Let the Rain Come Down

To each and every one of you, especially those that left such lovely reviews and messages, I say thank you for sticking with me and with this story.

The next chapter is well underway. No promises, but I'll try for next week.

Disclaimer: All characters owned and created by Stephenie Meyer.

This chapter is unbeta'ed – any errors are mine and I apologise in advance.

~o.O.o~

Chapter 14

Jasper's POV

Working the late shift in February meant a long walk home in sub-zero temperatures. Edward flat-out forbade it, insisting I take the bus home to protect my health. I knew better than to argue, but I didn't want to let on that if I couldn't make it outside quick smart when my shift ended I could have a long wait for the next bus. I didn't want to worry Edward, so I layered warm clothes to stave off the chill and left it at that.

He still worried, though, I knew he did, but keeping warm was the best thing I could do with no other solution to the travel issue. I was just happy to have a fiancé who cared, and a chest that was so much stronger since the second round of treatment.

The one thing I wanted, the one thing I kept searching the stock for every day, was a new coat for Edward. He needed to tuck his scarf inside his sweater and down across his collar bones to prevent the cold burning through to his chest where the coat sagged low. Although he had increased muscle from working at the market, he would always have a narrow, compact frame and needed a good jacket like mine that zipped right up to the chin. He had tried mine on before, and I reckoned if I could find something similar it would work.

Maybe lightning would strike twice. I could only hope.

~o.O.o~

The afternoon was flying by. I had gotten the hang of the cash register and was ringing up purchases whilst chatting to customers about their day. I had soon discovered that some folk liked a little back and forth while they waited and I was happy to oblige. Handing the lady her change, I thanked her and prepared to start ringing through the next stack of items when a voice sent me into a tailspin, my pulse racing.

"Working two jobs now, huh?"

(Hey, Blondie, you're just what I need today)

I glanced up, desperate to remain impassive, but inside a surge of adrenalin burned through my system.

"No, just the one."

The guy's face was shrewd, aware of the people around us who could hear the exchange. He looked eerily confident.

I felt a sickly cold sweat prickle along my back.

"The money must be good here then."

(This is gonna be hard and fast, so brace yourself, boy. I ain't in any mood to be gentle)

I didn't answer. My hands reached for his items, fumbling and awkward, aware that I had frozen. My carefree smile and easy chatter had died. Stomach acid burned my chest. The sounds in the store had faded away, leaving the two of us in a silent bubble. I looked up at his face again.

"That's eleven dollars, sir." He paused before holding out the cash to me. I took the bills and counted out his change, pushing it across the counter. His calculating eyes never stopped watching, watching. He scrunched up the bag handles in one fist, pausing.

I just wanted him gone.

With a knowing smile, he turned and left. Just like that, the sounds of the store swam back into my ears. I felt lightheaded, not realising I'd held my breath until he turned away. Forcing myself to concentrate, I carried on serving, finding my, albeit now rather forced, smile again for the next in line.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Elise frowning.

~o.O.o~

Ashleigh covered the register while I headed to the break room and poured myself a cup of coffee. My hands were still a little shaky from the encounter, and I berated myself. I had always known it was a possibility, someone from my past cropping up in my new life. It was just that out of all my old customers, there were plenty who would never have said a word, would have ducked their head, been polite, and left, not wanting our liaisons to ever be discovered.

I respected that attitude. Our transactions were illegal, and more often than not a betrayal of trust in a marriage.

When I felt calmer, I made my way back out to the shop floor. I wasn't sure if it was just paranoia, but a couple of colleagues looked down when I glanced over at them, and there were the whispers that stopped dead when I was close by. Perhaps they were just talking about work, but a part of me knew that wasn't the case and I felt uncomfortable at being the subject of gossip.

Once we were closed for the night, I grabbed my coat and headed for the door, feeling the weight of eyes on my retreating back.

"Jasper?"

It was Emmett.

I turned, and he cocked his head towards his office. Once inside, Emmett closed the door.

"We need to have a talk, Jasper. Elise came to see me. What happened out there earlier?"

I swallowed.

"I'm sorry, sir. One of my former… associates… came in and decided to challenge me. He was clearly trying to find out if I was still working. I told him I had just the one job now." I looked at Emmett, hoping he understood how difficult this was for me. "I'm so sorry. I just froze for a minute. I think some of the others noticed. He took me by surprise and I wasn't sure how to react."

Emmett nodded. "I get that it must've been difficult. The staff here don't know anything about you and I'm afraid a couple of witnesses may have jumped to their own conclusions."

I wilted.

"So they think… what? That he's my dealer?" My head sagged.

"Don't worry. I called them both in earlier this afternoon and shut this down before it had a chance to spread. They've been here long enough to realise that idle gossip about their fellow workers isn't right or fair when most here are trying to make new starts themselves. It's easy for people to judge, and I reminded them how they felt back when they were new."

I nodded, feeling crushed. I'd hoped to get along with everyone as best I could, not become the subject of gossip and speculation. What if one of them guessed the truth? Several of them had been in trouble with the law, but I hadn't and I wanted it to stay that way. If word got out, Edward and I would have no choice but to relocate to escape the inevitable misery and judgement. We'd both struggle to find new jobs. My stomach lurched at the thought of us starting over with nothing. I couldn't bear to go backwards – not now.

Emmett read me easily.

"Keep your head up and don't rise to any provocation. This will pass once you've bedded in. You're a good worker, Jasper, and Elise speaks well of you. Keep it up."

He walked over to the office door and showed me out. I nodded my thanks and headed for the staff exit, my heart heavy.

~o.O.o~

The staff parking lot was almost empty now, only Elise's and Emmett's cars in their usual spots. I heard the door open behind me, their cheerful voices shouting goodnight to each other. Elise's small car rattled to life, her lights illuminating the path ahead of me until she drove past and plunged me back into the gloom.

The next bus wasn't for some time. I pulled up my collar and contemplated braving Edward's ban and walking home via the market. I could meet him rather than hang about in the bitter wind for what could be an hour or more. Right on cue, the wind howled between the buildings. Tightening my scarf, I sighed. Setting off towards the stop to sit and wait, I stepped into the alley between Goodwill's parking lot and the loading bay for the fast food joints just down the street.

Then I heard it.

The scuff of boots in the dark ahead of me.

And a familiar voice.

"So, Blondie – decided you're too good for the likes of me now, huh?"

My breath came hard, my chest tight with shock.

"I think you need reminding of your place." I heard the hiss of a cigarette before the butt was ground under a boot, the exhaled smoke coiling into the darkness.

I could make out the shape of the guy blocking my way out, his hand reaching into his pocket.

"I got sixty bucks here that says I get to screw your tight ass, no questions asked, and you're going to take my money. Agreed?"

I knew I should tell him to get out, that I wasn't that person anymore, that I didn't need his money. I wanted to swear at him for daring to approach me here where we could be overheard and spotted. The truth was I wasn't in the headspace needed to cope with the job. I wasn't Blondie. Here, I was Jasper – Goodwill employee, dressed for warmth and decency, not illegal backstreet sex.

My voice held an edge of fear. I lost any leverage I might have had in that moment.

"I've got regular work now and I don't do that anymore. Please just let me pass. There are others that can cater to your needs."

As Blondie, I was equipped to cope with this, whereas now I was holding it together in the face of real danger. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to burn that bridge, to tell him to get the fuck out of my face. I still had a very real fear deep down that someday I might need his money because losers like Blondie couldn't really change for the better.

His voice was mocking.

"You're refusing me? What, my cash isn't good enough now? Think you're better than the likes of me?" I could feel his anger rising and choked back my fear when he lunged toward me.

"Let me tell you something, kid. You're nothing - just a hustler - and that's all you'll ever be. Don't fool yourself that you can change. You'll be back, and the money on offer will be less than this. Then you'll regret refusing my generosity."

He waved the bills in his fist and I tried not to flinch, to show weakness, but my heart was pounding, iron bars squeezing my lungs.

"Maybe that's true, and I'm grateful for every dollar I've earned, but I'm making changes in my life. Now, I need to get home."

He scoffed.

"Changes! You're nothing but a tight piece of ass. You should be on your knees right now showing your appreciation."

Enough. I made to pass him, my head held high, hoping my feigned confidence would make him back off.

Wrong.

His hand grabbed my arm, pulling me off balance and slamming my face into the brick wall. He body pinned me in place, one hand scrabbling for the bottom of my coat, yanking it up so he could reach around. I struggled, trying to stop the fingers that tugged at my belt, the buckle loosening with a sharp pull. In that moment, I saw Edward in my mind, terrified and alone at the hands of his rapists, and knew with crystal clarity that the same was about to happen to me. Fighting to breathe, I wrenched my arm free and forced my elbow back as hard as I could, trying to twist around and gain some leverage to escape. A rough hand grabbed my throat a second before a knee found my solar plexus twice with blunt, practised force. I collapsed, fighting for air.

Dragging me upright, my body compliant as a rag doll, he ran his hand down until he found the button fastening to my jeans, tugging them down in a bunch with my underwear until they were wadded around my thighs. My breathing noisy, I tightened every muscle in my body, determined to make this as difficult for him as possible, but then he breathed in my ear.

"The tighter you make it, the more I like it. Plus, no lube."

The fight left me then. I'd lost. This was going to happen and it was going to fucking hurt. I knew then for absolute certain that if this ever came out, no one would believe me either. A prostitute crying rape? What a joke.

Then came the words that pierced my brain like railroad spikes.

"No condom this time; I'm going bareback. This'll be fucking spectacular."

I jerked my head back and forth, frantic and desperate.

"No, no, please don't….please…"

"Oh yeah! I'm calling the shots this time, kid. No charge, and no condom. 'Bout time I got a freebie."

I'm so sorry, Edward. I promised you I'd never take that risk.

His hands gripped my hips, fingers digging into my skin for a moment before I heard his zipper. My legs were immobilised by my own clothing.

"Stop! Please don't do this…" My chest felt ragged and raw. "Stop!"

He was so much stronger than me and I wondered how I'd ever managed to control him and others like him for so long. Everything I had done had led to this. I was powerless and had no one else to blame but myself.

With no warning, he forced two thick fingers inside me and I screamed in pain. He grunted, his free hand finding my throat and squeezing my windpipe. With my chest already tight, my lungs all but empty, spots blossomed behind my lids. Real terror consumed me in that moment and I wondered if he planned on more than rape. He pulled his fingers out of my ass and wedged himself between my legs, holding them apart with his knees as far as my clothes would allow, his hands gripping my ass cheeks. Gasping air into my bruised throat, dizzy and disoriented, I tried to zone out, to escape to a place where I couldn't feel anything. I tried to become Blondie again, tried to pretend to make it alright, tried so hard that the world spun, but I couldn't.

I was choking on my own fear.

"Get the fuck away from him, right now!"

The voice rang out in the darkness, footsteps thundering down the alley and suddenly there was Emmett, bearing down on us, a torch shining straight at my attacker. The guy stumbled back and I heard him curse under his breath and fumble with his clothing.

"What's your problem, dude? We're just having a bit of business here. Nothing for you to be concerned with."

I struggled to pull up my jeans, my stomach protesting, until I was decent. It was then that I slid to the ground, my vision swimming. I heard swearing and the dull crack of breaking bone. The guy stumbled back, pawing at his nose.

Emmett loomed over him.

"If your wife asks you what happened, you tell her you were trying to buy sex on the street with a young guy. I'm sure she'll be understanding while she packs her bags. Now get the fuck out of here. I ever see you again and I tell the cops that I caught you assaulting and raping this man. I'm sure your friends, your employer, will be interested to know what you do in your spare time."

He was snarling. The guy didn't argue. I could see that Emmett towered over him by a good six inches even if he couldn't, the light blinding him. Emmett was easily able to back up his threats. The guy ran. I wanted to cry with relief.

Emmett knelt down to check me over, whispering in case the guy lurked within earshot.

"Jasper? It's Emmett. Can you hear me? Are you okay? Do you know where you are?"

I mumbled in the affirmative and he cursed with relief.

"Thank fuck for that. Can you stand?"

Shock was setting in and I felt myself drifting and falling.

"Jasper? Jasper! Stay with me! Come on – let's get you to a hospital."

"Noooo…" My words were slurring, but I knew that hospital couldn't happen. "Edward…"

Emmett picked me up and carried me towards his car.

"I'll get you to him. Where is he?"

I managed to mumble the address before everything went black.

~o.O.o~

When I came to, we were parked outside our building. I lay on the back seat, feeling sick, the dull pain in my abdomen reminding me of the beating I'd taken. I coughed and groaned, my hands trying to hold my body together somehow.

"You're back." Emmett sounded deeply concerned. "You've been unconscious for several minutes. Please let me take you to the hospital once Edward gets here. You could be concussed. We don't have to get the police involved. I can tell the doctor you were jumped on the way home and I found you. A police report would have nothing to go on."

I knew he was right, but the fear of going to a hospital, the cost alone… I thought about asking Emmett to take us to the doctor I had seen before for pleurisy. At least they wouldn't charge and no one would find out. The whole episode had happened so fast. I'd never thought it would happen to me because men like him were regulars, and I knew what they liked and how they liked it. I knew there was no respect, but I had thought there was a mutual understanding. I was so fucking naïve. Now I was frightened, plain and simple. Frightened of what waited for me in the dark.

Emmett looked up, seeing movement outside. "Is that Edward over there in the long coat and hat?"

I pushed myself up onto an elbow, groaning, and nodded, feeling a wave of relief that he was here.

Emmett waited until Edward was almost at the car before opening the door and calling out.

"Edward? Hi – I'm Emmett. I'm Jasper's boss?"

I heard his hesitant response.

"Uhh hi. Did you give him a lift or something?"

Emmett lowered his voice. "You better get in and we can talk privately. Plus it's a helluva lot warmer in here."

I called out to reassure him, the words raspy through my bruised airways.

"Edward? Edward, it's okay. I'm in the back. I don't feel so good."

"Jasper?" I heard his panic then, his face peering in at the window before he tugged open the door to reach me. He ripped off his gloves and stuffed them in his pockets before tenderly touching my face. "What's wrong with your voice? You're bruised. Why are you hurt? What happened? Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?"

I took a hitching breath and his face contorted with concern at my obvious discomfort.

"A former customer of mine came to the store today. He took exception to me finding new employment." I tried to smile, wanting to hide the worst of it.

In the dim light of the car, I saw Edward's eyes widen. "He beat you up? Where? How?"

I swallowed. "He waited in the dark for me to leave and confronted me in the alley behind Goodwill. He didn't like my refusal and kicked me in the stomach."

Edward sucked in a breath. "How did your face get scraped? What aren't you telling me?"

I looked at Emmett who returned my gaze without comment. I hated airing my past in front of my employer like this, but after what he had witnessed, I guess there was little left to hide. I wanted Edward's comforting arms around me to make it all go away.

"He… he offered me money, the usual amount. I said no. He got really mad at that. He said... he said I was nothing more than a worthless hustler and I should be grateful. He threw me against the wall. He said he wasn't taking no for an answer and it was going to be a freebie because he'd earned it."

I could feel Edward shaking, his increased breathing a sure sign of his rising panic. I held his hands.

"I tried to fight him off but he kicked me in the stomach and grabbed my throat." Edward whimpered then, and I hated causing him more pain. "He shoved me up against the bricks and told me that if I tried to deny him it would just make it better for him. He would hurt me and enjoy it. He said…" I didn't want to tell him, but I knew I had to. "He said he was going bareback. I freaked out. I mean, there's no going back after that – it can't be undone. Then he pinned me to the wall and… and pulled down my pants…"

Edward sat back, shaking his head, silently mouthing 'no, no, no'. I squeezed his hands tight.

"Please, love. It's okay, it's okay. He hurt me, but, thanks to Emmett, he didn't…"

Edward sobbed and dragged me into his arms. His muffled words against my neck exposed his true fear.

"Swear to me he didn't rape you. Swear he didn't…"

"He didn't, I swear. I think Emmett broke his nose which kinda changed his mind about it. Well, that and the colourful threats helped."

Wiping his eyes on his sleeve like a young child, he gazed at Emmett with gratitude written all over his face.

"You rescued him? Thank you. Thank you so much. Saying it doesn't seem enough somehow. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Emmett shook his head, holding up his unblemished hand.

"I'm fine. I'm just sorry I didn't get there sooner. I kept Jasper back after closing and so I'm responsible for him being out there after everyone else had gone. But if you really want to thank me, persuade him to come to the hospital for a check-up in case those kicks did any internal damage. He passed out and I'm guessing he has a concussion." He looked at me then, barely controlling the pain with each slight movement. "I may have to insist, Jasper. You're in pain. Your insurance will cover the cost. Trust me."

Emmett's intense face made me look away, a scolded puppy under its master's gaze.

"I-I don't want to talk to the police. I just want to let it go and move past it."

I saw Edward's worried eyes, wet and filled with fear and memories he wanted to forget. I wanted that for him too and dragging this out would only make it harder for him. His attackers were never caught because no one had believed him. The incident had never been reported. The doctors had believed he was a hustler who went with the wrong john and deserved what he got.

Reaching forward, wincing in discomfort, I pulled Edward into my arms and held him, uncaring right then if it might make Emmett uncomfortable. All that mattered in that moment was holding Edward together when he was in danger of falling apart. His arms wrapped around me, a warm cocoon away from the world.

Pulling back a fraction, I looked into his soul for a long moment, before turning to Emmett.

My voice was rough. "Okay. Let's go to the hospital." I leant in to press a soft kiss to Edward's lips and he sagged in relief.

"Finally, he sees sense." Emmett shook his head and started the engine.

Tucked into Edward's side, I closed my eyes.

~o.O.o~

The hospital was bright and harsh. Every part of me wanted to run, to go somewhere less conspicuous where the conclusions they jumped to just by looking at me were most likely the right ones.

Here, despite support from Edward and Emmett, I would have to lie to keep my past dead and buried. The terror of being arrested for prostitution kept me on a knife edge of panic that escalated every minute we waited. I wanted to hold Edward's hand and never let go, but fear of a backlash from other patients had me keeping my hands to myself. Edward kept his arm around my shoulders to support me while I struggled not to tense my sore stomach muscles.

Edward filled in the forms again, the key difference this time being my official, reputable employment. Emmett explained the medical insurance and together we completed the whole wretched thing. A harassed-looking nurse called me through and Edward came with me. I looked around and signalled to Emmett to come too and he followed without argument.

The doctor checked my head and confirmed no concussion, prescribing analgesics and rest. My stomach was tender and dark, ugly bruising had begun to form. Despite my hissed intake of breath at each touch, tests revealed I was lucky not to have incurred any internal injuries. The relief was huge. My throat would be sore for a while until the bruising subsided.

Questions were asked about my condition and the obvious attack injuries. Emmett explained that I was on the verge of losing consciousness when he found me in the alley and brought me in. No, there was no way he could have seen the perpetrator in the darkness. Yes, they had tried to steal my wallet but had run off when he arrived. No, there was no evidence to suggest the identity of the attacker other than he was male. Yes, it was a dreadful thing to have happened. No, we hadn't reported it to the police because as we had said, there was nothing to tell them. Perhaps outside lights should be installed in the alley? Emmett agreed that this was overdue and confirmed he would make the suggestion to his superiors.

Hours later, once we were back in the comfort of Emmett's car away from prying eyes and flapping ears, we all relaxed.

"Jasper, you're to stay home until the light headedness and stomach pain passes. Keep sipping water for your throat. I'll check in with you in a couple of days to see how you're doing. Now," he checked that Edward had the small packet of pills, "make sure you rest and take your meds. Agreed?"

I nodded, sleepy again now that I was in a warm, dark and comfortable place.

"Don't worry, Emmett – I'll take good care of him. We can't thank you enough for your kindness." Edward was struggling to find a way to convey the gratitude we both felt in that moment. I found my voice to make the apology I knew was due.

"Emmett, I'm so sorry for what you witnessed. My former 'career' is not something I share with folks as you know. To see what you did, I can't begin to tell you how embarrassed and ashamed I feel. I don't mean I'm ashamed of how I kept myself fed, but how it must've looked to you… I'm so sorry."

Emmett looked astounded.

"You're actually apologising to me because I found you being attacked and screaming for help? Jasper, if I had stumbled upon you tonight during one of your consensual 'business transactions', I would've been appalled, yes, but because I know it would've meant you had no other choice. I told you at your interview that I don't how you did that for so long and stayed so strong. I knew from your posture back then that you hated it, but it was the only way you had to make ends meet. Am I making sense?"

I nodded.

"I hated what I did, but it was better, to me at least, to sell myself rather than steal. Neither is legal, but it helped me sleep at night."

Edward's face was nestled in my neck and I knew he understood.

"And I'm glad you're okay about Edward and me. Not everyone is so understanding, as I'm sure you appreciate."

He smiled. "Hey – you love who you love. It chooses you, and I have to say that you guys look very happy together. Wish I could find a girl to look at me the way you two look at each other."

He sounded a little down. I frowned.

"I thought you had a girlfriend – there was a picture on your desk, I remember. You and a beautiful blonde woman?"

His face brightened. "You saw that? That's my sister, well half-sister. She's a mechanic and owns her own business. I love cars too, so we tend to get pretty dirty when we're working on a project together."

"Hale Autos." I smiled. "I get it now."

Emmett beamed.

Edward's forehead wrinkled in thought. He lifted his head.

"This might sound odd, but it's been bugging me. Do you have a dog? I'm sure I've seen you at Happy Tails. I could be wrong, I mean I'm not usually around when owners come to collect them at the end of the day."

His eyes lit up then.

"You work there? You must be one of Buster's walkers! I hope he doesn't give you any trouble. He's a good boy on the lead with me."

Edward smiled, his whole face softening. "Buster's so much fun – full of energy and always ready to go! I try and wear him out – he usually has a drink and falls asleep when we get back. How long have you had him?"

"I found him in a shelter a little over a year ago. Love at first sight – he knew a sucker when he saw one! I needed a companion and he's such a happy little soul. He didn't even need much training. No idea why someone gave him up, but it was a good thing for me. He seems to really like it there while I'm at work."

Edward nodded. "He does. Alice has all the small dogs out to play together inside when it's really wet out. It's canine chaos! All you can hear are barks, panting and laughter."

Emmett blushed at the name, and I looked at Edward to see if he'd noticed. He raised an eyebrow at me. He then pushed it a little more.

"Alice loves the little dogs the most. She really likes playtime with them. I can't imagine why that girl is single – she's awesome, gorgeous and an animal lover. Straight men in Chicago must be blind. I'd love to see her happy. Maybe this year will bring her better luck. Don't tell her I said that though – she'd be so embarrassed if she knew I was talking about her."

Watching Emmett blush harder and duck his head told us that the message had been received and understood.

When Emmett drove away, Edward helped me inside.

"What Emmett doesn't know is Alice talks about him. I didn't know who he was until today. She tries to be subtle, but she gets really nervous when he's due to come and pick up Buster. Massive crush going on there and I think it's mutual, don't you?"

I snuggled into him.

"I think you're the best cupid ever. Two people might just get to be as happy as we are because of you."

"If they're really, really lucky." He held me close and I knew I was home.

~o.O.o~

After eating our simple meal, we lay in bed, Edward glued to my side. He watched me, sensing something was going on. In light of what had happened today, I felt it was time he heard something important, something I'd never told anyone before. I took a deep breath.

"I need to explain something. I didn't want to tell you before because… well, you weren't in the right place to hear it then. I wanted to protect you from the worst of it. Tonight has shown me that I need to be completely open with you. Tonight wasn't the first time I was almost…"

I stroked his face, seeing fear flower in his too-wide eyes.

"Out there, I learned to be always in control. Take the money, give the service and leave." I sighed. "But it wasn't always like that."

I gazed at his wan face and I knew I couldn't hide it from him any longer. This was full disclosure and I was scared. I swallowed hard.

"When I was just starting out in the job I didn't know the rules of safety, the simple things like getting the money upfront. I was self-taught and I didn't always get it right." I closed my eyes for a second. "So, one day this good-looking guy comes by and asks if I'd go to his hotel room with him rather than be cramped in his car. I was so happy at the prospect of using a bed for once that I said yes without a second thought and got in his car." My fingers raked my hair, the recollection still bringing a degree of anxiety to the fore.

Edward stayed silent, but his fingers were clutching at my chest in a nervous motion.

"Turns out, he had a room at a small motel, nothing fancy. He unlocked the door and ushered me in first which I thought was polite. When the door slammed and locked behind me it was too late."

I paused, Edward's nails digging into my shirt. His face was waxy.

"Other guys came out of the dark, and then a light blinded me. Hands gripped me while they talked about how to position me in the harness. It took me a moment to understand."

Edward was shaking his head, trembling all over. I stroked his hair with a soft rhythmic touch while I told the rest of the story.

"I saw in that moment that I was to be a party favour, passed around and used by everyone in the room. They never intended to pay me or let me call the shots. The guy in the car had recognised my inexperience and capitalised on it. They all knew I was too dumb to have seen this coming. There was no way I was gonna submit to a gang bang, so I bit the hand holding my shoulders and kicked the knee of the guy reaching to grab me. In the struggle, I managed to wriggle free and locked myself in the bathroom. I smashed the window and ran for my life. I have that scar on my shoulder from the glass."

"But you went back out there? Knowing they could come back for you? To hurt you?" He was incredulous.

"I had to make rent. I got wise real quick after that night. It was either get it done behind the wall or nearby in their cars. I made them take the keys out of the ignition first and throw them on the dash. A lot of clients were aware of this already, a safety precaution for the hustler, and went along with it without argument. If anyone refused or acted up about it, I simply got out of the car. I kept myself safe as best I could. Regulars were the best way. No arguments, they knew the score. I thought I was protecting myself. I rarely took passing trade after that night, only familiar faces." I smiled sadly. "Unless I got really hungry."

My finger traced his jaw. "You know how that goes. I learned to cope without food for a couple of days at a time until a regular came looking for me, but any longer and I had to rely on my gut instincts to pick someone safe."

I ducked my head until his face was next to mine, loving how his lashes fluttered when he looked down at my lips. I ached to kiss him. My voice dropped to a whisper.

"It never occurred to me that one day I'd get out of the game and that others might not like that decision. I'm sorry, love. Sorry that tonight brought so many bad memories. It just proved that I was living in dreamland to think something like this wouldn't happen. I hoped I could just walk away and leave that life behind without consequences. I should've known. Life just isn't that kind." A choked laugh scraped its way out of my aching throat.

Edward's throat bobbed and I felt his warm breath mingling with mine.

"Don't. Don't apologise like you did something wrong. Jasper, this wasn't your fault. That guy made the choice to hurt you. Because we're invisible to some people, something they'd rather not see, it might seem like we deserve nothing better - but that's so wrong. Today you stood your ground and said no. I am so proud of you for that. It's like you finally believe that you're worth so much more than that old life. Now you have respect and dignity, and a regular paycheck. You are becoming who you want to be – who you should be."

His voice was low and painfully sincere. I felt the burn of my unshed tears and blinked them back before kissing him at last.

~o.O.o~

That night, his nightmares returned in full force. I woke to cries and struggling, unable to stop him before he jerked upright and punched the wall, waking himself with a sudden scream of pain.

His gasps and cries quieted, but his eyes were too wide, darting around the room in obvious distress. I struggled to push myself up, my bruised stomach complaining. Ignoring it with a wince, I took his hands, checking him over for damage.

"Was it the same dream?" Satisfied that nothing appeared broken, his skin was intact and he could move all his fingers, I pulled him to me and wrapped us both in the blankets. "You never hit out like that before."

I felt him relax a fraction, huddling into me.

"I'm sorry, I-I…" He shook his head, turning and snuggling deeper into the safety of my welcoming arms. I held him close, my face in his hair.

"If I had to guess? I think this one was 50/50 you fighting to defend yourself and you protecting me."

He nodded, a deep furrow between his brows. "It was like I was watching the guys who attacked me do the same thing to you. They were laughing and I wanted to kill them. I wanted to rip them away from you and hurt them so they never looked at either of us again without remembering that beating. I've never felt so angry and so afraid at the same time before."

I pressed kisses to his hair.

"Here's hoping that this will be an end to the bad dreams. You stood up to them – that's huge. You definitely punched one of them."

He winced.

"My hand's gonna hurt tomorrow." Tilting his head to look up at me, he frowned. "Emmett said he heard you scream and that made him come running. Were you screaming for help, or…?"

I let out a noisy breath, remembering.

"No. He was hurting me. The threat of what he planned to do… I didn't know whether I would've submit if he'd had a condom. It would've been easier and less traumatic to go through with it and escape in one piece. But without a condom, I knew I couldn't let him do that. He almost won, though. I wasn't thinking like a hustler, see. I wasn't in control. I was thinking like any other person would when being threatened. I was afraid. No lube, no prep, no condom… when he pushed his fingers in, all I felt was shock and pain."

Edward's traumatised face shattered my heart. I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, rubbing little circles on his back with my thumb.

"Sweetheart, I'm okay. All checked out. It wouldn't surprise me if Emmett doesn't find some excuse to hand out rape alarms to all staff in the next couple of days. He was amazing tonight. He was only still there because he went back to the office after our talk. If he'd gone home at the same time as Elise, this could've been so much worse. I guess in one way at least I was lucky tonight."

Edward frowned, his body coiling tighter against perceived threat.

"I think an alarm is a good idea. If Emmett doesn't hand them out I think you should still get one. Will he tell the others you were attacked? I mean, we didn't talk to the police so hopefully, no one will know."

I thought about that.

"He promised that no one would know about my past, so I'm guessing if he had to he'd tell them I was mugged. The bruises on my throat will be hard to explain away. Guess I'll find out when I go back. So glad I wasn't seen by Elise or one of the others. They saw me serving him in the store and misread my body language. A couple of them thought he was my dealer." I snorted out a wry laugh. "Better than the alternative, I guess."

"But that's horrible. Don't they like you? I can't imagine anyone not liking you." He yawned, his words starting to slow now that the adrenalin had burned itself out.

I smiled in the dark, stroking his hair. "You're biased, sweetheart."

"Maybe. But I love you and I get to marry you someday."

"Yes, you do. And I love you too."

There was a long pause, but then he spoke.

"Jas, what if this happens again and Emmett's not around? Our luck's running pretty thin and I'm scared. Could we offer to pay Emmett to run you home on late days? Then you wouldn't have to hang around on your own waiting for the bus." He sighed. "I don't want it to look like you're sucking up to the boss or anything, but I want you safe."

He snuffled, hovering on the cusp of sleep.

My fingers twitched along the mattress until I found his beanie, adjusting it until it reached the tips of his ears.

"Maybe. We'll see. Get some sleep now."

Exhausted, I fought sleep, afraid of the dark for the first time in my memory.

It wasn't until I felt Edward's breathing even out that I too surrendered.

~o.O.o~