Chapter 2
A little later, the SONS come in and I immediately take them their coffees. "Thanks Sweetheart." the President says. "What's your name?" he asked me. "Vanna." I say simply. "I'm Lee, this is Donut, Lorca and Kozik." he tells me. "Nice to meet you guys. Let me know if you need anything else." I say before walking back to the counter. I see Koz watching me so I just keep my head down hoping he'll stop. A little later, the guys leave and my shift is over.
Walking outside, Koz is waiting. I try to walk past him and he asks "Can we talk?" I stop and look at him and don't say anything. "Why won't you let me take you out?" he asked. "I don't go out." I tell him. "It have anything to do with the bruises on your throat?" he asked and I pull my coat tighter. "I better go. Have a good night." I tell him and try to walk away. He grabs my arm gently and asks "Someone hurting you?" I shake my head no and say "I really have to go." He lets me go and I run the rest of the way home.
Walking into the door, mom walks up and says "You're late." I don't look up but say "It took a few minutes before I could get out of there." I tell her. "Where's your money?" she asked. I hand it to her and she says "That's better." I walk to my room and shower and get into bed. A little later, her boyfriend, George, comes in to have his way with me again. I try to fight him off and he punches me in the face causing me to fall limp while he forces himself on me again.
The next morning, I get up and put some makeup on to cover the bruise on my face before heading to work. Walking in, my boss looks at me and sees my face and says "I'll keep you in the kitchen today." I shake my head and say "I need the tips." He asks me "Are you sure?" I nod my head and he tells me to go ahead. I am wiping down the counter when the SONS walk in. I ask Carrie to take their coffee to them and see Koz looking at me concerned. He gets up and walks to the counter. "You gonna tell me who's handy work that is?" I don't look at him and say "I'm fine Koz." before I start rolling silverware. He just sits there and watches me. I stop and look at him and say "I'm fine." He shakes his head and walks back to the table where the rest of the SONS look over at me.
My shift ends and I head home and see all four SONS sitting there waiting on me. Lee speaks up and says "Who hit you?" Lee asks. "I'm okay Lee. Promise." I say trying to walk away. Lorca grabs my arm and I cower away and pull away from him. Koz looks at me and walks over to me and asks "Who are you trying to protect?" I just shake my head and say "I really have to get home." Koz says "Not until you tell me who hurt you." I look at him and say "I really need to get home. Please." I say. They let me walk away and I run home.
Walking into the house, mom says "You're late again." I look down and say "I'm sorry." and I hand her my tips. She lets me go to my room and just like the night before, her boyfriend comes into my room again. I don't fight him this time so that I don't get hit again. He finishes and walks out of the room leaving me to cry myself to sleep.
The next day is payday. I walk in to get my check and my boss hands it to me in cash and I head back out the door since it's my day off. I walk home and hand mom my check. She takes it and walks out the door to go find her dealer. She leaves me home with her boyfriend. He's passed out drunk already so maybe he will leave me alone tonight.
Sitting in my room, there's a knock on the door. I run to the door to make sure it doesn't wake George up. I open it to see Koz standing there. Stepping out so that it doesn't wake George, I ask "What are you doing here?" He looks at me and says "I wanted to check on you." I shake my head and say "I told you I'm fine. You have to go. Please." I almost beg. "Why?" he asked. "Just please, go Koz. Please." I say. All of a sudden, the door opens and George asks "Who's this fucker?" I turn to George and say "He's just leaving. Please let's go back inside." I tell George. "No. Who's this?" George asks. "He's just a customer." I say and George grabs my arm and tells me "Get in the fucking house." and slings me towards the door. "Don't fucking touch her." Koz says as he pins George to the wall. "Koz please. Just go." I beg. "Get your things. You're coming with me." Koz tells me while holding George by the throat. I walk inside and pack my things up and walk back out the door. Everything I have fits in one duffle bag. "Go to the bike and wait for me sweetheart." Koz says. I do as he says and he tells George "You come near her again, I'll slit your Goddamn throat." He let's George go and walks over to the bike. Getting on, he puts his helmet on my head while I have my duffle bag on my back and I get on behind him and he takes off.
