Sitting in the country club restaurant, Carson was talking to other people and having a grand time, while Nikki sat in silence playing with her napkin. She managed to cover some of the bruises on her face. Someone asked what happened and Carson said she was clumsy and fell down.

Out of the blue, someone came up behind her and Carson started smiling. He got up and greeted the woman and pulled out a chair next to him.

“Mercedes, you made it. You look stunning. Please, sit.”

Nikki felt like she was in a nightmare.

“You invited her? On our date? I thought you said you were sorry.” Nikki got ready to walk out. “You are a monster.”

She rushed out and he followed. But only once he saw people looking at him. Once outside Carson reached for her. Grabbing her by the arm, he threw her against the brick wall outside of the clubhouse. Her head banged against the wall and Nikki rubbed the spot wincing in pain.

“Don’t ever embarrass me like that in front of those people.”

“Carson, you’re a jerk. How could you invite her here?”

He looked around to see if anyone was watching. Turning back he hit her hard across the face knocking her to the ground. He straightened his tie looking around.

“I will do whatever I damn-well-please. Get up. Go home. I don’t want to see your face tonight. Matter of fact. I don’t want to see you at work. Don’t come in tomorrow.”

“Carson!”

He reached down taking her purse and took her credit cards.

“Figure it out a way home. I’m not going to keep supplying your life. When you come home, I will give you this back. Here are a hundred bucks. Get the hell out of here.”

Nikki threw the money at him and got up grabbing her purse. “I don’t need your money. I don’t need you.”

He grabbed her by the hair, talking in her ear. “Don’t mess with me, Nikki. You know that I could make things very bad for you. Go home.”

He shoved her away and went back inside. Smiling and shaking hands to the other guest inside like a politician acting as if nothing happened.

***

Nikki walked for miles toward her home. She didn’t think she would make it the whole twelve miles to the West End. Taking off her shoes she just sobbed while pulling her body down the road. How did Carson turn into this abusive womanizer?

Walking through Hurstbourne, someone pulled up next to her. Brandon, one of Reece’s friends, was in his Escalade looking at her with a cheeky grin. She was forbidden to talk to any Right Hooks, especially at the country club. She had known Brandon before meeting Carson but he stopped any friendships she once had.

“Hey! Nikki! What are you doing out here so late, all alone?”

Nikki looked up seeing Brandon smiling at her. “Hey, Brandon. I’m going home.”

She kept walking as he drove beside her.

“I heard you moved out of the house and Mercedes is there. Where are you staying?”

She stopped. “What do you want Brandon?”

“I just saw a woman in a fancy dress walking around at night alone. I thought maybe you needed help. Do you need a ride? It’s not safe walking around alone at night. Even in this area.”

She thought for a second. If Carson saw her he would be livid for her even talking to Brandon. “Can you take me out to my apartment on the West End?”

“Sure, hop in.”

Brandon was always nice to her so she knew she could trust him.

Nikki didn’t say anything. Just rode quietly.

Brandon looked over, seeing the bruises forming on her face. “So, that black eye have anything to do with you alone walking the streets? I saw you at dinner tonight with Dumont. What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She just looked out the window.

“Nikki, it’s not my place, but we can stop by the police station if you want.” He seemed genuinely concerned.

“I just want to go home. Why do you care anyway? I thought Right Hooks hated anything Dumont.”

Brandon understood. He knew Carson forced her to stay away from any of his friends. “Because you are hurt and we use to be friends when you first moved here. Are you okay?”

“I'll be fine. I just want to be as far away from here as I can.”

“Okay. If you want to talk about it, I’m a good listener.”

He handed her a paper towel and some bottled water from the back seat. She was cut on her eyebrow and the sight of her made Brandon want to turn the car around and beat the crap out of the person who hurt her.

“Thanks for the help. I’m starting to feel like stories I heard about you guys aren’t all true.” She patted her cut, blotting the blood from her face.

“You have no idea how true that is.”

Finally, they reached the apartment and he looked at her with concern.

“Thanks for the ride, Brandon.”

“No problem. You need anything, let me know. Here’s my card. Call anytime.”

She smiled and got out of the car. Brandon drove away and she just stood looking at the apartment building. Walking to the abandoned play area she sighed. The old apartment building was pretty run down. She figured Carson put her here to make sure she was as miserable as possible. She honestly didn’t mind it that much. Other than her huge fear of rats. She never cared about fancy things. She just wanted to feel like she belonged someplace again.

Walking up the stairs she just sat down and started crying a few steps up. Her face hurt, her ribs hurt from the attack before, and her heart hurt most of all.

Reece had been taking the trash to the dumpster. Walking back in his apartment building courtyard he saw a woman who appeared to be crying on the steps in front of his apartment. Getting closer he saw she was dressed nicely and holding her shoes and purse to her chest. Her forehead resting on the steps behind her.

Rolling his eyes. “Fucking great.” He huffed to himself. Leaning towards her. “Miss, you all right?”

Nikki sat up moving her hair out of her eye that was not hurt. "Reece?” She said softly sobbing.

“Dumont? What are you doing here?”

She started crying harder leaning back again on the steps and covering her face. Reece looked around seeing no one else could help her.

“Shit. Why me?” He felt bad for her but also didn’t want to be involved. He shook his head, and with ease, picked her up in his arms. “Come on. I got you.”

He took her to his apartment and sat her in his lap on the couch. Just holding her why she cried. His apartment was dimly lit and smelled of sandalwood and coffee.

“Want to tell me what’s going on?”

She sat up pulling her hair out of her eyes. She moved to the area next to him. Trying to hide her face and shaking her head no.

Resse shrugged. “Okay. Don’t then. Want a beer?”

“Sure.” She tried to pull herself together.

Bringing back the beer, the light shining in the window from the streetlamp hit her face. Reece leaned over grabbed her chin lightly so he could get a better view.

“Who did this?” He didn’t need to hear it. He already knew.

“Reece, please. It’s okay.” She got nervous knowing how much the men didn’t like each other.

“Okay? Look at you. Did Carson do this?”

She shook her head yes. “Please, just drop it.”

He got up to grab his keys. “I’ll kick the shit out of him.”

Nikki jumped up from the couch to stop him. “Just let it go. Please? I just want to be left alone.”

“So, you're going to allow that bastard to hit you? How many times has he done this?”

She just looked defeated. “I don’t want to bother you with my problems. Thanks for caring, but it’s not your concern.”

She got up and walked out the door heading to her apartment. Reece wanted to just let her go, but something inside him couldn’t let it.

“Damn it. Why do I keep getting myself into this shit.” He followed her. “What are you doing here?”

She looked back down the steps at him. “I live here. For a few weeks now.”

“Nikki, come back in. You need to put something on that eye.” He reached out his hand. She looked around scared Carson would show up. “Come on. I just put a pizza in the oven if you’re hungry.”

She agreed and went back to his apartment. He went to the freezer grabbing a bag of frozen peas, putting it on her eye. Looking up into his piercing blue eyes she felt safe again.

He smiled and sat next to her. “So. Did you even get a good shot in? At least tell me you kicked his ass.”

She reached up taking the bag.

“No. He’s too strong for me. He’s been acting crazy since Mercedes got here.”

“You can’t let him get away with it. You’re not a punching bag. I have no respect for men who hit women.”

He leaned over his knees folding his hands trying to keep calm. Looking back at her he felt awful. Reece got in plenty of fights over the years but never hit a woman. He wanted to find Carson and give him back what he dished out.

“I’m just so confused right now. Carson never hit me before she got here. He was always bossy and demanding but never this.”

Looking around she noticed the apartment was pretty bare. A stereotypical bachelor pad. Sort of in disarray and the bare minimum decor.

He chuckled. “It’s sure not the fancy life in Cherokee Park is it?”

She blushed. “At least you have furniture. I have a mattress on the floor and I think a pet rat. I hate rats.”

“Gross. I have some traps. I will bring you one over.”

Nikki put down the frozen peas and turned to face him.

“Reece, can I ask you something? What happened with Carson? Why is he stuck in the past?” She fidgeted with her dress.

“I’m not sure if it’s my place to tell you. I have real problems with him. If you both wanted to make up then I don’t want to be the one to ruin your illusion of Mr. Perfect.” He grabbed his beer trying to avoid the question.

“Hardly perfect. Look what he did to my face. Trust me. He’s no saint. Nothing you could say could have any more effect on my view of him.” She looked so broken.

“Maybe one day I will tell you my side. Right now is not the time. Let’s eat. I’ll walk you to your place after.”

“All right. Another time then.”

After they ate, Reece scooted next to her taking her hand and kissed her knuckles. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him. The same woodsy scent he always wore wafted between them. It was becoming the scent she would long for. In a strange way, it made her feel safe.

They settled back into the couch and she rested her head on his shoulder. For the first time in weeks, she felt peace. It occurred to her that she was finding comfort in the arms of another man. She should feel guilty but she didn’t. Reese was the type of she always wished Carson would be. Kind and laid back. Not worried about impressing anyone. He was comfortable with who he was. All that mattered now was that she felt safe in this man’s arms. It had been a long time she felt this way and didn’t want it to ever end.