Page 77 of Shattered Queens: Veronica
He leans down and starts to kiss the curves of my breasts. My head is facing the ceiling; I hear him loosen his belt buckle, and I close my eyes. I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips.
I hear a loud thump, and the door crashes open. I turn and see Miles. I don’t even register what happens next. He grabs Vaun by the hair and punches him in the face, repeatedly. I hear the sound of bone breaking, followed by blood gushing from Vaun’s face. I can smell the copper in the air—blood. I feel like I’m going to be sick. I see the man I just met; he’s on the floor. Miles isn’t stopping. I grab him by the shoulders and try to push him off Vaun. He looks at me, completely lost in his rage. I see blood all over his shirt and splatters on his face.
“Miles, stop,” I scream.
I’m left stunned when he grabs my face with his bloody hands and looks at me. Oh god.
“Are you fucking high, Veronica?”
I can’t focus. I look past him to the man on the floor. I can’t respond. One bloody hand grips my cheek while he uses the other to bring the phone to his ear. He speaks to someone and then hangs up. He makes another call, but I can’t make out the words.
“Yes” is the only word I can make out.
“Are you fucking out of your mind? What did you take?” he shouts.
“I don’t know.”
He mumbles something, but I can’t understand the words. I hear Vaun groan on the floor.
“He’s lucky I didn’t kill him for touching you.”
What does he mean? Miles moves to the kitchen and returns with a damp cloth and iced water. "Drink this," he orders. He then places the cold, wet cloth on my forehead, and I notice the weapon that’s around his fingers. Then, he walks me to the couch.
I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here when the front door opens. I feel the shame wash over me as Felix steps into my apartment, with Kai behind him. His eyes are full of disappointment—no, it’s sadness. I look down and see bloodstains on my carpet. When I raise my eyes, I see Felix crouching down to meet me at eye level.
Barely audible, he says, “Oh, Veronica. What are you doing to yourself?”
I feel like there’s something stuck in my throat. I don’t say anything. What is there to say? He stands up and moves to where Kai and Miles are, over Vaun’s unconscious body.
“Is he dead?” I ask the men.
Miles doesn’t look my way. “Not yet.” Felix and Kai bend down to pick him off the floor. “Use the emergency exit,” Miles tells the men. Still not looking in my direction. They nod and carry the unconscious body away. Miles finally looks at me. “Who gave you the drugs?” he shouts, making me jump off the couch.
I look at my purse that’s on the floor, a lump forming in my throat. His gaze follows mine, and he walks over to it, picks it up, and starts digging through the contents. I say a silent prayer, a desperate plea that he doesn't find the rest, but of course, it’s in vain. My heart sinks as I watch him pull out the two small pink pills
“I’m going to ask you again, Veronica. Who gave you the pills? I’ll find out either way.”
“Please don’t hurt her,” I plead.
His eyes widen. “Iwon’t hurt her, but I can’t say the same for the others. Now, give me a fucking name.”
“Angel from the club.”
Before he’s able to say anything, my front door opens again. It’s Tomas. He walks straight to me. I see he has a bag with him.
“Hi, Veronica. I need to know what you took tonight.”
“This.” Miles shows Tomas the pill.
“Shit.” I hear Tomas mumble. “Veronica, have you taken that pill before?”
“No.” I’m only able to answer in short sentences.
I can tell he’s concerned. “This is a new drug. I’m going to give you an IV to help flush the drugs from your system, and I also need to keep your body cool.” He looks at Miles and gives him orders. Suddenly, I’m being lifted, an arm under my legs and another supporting my back. It’s Miles. He’s carrying me and making his way to my bedroom. He lays me down and, without hesitation, starts to undress me. His bloodstained hands are so gentle, moving as if I were made of glass, careful not to shatter me. It’s too late for that.
Soon, I’m in my bra and panties. I see him staring at my body. If I wasn’t high, I would think he’s admiring me. He lifts his arms and takes off his T-shirt. I can’t help but stare; his body is so defined, the V-line catching my attention. I look at those gray eyes, staring into me. He helps me put on his shirt while Tomas starts to set up the IV. I feel the poke of a needle. Miles is just standing, watching everything. Not speaking a word.
“Please don’t tell my brothers.” I begin to cry. “Please.”
