Context: A few days before Cathy leaves. The result of brainstorming on Skype.
The Boss
Jamie had hoped no one he knew would ever have to face the drug boss. He was starting to think he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore when the car rolled up outside the club one day.
Jamie set his jaw, preparing himself for a black eye or worse. "The hell do you want?" he asked as the boss stepped out.
"Just wanted to remind you I'm not a patient man." He was flanked by two other men in suits. "I don't like to be kept waiting."
Jamie straightened. "You'd better get. I'll call the cops."
The boss laughed. "The police wouldn't hesitate to find an excuse to put you back behind bars, Jamie. It's best if you start answering your phone. Isn't that what your mum taught you? Be polite to your elders?"
Jamie gritted his teeth. "Not interested. I gave you your money. We're done."
"We're far from done, Jamie." The boss strode forward, grabbing Jamie by the suit collar. "You've got quite a bit of money that I could use. And there's no way you're getting out of it this time."
He had him. Jamie knew he did. He couldn't call the police; they were already on his tail about the robbery and they'd definitely ask why the boss was bothering him. And he couldn't very well call for anyone, not without someone asking questions.
Go easy on me. Just make it quick.
"Jamie?"
No.
Cathy wheeled her bike forward, her eyebrows knitted together in concern. What was she doing here? She shouldn't -
He'd asked her to come over. He'd taken off early today.
Shit.
"Jamie, what...what's going on?"
"Cathy, go home." His eyes flashed; maybe he could tip her off without startling her.
"Jamie..."
"Cathy, it's fine. Just go home."
The boss looked at Cathy as if he hadn't noticed her before. "Don't worry, sweetheart." He gave her a sickening smile. "I won't hurt him, just for you."
Cathy blinked, her face turning white. "What are..."
"Best run on home. No use waiting around for him, girlie."
Jamie spat in the boss's face. "Don't you DARE speak to her that way."
The boss's jaw twitched, but he made no move to relinquish his hold. "I suggest you tell your little friend to scram. We wouldn't want her getting into an accident, would we?"
Jamie's eyes frantically shifted from the boss to Cathy. "Cathy, go. I can handle this."
"What do you want with him?" Cathy moved closer, dropping her bike on the front steps of the club.
"None of your business." The boss glared at her. "You'd be smart to leave. Unless you're..." His eyes lit up in recognition. "Jamie, how many of these do you go through? Five a week?"
Jamie felt his temper boil. Why wasn't she leaving?
"What do you want?" she asked again, her voice shaking.
"Oh, my dear, hasn't he told you? He's a druggie."
He felt her tense behind him. He didn't need to see her; he knew how she felt about this, now that she realized why these men were here.
"He...he's clean..." she said weakly.
"That may be true, but I need a favor from him." His grip tigthened. "He owes me."
Cathy, please leave. Don't get yourself into trouble.
"You know, Jamie, you've got plenty of women in your club." The boss looked over his shoulder to the men in suits, then at Cathy. "You wouldn't mind if we take this one, would you?"
Everything happened at once. Jamie's knee moved upward, and he spun around, ignoring the dull ache.
One of the men was following him. "You want a sock in the face?"
The man lunged for him, and Cathy suddenly hit him square in the jaw. Jamie pulled her back, pushing her behind him.
The boss was doubled over, the other man helping him up. "We...we aren't...finished...Jamie..." He gasped, gettiing back into the car. "I'll...I'll come back..."
"Better bring more men next time," he growled.
The boss gave them both a cold glare before the door shut. The man with the wounded jaw climbed into the driver's seat and gunned the engine. The car tore out of sight.
Jamie didn't let go of Cathy until he'd hustled her up the stairs and into his flat. He secured every lock on the door, and only then did he allow himself to feel a shred of calm.
"Jamie, what on earth -"
He drew her into his arms, holding her tight. He'd come so close to losing her. She could have been...
They could have...
And he...
"Jamie..." She broke away from his hold, guiding him to the couch.
As soon as they were seated, he dove right back in, crushing her to his chest, needing to feel her against his heart, needing to know she was there.
"I'm so sorry, Cathy...I didn't think they'd..."
"Are you still buying from them?"
"No, I'm not. They just want to cause trouble, now that I have money."
"Can I...can I trust you?"
He pulled away slightly, seeing that she was genuinely frightened. "Yes, Cathy. You can trust me."
She looked up at him, not saying anything. She finally nodded, her thumb brushing against his cheek. He hadn't even noticed he'd been crying.
"Jamie, you have to promise me you won't..." She trailed off, wiping more of his tears away.
He gently grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her, more tears streaming down his face. Breaking away, he held her to him, running his hands through her hair.
He couldn't promise anything. The boss would be back. No matter how many times he said no, he'd be back.
But he'd make sure Cathy wouldn't be here when it happened again. He wasn't going to put her in danger.
Even if it meant he'd have to face his fears alone.