Love At First Glance (Love at Firsts #1)(44)

I sit with my back against the headboard, wrapping my arms around my knees and silent tears fall down my cheeks.

I don’t know how much times passes but next thing I know is Spencer walking in and picking me up before sitting back on my bed with me in his lap. He’s beyond furious. I can feel him shaking with rage underneath me and I lose it as the tears start to fall uncontrollably.

“I’m here, Love. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to protect you from that *.” He kisses my head fiercely and I can hear the sadness in his voice.

“I-I’m okay,” I say with a shaky voice.

“No you’re not.” He looks at me intently.

“I will be, Valentine got here before Adam got the opportunity to do anything.”

“He hurt you.” He whispers sadly and brushes his fingers over my bruised cheeks. “That sick mother f*cker! Give me two minutes. I’ll be right back. Plug your ears or listen to music. I don’t want you to listen to this.” He tells me as he lifts me off his lap and places me on the bed.

“W-What are you going to do?” I look at him, worried that he’s going to do something stupid.

“Something I should have done when I first saw him.” He kisses my head and hands me my iPod. I comply and put on my headphones, turning the volume up as loud as it can go. I have a pretty good idea of what he’s going to do and I don’t want to hear any of it.

The door opens a few minutes later, Spencer walks back in and immediately climbs into bed with me pulling me against his body with Valentine following not far behind him.

“Th…Thank you Val. I don’t know what wo-”

“Don’t. I know. I’m just glad I was home to hear you scream. Take good care of her and I’ll be home all day if you need me. Just gotta take out the trash.” He gives a knowing look to Spencer who nods back at him.

“Okay?” My eyes go back and forth between the two of them, hoping one of them will explain.

“It’s alright.” Spencer kisses the top of my head and cuddles me as I hear Valentine closing the door and disappearing into the living room.

“You beat him up.”

“Don’t ask what you don’t want to know, Have,” he says softly.

“I wasn’t asking. I’m not that stupid.” I glare at him.

“I know you’re not. How do you feel?” he asks and frowns as he inspects my cheeks.

“I’ll be okay. I was lucky.” I sigh and cuddle into him, needing to be as close to him as possible.

“Yes, you were, it’s the first time I was glad to see Valentine in your apartment.” He chuckles nervously.

“You don’t say.” I kiss his chest and lay my head over his heart. It doesn’t take long before his heartbeat lulls me to sleep.



The Next Day

The next day Spencer insisted on driving me to work and even walked me into the office much to my embarrassment.

“Stop being such a baby. I'm not leaving you on your own. Valentine and I might have handled Adam's sorry ass, but that doesn't mean shit. You never know what the f*cker might try next,” he says with a tone of finality in his voice.

“Alright!” I groan.

“You know I just want to protect you and make sure nothing bad happens to you.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. More than I show.” I squeeze his arm.

“That's better.” He kisses my head and walks me out of the elevator.

“Can you go now? I feel like I'm the petulant kid who has to have their parent walk them to their desk so they don’t make a run for freedom,” I plead with him.

“Okay, I can do that for you. And I know you were a little shit and you did that when you were little. Don't play innocent with me, Missy, I’ve known you for too long.” He grins.

“Only because you instigated it.” He goes to open his mouth but I cut him off. “Don't deny it, you know damn well you're the one who suggested we go skip school and go to the park.”

“Could have worked.” He holds his hands up.

“Yeah. Could have, if only Martha hadn’t have rat us out.” I frown.

“Good times.” He chuckles. “Go on, before they come out looking for you.” He kisses my cheek and hugs me. I return his hug and he walks back in the elevator, waving creepily at me until the doors close.

I take a deep breath and walk into the office, hoping they won't notice, but knowing damn well that it’s going to be hard to hide the evidence. “What the f*ck happened to you!?” Matt exclaims. So much for hiding what happened.

“Long story.” I sigh and sit at my desk. I managed to cover the bruises but there wasn’t much I could do about the swelling. I look like a hamster who’s shoved too much food into their cheeks.

“Do tell.” Matt presses.

“Ex-boyfriend didn’t like me moving on and being happy so he decided it would be a good idea to show up at my place to abuse and rape me. Luckily my neighbor was in to save me.” I sigh.

“Shit, Gorgeous.” He kisses my head. “If you need to leave early let me know, I’ll sign you out.”

“Thanks Matt, I should be okay though. Could you drop me off home after work tonight please?” I ask.