Page 6 of Hammer’s Fall

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When she stepped out of the bathroom, Hammer was seated in a recliner in one corner of the room, one ankle propped on the opposite knee and a computer propped on his crossed leg.

“I feel better, thank you,” she said, running her fingers through her hair as she tried to work out the tangles from washing without conditioner.

He looked up and closed the computer lid at the same time. “Good. There’s water in the fridge if you’re thirsty.” He pointed to the table bedside the bed and she realized it wasn’t a table, but a small refrigerator. “I won’t be long, but if you’re tired, climb in.” He motioned to the bed on his way past her and into the bathroom. Once the door clicked shut, she stared at the bed for several seconds, then to the chair where he’d been.

Was he giving her the bed and planning to sleep in the chair? She didn’t know, and right now she was too tired to care. She wished for a moment she had enough energy to dry her hair, but she’d deal with it in the morning. Pulling the blankets back, she slipped between the sheets and lay down. She listened as the water came on in the shower as she wiggled and got comfortable, planning to check with Hammer when he came out and make sure this is what he meant, but before she knew it, the world faded away.

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Camila couldn’t move. Something was wrapped around her. Not tight enough she couldn’t breathe but tight enough she couldn’t move. Her mind flashed to when she’d been a child and Papá had locked her in the dark broom closet. She couldn’t even remember now what she’d said but he’d told her children should be seen and not heard, and until she learned that lesson, she wouldn’t be seen either. He’d shoved her into the closet and locked her in.

She’d screamed and cried and finally given up but the closet had been so tiny she couldn’t even sit on the floor. She’d found out later she’d spent four hours in the closet, but at the time it had seemed like days. Ever since then she’d hated small spaces.

Her entire body went cold, she froze, then started to fight. She couldn’t do this again. She couldn’t let him lock her up somewhere he might never let her out of.

“Whoa, easy. It’s okay, chica,” a deep rich voice that was nothing like Papá’s. The voice was calm, not enraged, soothing, not antagonizing or belittling. Something in her head seemed to click. It wasn’t walls, it was arms. They weren’t squeezing or hurting her, just there.

She stopped struggling, then opened her eyes and found herself in a bedroom maybe half the size of the one she’d grown up in. Light came in through a high window casting a warm glow across the room.

She took a deep breath and tried to hold it for a moment to calm her thundering heart but couldn’t manage it.

“You okay?” The deep voice was right beside her. She turned to find Hammer lying beside her. His dark eyes filled with concern.

Camila tried to speak but it felt like there was something stuck in her throat. She nodded.

“You sure?”

Camila nodded again, swallowed twice and tried again.

“I’m okay. I just panicked.”

“Something you want to talk about?”

She shook her head. She knew better than to tell people what happened at home. Every time she’d said something her father thought she shouldn’t have to someone he didn’t approve of, he made sure she suffered. At first he’d put hot sauce in all her food, then told her it was her mouth being punished for saying things it shouldn’t have. Another time he’d forced her to repeat ‘I will not talk about family business to outsiders’ over and over for hours. Until she’d had no voice for days afterward. The list of torments and punishments went on and on, but she wouldn’t tell him about them.

“Why are you in bed with me?” she asked instead.

“It’s the only one. We were both tired. Now it’s morning and we’re less tired.” He rolled away, then sat up. His back was covered in a large, winged skull and the words Sons of Son. Camila couldn’t help but glance down. She didn’t know if she was hoping or afraid, but she had to see. Relief swept through her when she spotted his underwear. A quick glance told her she still wore the things she’d put on after her shower.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Here.” He handed her a bottle of water, which she gratefully took. Pushing herself up to sit, she took a long drink. “From the light, I’d say it’s at least 8:00, but give me a minute.” He stood and she looked away, but not before seeing the bright ink that swirled into designs down both legs that she didn’t have time to make out before he turned around. He picked up his phone. “I was wrong. It’s almost 10:00. Shit. Didn’t think I’d sleep that long. Guess I was tired,” he said, putting the phone back down. “Let’s get dressed and head downstairs. We’ll talk to Bulldog and see where things go next.” He disappeared into the bathroom before she had a chance to say anything.

With shaking hands, she finished the bottle of water then scooted to the edge of the bed. She still sat there a moment later when he stepped out. “It’s all yours. There are new toothbrushes in the drawer, and you can use my brush if you want, but it won’t bother me if you want to wait until we can get you something of your own. I’ll get dressed and go find you something to wear. Stay here until I get back.”

Camila didn’t say anything, just nodded then went into the restroom. She didn’t have a way out but at least Hammer hadn’t hit her. He hadn’t yelled at her. He hadn’t hurt her in anyway. Not yet.

Chapter Seven

Hammer watched Camila as she stood in front of Bulldog and answered the president’s questions. She stood straight and kept her gaze lowered but he could see the fine tremble to her hands, the way she clenched her fingers until the knuckles turned white.

She was terrified but doing her best not to let it show.

“Are you lying to me?” Bulldog snarled. Hammer wanted to stop this. He wanted to tell Bulldog not to talk to her like that, but he knew better. This was a test. Hammer had seen it before. Not that Bulldog wasn’t an ass. He was an ass and more, but he wasn’t deliberately mean, especially to women, not unless he thought it was important. Though, his instincts had him wanting to shelter the tiny woman. He knew he needed to let this play out.

They were in the common room, so he knew Bulldog would be careful how far he took things, but Hammer had to remind himself to keep his mouth shut.