doesn’t even fucking phase me anymore? Yeah…that’s fucking sad. Sad and pathetic. I could just crack a joke about needing a good therapist…
“Here you go!” Mark breaks the tension by setting down our food. The smell of Ray’s homemade sausage gravy makes my mouth water and my stomach growl.
“Thanks,” I say as I grab my fork to dig in.
