Page 11 of Theirs to Corrupt
We each grab a plate, and I settle back. I have barely enough time to relax for a few minutes. “Link and Pax came in. They bought a round for the bar.”
“No shit?” She’s about to take a bite, but she pauses, hand in midair. “I don’t think they’ve ever done that before. He’s trying to impress you.”
“Me?”I laugh. “No.”
“Why else would they do it?”
“Celebrating something?”
“Sure.” She presses her lips together. “Mmm-hmm.”
“They’re not interested inme,”I promise her. “I mean, seriously. The idea is ridiculous.”
“Why not you?” she demands loyally.
“I’ve seen pictures of him and his harem.” Beautiful women. Tall. Willowy. Rich.
“And where have you seen such a thing?”
“Uhm…”
“You’ve been checking him out!”
“No! I mean…” I put down my plate and sigh. “You’re the one who told me to look him up. Remember? The first night I met them?”
She takes her bite and considers me. “And that’s the only time you googled him?”
I blush.
“Ah-ha!”
Shaking my head, I push hair back from my face.
“Theyaregorgeous. And rich.”
Without a doubt. “And scary.”
She nods, but she’s smiling.
“We’ve both had enough of that,” I remind her.
“True.”
I’m lucky to have Natalie in my life.
Months before, she escaped a brutal, controlling relationship.
When I got off the bus in Houston, I found a local women’s shelter to hide out in while I made sure I wasn’t followed.
The counselors running the place put me in touch with Marge, who didn’t ask questions or check references. Better yet, I was told she paid weekly and in cash.
Nothing comes up that she can’t handle. Rumor has it that some guy came in one night. He was strung out on meth, waving a knife, and he attempted to rob her. She grabbed the trusty sawed-off shotgun that she keeps behind the bar and blasted a hole in the floor right next to where he was standing. Then she calmly went back to pouring a cold Bud.
Not only did she take me under her wing, she introduced me to Natalie and suggested I move in with her.
Because Nat had some credit, she had found an apartment. It’s not in the best area of town, but we have somewhere to call home.
Marge is part heroine, part savior, always looking out for us.