Blake
Chloe and I were still sitting at the diner where we had been for a couple of hours. My car got fixed over an hour ago, but I hadn’t left yet because Chloe still hadn’t given me an answer about leaving with me. I am hoping she will say yes. I can see the marks on her face and wrists, no matter how hard she tries to hide them. I needed her to leave with me because she wasn’t safe in her home, which wasn’t right.
“Fuck,” Chloe says suddenly, panic taking over her face and fear in her eyes.
“Chloe, what’s wrong?” I ask, worried, following where her eyes are and see the bastard from last night across the street with two other guys standing outside the bar.
I wanted nothing more than to run over there and knock the bastard out.
“Blake, he can’t see me in here and especially not with you. You should go,” she whimpers, pleading to me with her eyes, “The friends he is with aren’t nice guys. If Max sees you after what happened last night, he won’t hesitate to hurt you, and his friends will help.”
I wasn’t one for running from fights, but there were all back guys and could probably do me over good. Though, I am not letting Chloe stay behind.
“Slouch down, out of sight and stay there. I will be back in two minutes.” I insist because I have an idea.
“You need to leave. I am not allowing you to get hurt because of me. Please just go and forget about me. It is better that way,” she begs tears building in her eyes.
“No. Trust me, okay? I will be back in a minute. Stay low.” I make sure to be sterner this time.
She sighs, nods and slumps down so if Max happens to look over this way, he wouldn’t see her. I stand from the seat, heading over to the counter. One of the servers came over.
“Hello, what can I get you?” she asks, smiling.
“I need a favour. My friend’s boyfriend is not a nice guy, and he is right across the road. I don’t want him seeing her or me. I am wondering, is there a back way we can get out? It would be much appreciated.” I make sure to be as charming as I can, hoping it will be enough to convince.
“Yes, of course, we have a back entrance for deliveries. You can use that, and then if you head down the ally, it will take you back out on the street, further down.” She replies.
“Thank you. It means a lot. Can I have the cheque for our table, please?” I smile.
She nodded, checking it and came back for me to pay. I hand her a hundred-dollar bill, and she looks at me, confused.
“Your tip for helping us.” It is the least I can do.
It took a moment for her to agree to take it. I excuse myself and make my way back over to Chloe.
“Come on. We can use the back entrance to leave. My car is further enough down the street they won’t see us.”
She sighs, running her fingers through her hair, “Blake, you don’t need to protect. I will be okay.”
I cross my arms over my chest and raise my brow at her, “Chloe, you either get your ass off the seat and follow me, or I pick you up, toss you over my should and carry you out. The choice is yours, angel.”
Chloe rolls her eyes, gathers up her things and stands, “Fine.”
I chuckle at her reaction. I offer her my hand, which she takes, and we quickly make our way through the restaurant, the waitress showing us where to go.
“Thank you again.” I smile.
She smiles back, nodding and heads back inside. I keep Chloe close to me as we turn into the alleyway, keeping my eyes open because this part of town isn’t too safe. We reach the end safely, but I tell her to stay behind as I check out in the street, making sure Max and his buddies haven’t moved.
“Come on, beautiful. We are in the clear.” I smile.
We make a quick dash towards my car, climb in and get on our way.
“Are you always so stubborn?” Chloe says, huffing, and I see her cross her arms out of the corner of my eye.
“How am I stubborn?” I chuckle.
“Because I told you to, like, three times, and you didn’t listen. Do you know what they would have done to you if they got their hands on you, Blake? You would be seriously hurt, probably laid up in a hospital bed.” She tosses her hands around with every word and continues rambling.
I leave her to it, letting her finish her piece. I reach over, resting my hand on her knee, “Chloe, calm down, please. I am fine. Nothing happened. There was no chance in hell I was leaving you there alone.”
“You are an idiot but also sweet. Thank you.” She places her hand over mine, squeezing it.
“I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended,” I chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.
It works because she laughs, “It is a compliment, silly man.”
“Okay. So, you can stay at mine, or if you are more comfortable, I can book you into a hotel, but you need to promise me you won’t make a run for it and return to him.” I say gently.
“I would feel better staying at your place.”
I was hoping that would be her answer because, at least at my place, I know she is safe and away from Max.
“You stay as long as you need,” I promise.
I know she has agreed to stay with me, but it doesn’t mean it is permanent because she may return to Max. I hope she doesn’t, and I will try everything to keep her away, but she is her own person, and I can’t make her do something she isn’t ready for. Maybe I can ask my mom to come over and chat with her because she understands better than me what it is like to be in such a horrible situation.
“Thank you, but Blake, I don’t have any money to help with anything, though. I will find a job, I promise. Maybe at another strip club, one Max doesn’t visit.” She whimpers, panicking all over again.
“Chloe, none of those matters. I don’t expect anything from you. We can help you find another job when you are ready, one which isn’t a strip club.”
I am not judging anyone who strips or does anything else like that to make a living because some people don’t have a choice, but I would rather find something else for Chloe because I know how much she hates it.
“I need to repay you somehow, Blake.” She protests.
“No, you don’t. The main focus is taking care of you and keeping you out of harm’s way. Everything else can wait.” I make sure to sound confident, so she knows I am serious.
“Alright,” she sighs, turning to stare out of the window.
I won’t say much else. It will take some adjusting, but I am a patient man, and I will give her, as long as she needs to work things out, work out what she wants to do.