Finally, my vision, blurred from rage, begins to focus again and I see Brad on top of me. I stop trying to fight against him.
“What the fuck is going on?” he asks, getting up off of me.
I make my way to my feet and see Deven still on the bed, wrapped in the sheet as tears stream down her face.
“What the fuck does it look like?” I ask, moving to her and wrapping her in my arms. “Shhh, you’re fine. He won’t ever touch you again,” I promise her.
Brad looks from us to Marco, who’s passed out on the floor, and back. A woman walks into the room and takes us all in. She gasps when she sees her boyfriend unconscious on the floor. “What happened?” she asks, rushing to him. She tries to sit him up, but all he can do is moan.
“Mom,” Brad says, bending down to her level. “I think Marco was trying to force himself on Deven,” he says softly so Deven doesn’t overhear, not wanting to cause her any more grief than what she’s already going through.
“What? No, that isn’t possible,” the woman argues.
They whisper back and forth while I tend to Deven, but the old lady won’t listen to what’s right in front of her face. I finally lose my temper and turn to face her. “Look around! Deven didn’t come on to him all those months ago. He tried coming on to her, and when she pushed him away, his pride was hurt. He lied to you, and you believed him over your own daughter. And what’s even better is you brought her attacker to her doorstep today. Then you left him alone with her. When I walked in, he was seconds away from taking something from her that she could never have back. Is that something you think you can believe? If not, get the fuck out. Deven doesn’t need you anyway. She has everything she needs right here. Her real family.” I turn back to Deven after leaving the lady speechless. “Come on. Let’s get you home.” I pick her up against me with her clothes in my hand. “Brad, call the police. We’re pressing charges on that asshole.” I walk out of the room, carrying her to the bathroom to help her get dressed.
I set her on the sink and wet a rag to wash her face, which is covered in tears and smeared makeup. I cup her face with both my hands, leveling her eyes on mine. “Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need to see a doctor?”
She shakes her head. “He was so close,” she cries out.
“I know,” I reply, pulling her to my chest and hugging her hard. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.” I can taste the acid in my mouth that’s bubbled up from my anger. It makes my chest tighten and every muscle harden.
“It’s not your fault, Hudson. You can’t be with me every minute of every day,” she replies, holding her hand out for her shorts.
I give them to her and then tug my T-shirt over my head and hand it over. She shrugs out of the ripped shirt and replaces it with mine.
I place my hand under her chin. “I need you to trust me. You know I’d never hurt you.”
She nods and presses her lips to mine, kissing me deeply, passionately. I get lost in her time and time again and I never care to find my way back out. I’d live in her if I could.
“I love you, Hudson,” she whispers against my lips.
“I love you too, baby.” I kiss her again and again, afraid to take my lips off her. This is the only thing that holds my anger at bay
The rest of the day is spent talking to the police, giving our statements, and watching as Marco is walked out in handcuffs. Deven’s mom is beside herself, but part of me wonders if she’s upset because she lost her money train or if she’s mad at herself for not believing Deven and for not being able to protect her. Either way, I don’t stick around to ask. As soon as we’re free to go, I take Deven back to our room and lock the door.
I draw us a hot bubble bath and I hold her closer as we sit quietly, relaxing and trying to forget our day. I can tell