Blake
“Please, let me come with you, Blake? This is my mess. I can’t expect you to clean it up for me.” Chloe sighs.
I am getting ready to head to her place. I have a list of everything she needs, plus her key.
“Chloe, I am not putting you in harm’s way. I will be fine and have my friends with me. Please, don’t stress. Relax and make yourself at home.” I say softly.
There is no chance in hell I am letting Max anywhere near her.
“Fine, but please be careful.” she whimpers.
“I promise.” I smile, pulling her close to me and hugging her.
She clings to me, and I can hear she is crying. I pull away and place my finger on her chin, tilting her head back so she looks up at me.
“Please don’t cry, Chloe. Everything will be okay, and after today, you will never have to see him again, not while I am around.” I wipe the tears away.
She nods, but I am not sure if she believes it.
I place a soft kiss on her damp cheek, “I won’t be long. See you soon.”
“Just watch your back, Blake.” I can see the fear in her eyes.
I hug her tightly once more, “I will.”
We part, and I grab my car keys and my cell and double check I have her list and house key. I plan on getting this done quickly because I don’t think I could trust myself being around Max too long without wanting to kill the bastard.
I head out to my car. My friends had no idea what was happening, but they knew I needed them, so no questions were asked. I will tell them once I pick them up. I know Max is dangerous, but I am not scared of him, nor will my friends.
I drove the short distance to my friend Carter’s place to pick him up and my other friend Nate since they were meeting me there. I pull up outside, texting Carter to let him know I am outside. My friends come out of the building only minutes later, climbing into my car.
“Blake, what is going on? Your call sounded urgent. Are you in some sort of trouble?” Nate asks, concerned.
“No, not me, but someone else,” I reply.
“Who?” Carter questions.
I take a deep breath and start telling them what has been going on, the reason why I cancelled on them. I told them about Chloe’s situation and how I needed to get her things and keep her away from Max.
“And where is Chloe?” Carter asks.
“She is staying with me for the moment. Are you guys still okay with coming with me? I will understand if you don’t?” I sigh.
I wouldn’t pressure them into it, and if I had to, I would go myself.
“Yes, of course, we are coming with you. The guy sounds like a piece of shit. Poor girl, how is she doing?” Nate asks.
“He is. He reminds me of my dad. Honestly, she is terrified and hurting. I told her to stay with me for as long as she needs. There is no way in fucking hell I am letting her go back to that bastard.”
My fists clench on the wheel out of anger, my words coming out in a hiss.
Nate pats my back from the backseat, “At least she will be safe with you now.”
“Yes, for now. I hope she doesn’t go back to him. I know how hard it is for people to leave their abusers.”
The mere thought of it broke my heart. I will do whatever I can to stop that from becoming a possibility, but there is only so much I can do if Chloe isn’t ready to give him up completely. Maybe with some help, she will realise she doesn’t need him, and she will be protected if she sticks with me.
“I understand that, but if she has you around, I am sure she won’t. You are one of the good guys, and I am sure she knows that.” Carter says.
I hope so. I concentrate on my driving, preparing myself for seeing Max, if he is home anyway. I know what car I am looking out for.
***
I pull up outside the address Chloe gave me, spotting Max’s car out front. He is home!
I glance between my friends, “Ready?”
They nod, and we climb out. I take some deep breaths as we walk up the path to the front door because if I don’t stay calm the second I see his face, I will punch it. Carter and Nate stand at each side of me, and I knock loudly on the front door, making sure he hears me.
It takes a moment, but I hear him coming towards the door. He opens it, and his face drops when he sees me. He must recognise me from the other night.
“What the fuck are you doing here? And where the hell is my girlfriend?” he hisses, his fists clenching at his side.
“I am here to get her things. As for where she is, it is none of your fucking business, you piece of shit.” I snarl, an anger building in me.
“And what makes you think I am going to let you in? It is my business. Now tell me where the bitch is.” His eyes are pure evil.
“Do I look like I am asking you permission? And don’t fucking call her that, you bastard. You will never see her again, and if you come anywhere near her, I will fucking kill you.” I threaten.
He went to go for me, but before he had the chance to get close, Carter’s fist connected with his jaw, knocking him to the ground, “Stay down. It is where you belong, you cowardly, pathetic excuse of a man.”
“Blake, you head in and get what you need. We will keep an eye on him.” Nate suggests.
I nod, stepping over him and go to search for the bedroom. Chloe told me where I would find everything, including her meds. I found where her clothes were, but she didn’t seem to have much. Max’s stuff seemed to be taking up most of the room. Why does that surprise me? I find everything on the list, packing it into the bag I brought with me. Once I had everything, I searched for the bathroom, finding it easily and took her medication from the cabinet above the sink. I check to make sure I am lifting the right ones.
I noticed her other medication, which she didn’t mention, but I know what it was for. It is given to recovering addicts. I had no idea she is one because she didn’t tell me. It doesn’t change anything for me, though. Just because she struggles with addiction, it doesn’t mean I will toss her out. I am sure she will tell me when she is ready. I wouldn’t push her on it.
When I got back through, Nate had Max pinned to the wall.
“Watch your fucking back and tell Chloe the same,” Max warns.
“Try your best, Max, but while I am around, you will be nowhere near Chloe. As for me, what makes you think I am scared of you? Bring it because I can promise you this, anything you try, I will make sure it is worse for you.” I walk out, not wanting to be around him any longer.
“Stay in the house, and don’t try anything stupid if you know what is good for you,” Nate says as he and Carter follow me out.
Max slams the door behind us. Yeah, he is so fucking tough now, is he?
I place everything into the trunk of my car, “Thank you for coming with me. It is appreciated.” I smile as we climb back into my vehicle.
I will need to back quickly now because I know Chloe will be worried sick until I am there, and she knows I am okay. I am glad we have her stuff; it may make her feel better and more settled.