Page 19 of Sinful Addiction
“If you like your job...”the manager said and then stopped abruptly.
She stayed frozen.She felt him suddenly back off, and he wasn’t talking or touching her, but she didn’t trust him.A sob caught in her throat when a warm hand gripped her shoulder.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
Her heart jerked at the sound of a voice she never thought she’d hear again.Wishful thinking, she surmised, because of the dreadful situation she was in, and the only time she’d felt safe was with them.
****
Jon gently turned herto face him.When he caught sight of the pain and terror in her face, he wanted to kill the man.He used his thumbs to wipe away her tears.
A gasp caught in her throat at the sight of Jon.The fear dissipated.With a cry, she crumbled against his chest, clutched his arms as great sobs tore from her mouth.Jon kissed the top of her head as he pulled her closer to his chest.
“You will never have to deal with that bastard again.”He tightened his grip on the back of her head when she tried to see what was happening on the other side of the room.He didn’t want her to see Koa in a rage, with his hand wrapped around her boss’s neck and lifted against the wall.The guy’s feet were several inches above the floor.Jon noticed the man turning a dark shade of blue.
Jon sighed.“Hey, Koa, you might want to let up a bit.Remember, we decided to stay out of jail.”
A long moment passed before Koa could pull back his rage enough to see the man’s face.“Fuck!”Koa said and dropped the man and watched him crumble to the floor.
The manager clutched his neck with both hands as he choked and struggled to get his breath back.He flinched away when Koa crouched beside him.
“Listen carefully, you sick fuck.You’re going to quit your job right now and move at least a thousand miles away.I don’t want the chance of her ever seeing your face again.”
“But—”
“No buts, you bastard, we will have one of our men keep tabs on you until we’re satisfied.If we find out you’re not doing what we’re asking, that man will bring you to us, and then we’ll cut you up in so many little pieces, no one will be able to find you.”
Mr.Lewis started crying.
“Did you hear me?”Koa growled.
The guy nodded and violently flinched away when Koa stood.
****
Koa walked to whereJon held Mina and was whispering soothing words in her ear.He wrapped his arm around her from behind.Koa pressed his lips to the side of her head and closed his eyes.He was never going to get the picture of her terrified and that man touching her out of his mind.He couldn’t remember being this angry before in his life.
Koa looked at Jon over her head.“Let’s get her out of here.”
Jon nodded.“Let’s get your stuff, baby, and then Koa and I will take you home.”
Mina took a step back, bumping into Koa’s chest and wiping her eyes.They helped her empty her meager belongings into a cloth bag she brought with her every day.She stopped them as they moved her to leave.
“Wait for a second,” she said and turned.She walked over to the manager as he cowered on the floor and kicked him in the side.
“You’re a bad man, and Karma will get you back for the things you’ve done.”She kicked him one more time, turned, and ran back to the men.
Jon chuckled and shook his head.“Remind me never to piss you off.”
She pushed her hair off her face, sniffed, and tried to smile.“You better believe it.”
Koa caught the flash of pain she tried to hide from them.He surmised it was a headache from her sensitivity to light and how she had touched her temples a few times.Once they got back to Sanctuary, where they had the third floor as their living space, they’d take care of her.
Both men led her out of the lounge.Koa had an arm curled around her waist, and Jon had one of her hands.They stopped when they noticed the group of people gathered right outside the door.The two girls Mina worked with, a younger boy who worked there, and a few customers, stood frozen and staring at them in shock.
“Everything’s okay, folks,” Koa said and raised a hand.“Go on about your business.”
Everyone reluctantly started to move away.
