Chapter 17 Blue Eyes
"Oh, Jo. You need to get out of there!" Hailey begs. "You can't keep letting her do this to you! You and your sisters are not safe. I would bring you home with me, but there is only me and Harry, and the dogs. We don't have a lot of room...." she rambles, rolling her hands and looking so upset.
I'm not blaming her for a damn thing! Hailey has been the sweetest thing ever and she has been a God send. She gave me this job and even keeps half my pay here so Beth doesn't know about it.
"I know. Don't worry, I wouldn't want to impose on you and Harry," I smile softly. "James and I are working on it. He says we just need to save up a little more money and we'll be good," I try to give a reassuring smile.
"Well! You'd better tell that boy to get on it or I'll be after him!" Hailey huffs in annoyance. "He has plenty of money. I don't know why he's lollygagging and not marrying you right now! He must not know a good thing when he sees one! One day you are going to slip right through that fella's fingers!"
I would laugh it didn't hurt so much. I agree James has been dragging his feet. But there isn't exactly a line of men out the door ready to sweep me off my feet and willing to take my sisters in at the same time.
The morning was pretty slow. But everyone seems to be sleeping in today... I wish I could be like the rest of the world and not have to leave before my Aunt wakes up. But someday my life will be better. I'll still be working, but I won't have my money stolen from me from someone claiming to be family.
I don't really need to be here, but Hailey lets me. She knows if I'm not here it's more time for my Aunt to abuse me. So I'd rather be at work.
Around lunch time I notice a familiar tall stranger pass by our shop. He looks in for just a moment, but his eyes land on me, and smirks for half a second. Then his face turns into a frown as he takes in my bruises. I see a tick in his jaw before he walks away. What the hell was that about?
I still have no idea who he is, but he sure seems to know me... And I guess he doesn't like that my aunt bloodied up my pretty face. That's good to know.
The rest of the day is unremarkable. I finally get done and Hailey gives me a soft hug. "Take care of yourself tomorrow dear! If I see a single new bruise I'll call the cops myself!" she promises.
Tomorrow the shop is closed. We don't open on Sundays. That is a blessing and a curse. I'm glad for a day I can rest, but I have to lock my door to my room so Beth doesn't march into my room and demand I scrub the toilets with my toothbrush. She's made me do some weird crap. I swear there is something mentally wrong with the woman.
"I will, Hailey. Thank you for everything," I say stuffing less than a quarter of my earnings into my purse. "I'll tell Beth we lost sales on my face, and I'm not sure I'm letting her keep it this time!" I smirk.
There is a twinkle in her eyes and nods her head. "Good for you!"
Once again, the moment I get home, the woman who is supposed to be related to my mother steals my purse again, and as expected goes rabid, trying to hit me again, but this time I move away, and grab her wrist.
"Where the hell is the rest of the money Josie?!" She snarls.
"I lost a lot of sales on account of my face being black and blue. No one wanted to come in today!" I snarl back, grabbing my purse from her hand and snatching my money from her in the process. "And that is mine! Thank you very much!"
I don't listen to her bitching to me as I make my way to my sisters' room.
"Jo! You're safe! I was afraid Aunt Beth was going to kick you out!" Charlie rushes as she sobs into my chest.
"Shh, sweetheart. If I get kicked out of here, I have a plan," I whisper into her ear. "I will take you with me," I look up at Liv who also has tears in her eyes. "I will take both of you with me," I promise.
"But how are we supposed to live with no money?" Olivia whispers.
"Did you know, if we didn't live here, I could afford an apartment? I can't afford it now because Beth keeps taking all my savings. But I've got a secret stash and soon we'll used it to get out of here!" I assure them.
"A secret stash? Where?!" Liv demands.
"Some place safe, Liv. I'm not telling you. I know you will run to Ava and Beth will hear about it. It's better if you just forget about it," I state with a straight face.
She looks wounded, which doesn't make any sense. We all know it's the truth.
"I'm sorry girls. I need some rest. I'm going to try and heal tomorrow, but if you need me, just come to my room," I sigh after giving my sisters a hug good night.
I slump into my bed and grab my phone. I make a quick call.
"Hey baby, I'm sorry I've been busy today," James sounds... strange.
"Beth beat the shit out of me yesterday, James. I need to get out of here soon," I mumble.
"I'm sorry, baby. We'll figure out. I promise... But I gotta go. Aunt Anna needs me. I'll see you Monday." And then he hung up.
I don't have the energy to figure out what the hell is going on with my boyfriend. I just rest my head on my pillow and close my eyes.
But the moment darkness envelopes me, those same crystal blue eyes haunt me. I know them... But where?