AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Joseph’s personal passion is design, so he’s helped to build cheap housing options for those on low incomes. He’s also worked tirelessly for those with disabilities after his mother suffered a terrible attack which left her unable to walk.
Bloody hell, the man was a saint according to the writer of the article. My stomach churned and I wondered how I could continue to be involved with him, considering that he’d probably had sex with most of the people he was ‘helping’.
“Lola!” Elissa shouted as she slammed the front door closed behind her.
Jumping, I dropped my phone. I’d been so engrossed in the article, I hadn’t even heard her key in the lock. Not that I should be ashamed of what I’d found out, it was quite clear that Joe had tricked me. As much as I wanted to trust my friend by telling her, her judgement wasn’t something I could handle.
“Hey, my love.” Elissa barged into the living room and dumped a heavy bag on the floor. “We haven’t had time to catch up so I thought I’d cook us dinner.”
Smiling, I yelped when she threw herself on me and wrapped me in a tight hug. I clung to her, my throat threatening to block with unexpressed emotion. The lump pushed tears into my eyes and I wasn’t sure if I could control them.
“How’s it going?” she asked, sitting back and taking my hands in hers. “Oh sweetheart, what is it?”
Gulping, I shook my head and blinked away the tears, laughing when one escaped down my cheek. “It’s stupid.”
“Stupid enough to make you cry? Is it Joe?” Glaring, she squeezed my hands. “If it is, I’ll bloody get him.”
Studying her flowing locks and pretty blue eyes, I grinned. “Thanks, it’s good to know someone has my back. Although…”
“Although?”
Releasing a loud sigh, I sat back and chewed on my thumb nail. Could I trust my friend not to go batshit crazy over my new man? Could I confide in her without her attacking him with a hairdryer or something?
“Joe has secrets that have shocked me and I’m not sure how to take them. Also, that creep Finley showed up and tried to hurt me again.” My voice shook as I remembered the feel of his hands grabbing at my underwear.
Elissa’s cheeks turned bright red and she shoved herself up from the sofa. “What? That bastard needs to be put down or arrested, either one. Does Joe know?”
I nodded, wringing my hands together as I glanced down at them in my lap. “Yeah, he rescued me from him. Don’t worry, he put him down pretty bad.”
Her shoulders relaxed noticeably and she sat again. I admired her so very much; she had no idea. I’d always believed that I'd be alone, even when living with her. And yet, she’d always been there to support me, since the day we’d moved in together.
“Good.” She formed a fist and held it in the air. “Because if he hadn’t have done that, I’d be fuming.”
“That’s the problem,” I muttered, pulling the fluffy red blanket up to my chin. “He lost control. And then…” I paused, mortified at what I was about to confess. “…we kinda lost control. Together. Against the wall near where Finley was lying. Unconscious. I’m so ashamed.”
Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. “Well, that's certainly a new one for me, I'm not going to lie. So... he beat the shit out of Finley for touching you? What about the police?”
Frowning, I looked around, confused about her direction of thought. “Wait, you don't think it's strange that we did that? Like... right next to his lifeless body?”
Her lips wiggled in amusement as she shrugged. “I mean, it's not ideal... but if a man almost killed a rapist for me, I might get a little out of control too. Guys who want to protect their women are hot. Plus, Finley attacked you twice, he deserved it.”
I went to open my mouth but she held up her hand to stop me. “He is alive, though, right? Because actually killing someone is questionable.”
Somehow finding her amusing, I chewed on my bottom lip. Joe had informed me that his friends had made sure that Finley was found and taken to hospital quickly. I had no idea how, and neither did I want to know how, either. It was best I was kept in the dark... about most things, anyway.
“Yes, he's in hospital. I don't know how badly he was hurt.”
“Don't feel guilty for him.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “He's scum who deserved to be taught a lesson. Men can't do that to people. It's about time other men stood up to them to stop their behaviour.”
Huh. Could that be what had driven Joe's kink? He had claimed that he liked to protect people because he couldn't protect his mother. Reading about him and his friend had freaked me out. So much so, I wasn't sure that I wanted to see him again.
“Also,” I pushed on, “he's really fucking kinky. Like, he wants to own me and shit.”
“Don't!” Elissa put a hand on her chest. “Your very own Christian fucking Grey.”
Rolling my eyes, I debated whether to tell her the last thing. The thing that would seal it all and send her over the edge. How was it that my life was like a book that had been read by millions, if not billions, of people?
“That's the thing,” I said, “I think he's rich too. An older British Christian fucking Grey.”
