Hello to all my wonderful readers and supporters :) I would like to dedicate this chapter to denisanoemi1, guests Rebecca & Chloe, and finally one amazing girl I've met on this site, she has quite a talent, ExtraordinaryTogether. Thanks to all of you, I have kept writing. I appreciate you all so so much and don't know what I'd do without your kind words or encouragement. I can assure you all that this chapter is pretty heated, but I hope you guys like it. If I can make my readers feel something, I know I'm doing my job. Leave me some reviews and let me know what you think of this new installment of Black & Blue. Enjoy, everyone 3 :)

Norma tossed and turned all night long, she probably only got an hour of sleep. Alex kept racing through her mind. She scolded herself, how could she have not seen this sooner? He was always there to protect her, he defended her, and he always looked at her with those kind, brown eyes. Was Alex attractive? Yes. Was he a good man? Of course. Was she sure her suspicion was correct? No. She decided that if he really liked her, he would make a move on her. When a man truly cares for a woman, they would do anything to make them their's, right? She smiled to herself as she got out of bed. If she was right, Alex must have felt a searing jealousy whenever George was around. She chuckled aloud. Alex Romero jealous.

As Norma made her way down the stairs that morning, the smell of bacon filled her nose. When she appeared in the kitchen, she found Dylan at the stove, sure enough he was cooking bacon and eggs. Norma smiled.

"What's all this?" she giggled.

"Eh, nothing, I just decided to make you breakfast" he gave her a warm, half-smile.

"Isn't that sweet" she said, her breath in her throat.

Dylan hadn't done anything this sweet for her in a long time, besides finding Norman that is. Where was he anyway? No, Dylan deserved her full attention. Wherever Norman was, he was probably fine.

"It's not problem" he said, handing her a full plate.

She hugged him tight and kissed his cheek.

She took a place at the table, but looked up at him with a confused face when she saw there wasn't a second place setting.

"Aren't you eating?" she asked, her eyebrows knitted.

"Actually, I need to talk to my boss, we are having some problems with business and have to come up with an idea of how to fix it. Apparently, I'm the only one who can help" he sighed, putting on his jacket, dropping a kiss on her head, and heading into the hallway.

"Thank you for breakfast, honey" she said, a smile on her lips.

"Your welcome, mom" he replied before heading out.

She raised a forkful of eggs to her mouth, she was about to eat them, until George's words popped into her mind. Chunky. If she was chunky she shouldn't eat so much grease, right? She got up and scraped the food off her plate and into the trash can.


When she headed into the front office for work, she found a file on the desk. There was a post it note plastered on top of it. She peeled it off and read it.

"Norma, I was an asshole last night. I'm sorry. If you want to read this, you can, I suggest you do. If not, just leave it in my room. The money attached is for my stay, I'll be back later to get my stuff out of the motel" - Alex

She folded the post it and slipped it in her pocket. She took the money from the file and placed it in the cash drawer. She sighed. Alex was leaving? His house couldn't have been re-built this quick. Truthfully, she liked having him stay at the motel, she had quicker access to safety. If he was leaving, she'd have to be on her guard all the time again.

She hesitated before reaching back into the file. When she pulled out the paper, her eyes drifted to the name at the top of the page. George Heldens. She emitted a nervous breath at the thought of his possible crimes. She read anxiously.

"George Heldens, tried for domestic abuse, all charges dropped"

She placed the paper down and shook her head.

Domestic abuse? That explains the violence and rude words. She thought he was bi-polar. Reading about his past abuse and offences, made her scared. She thought then, what if she brought it up to George? Maybe if he knew that she was aware of his criminal past, he would try to fix himself. She was still curious about why the charges were dropped. She figured that the Heldens were wealthy, they could have easily paid his ex wife off, warning her not to say anything that would land George in jail.

Just then, her phone buzzed, it was a text from George.

"Can I come by tonight? Say around 9?" he asked.

She okay-ed his visit. When she saw him tonight, she would simply call him on his violent past, and he would be more cautious of how he treated her. She knew deep down, George was a good guy who wanted to take care of her, make her life better. George would improve and then they would have a happy relationship.


When 9 came around, Norma was anxiously awaiting him outside. She sat on the motel patio furniture thinking, as his visit got closer, she became more and more apprehensive. She kept thinking about how she was going to bring it up to him, how she would address it. Then again, it was just George, what was the worst he could do? Yell and walk out? Suddenly, headlights interrupted her deep thinking, it was George. He stepped out of his car and walked up to her. She rose and dropped a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, how are you? How was your day?" she asked charmingly, she wanted to make sure he was in a good mood before bringing anything up.

"It was good, I got a raise" he smiled and dropped another kiss on her lips.

"Congratulations!" she announced cheerfully. He was bound to be in a good state of mind now.

"Thank you, baby" he said kissing her neck, his finger already undoing the top button on her floral dress.

"Um, George...can we talk for a minute, in the office?" she asked, nerves going to battle in the pit of her stomach.

"Sure. Did I do something wrong?" he asked confused.

"Just come with me" she said, taking his hand and leading him into the office.

She took a deep breath and locked eyes with him.

"What is it?" he asked, obviously getting impatient.

"Remember how you told me about your ex-wife?" she asked, grasping any amount of confidence she could.

"Yeah. Why?" he asked, his tone already becoming cold.

"George...did you used to hit her?" she asked quietly, easing into the question.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" he asked loudly, moving so he was inches away from her face.

"I'm asking if you used to hit your ex-wife?" she asked, her voice gaining more volume as her frustration grew.

"How dare you!" he screamed, his face red.

She was about to open her mouth, but before she could say anything, he slapped her hard, across the face.

She started to stumble a bit, before he grabbed her arms, his fingernails digging into her skin, leaving bloody red marks.

She squeaked in pain.

"George, stop!" she yelled.

He hit her again, her cheek bright red.

"I should have figured you'd try to pull shit! Your a bitch!" he roared, fire in his pupils, dark undertones in his voice.

She trembled as she felt wet streaks falling down her face.

"Weak little bitch!" he yelled, punching her in the ribs.

She doubled over in pain, falling to the floor.

"Fucking whore!" he yelled, kicking her in the same place.

She gained enough strength to speak.

"Stop!" she screamed, her voice hoarse, laced with pain and anguish, her hands blocking her ribs.

He gave her a nasty look, and kicked her once more, this time in her back, right near her spine, she writhed in pain.

He spewed something nasty before slamming the door behind him.

She crawled under the desk, hiding in case he came back, she waited until she heard his engine roar and leave the parking lot before sobbing.


Alex was in room 9 when he heard a car door slam, and race away from the motel. He stepped outside then, a box full of his belongings in his arms. Something halted him as he began walking to his SUV. Crying, more like wailing. He dropped the box immediately when he figured it was Norma. He raced to the motel office. He swung the door open. Hearing her cry was torture to him, like his heart was being shattered into a million pieces. He figured it was George's car that sped off, they must have gotten into an argument. He didn't see her but he heard her, he walked closer to the back office, but soon found her under the desk. Her body was curled up like an infant. Her face streaming with tears and a bit of blood. He felt searing pain all throughout his body, Norma was in pain, she was bleeding, bruised, and trembling.

"Norma" he said softly, his comforting voice filling her ears.

He got down on his knees and looked at her. She lifted her head up, making eye contact with him. She cried, shaking her head silently before moving into his arms. He cleared the matted hair out of her face and clutched her tighter to his chest.

"Shh, it's okay Norma, I'm right here" he whispered, he leaned against the motel wall, her still shaking in his arms.

"I'm not going anywhere, I promise"