Page 13 of Fighting My Demons

“Good, I will come with you,” he says, grabbing my shoulder painfully and jamming his fingers into the pressure point, making me hiss.

I shove him off as I jerk away from him. I mentally curse myself, realizing my mistake as he hits the counter in the kitchen. His hand moves so quickly, and I blink before feeling his palm hit me in the side of the face. My ear is ringing, having copped most of the blow, the slap making my skin burn.

“Ever try that again, and I will put you six feet under alongside Dad,” he says through gritted teeth while I rub my ear. “Understood, Bella?”

I nod.

“See the things you do? Why do you make me hurt you? You know I have a temper,” he says, pulling me to him.

He smells faintly of whiskey. I can smell it on his shirt, like he spilled it on himself.

“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to,” I tell him as he pulls me to him.

“There, there, sis. You know I love you,” he says, pressing his filthy lips to my head.

I fight the urge to cringe away, knowing it will anger him more.

“I will meet you at your car. Go grab your keys,” he says, turning me toward the door.

I fight back the tears, taking deep breaths as I walk out of my apartment. Brian, on my heels, following me down the steps, and I walk to the small building off the side of the apartment block. Brian wanders off to my car, knowing my landlord doesn’t like him here.

Walking over to the small gray brick building, I open the blue door, pushing inside to see Xavier talking to Jack, the owner of the apartment block. Jack looks over at me and smiles before his smile falters when he peers behind me, looking into the parking lot.

“Bella, what did I say about him being here?” Jack says.

Jack is in his forties and a great landlord and probably the only person other than Taylor and Addie I consider a friend.

“Sorry, Jack. I'm just getting rid of him. I just need my keys,” I tell him before grabbing them off Xavier, who is looking at me, but I refuse to meet his eyes or Jack's.

“Bella, do you need me to call the police?” Jack says.

I shake my head, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment. This can't be happening.

“No, he is leaving now, Jack. Sorry about this,” I tell him, turning to walk out.

“You know this man?” Jack asks.

I wasn’t lying when I said he doesn’t like male tenants, especially young ones. Not that he is young. Xavier looks to be in his thirties, but that definitely isn’t old, either.

“Yes, from work,” I answer, still not looking at Xavier, but I can feel his eyes boring into me.

“Would you vouch for him and his two friends? Are they good people and won’t destroy the place?”

I swallow. I barely know him, but they don’t look like troublemakers. Do I really want them living in the same apartment block as me, and why would they? It isn't exactly a resort over here; the place isn’t bad, but I just can't picture Latham wanting to live in an apartment like mine.

Chapter Eight

I sigh, looking at Xavier, who is still watching me with a dark expression. Will he be pissed off if I say no? I barely know them. Yet the look on his face makes my stomach knot when I realize he isn’t looking at me, but past me at my brother.

“Yes, they would be good tenants,” I tell him, hoping that is true.

Jack is forgiving when it comes to my brother, but I don’t think he would be forgiving if he gets a huge damage bill from them, not that I think they would destroy the place. I hope not, anyway. I nod to Jack and turn toward the door.

“Bella, he needs to go. I don’t want him here after last time,” Jack warns.

I nod to him, pushing the door open and rushing out and over to my brother, who is waiting impatiently. He starts walking over to me angrily.

“That pissy landlord better not have called the cops on me,” he snaps at me.