Violet

13

I drove to my shift at Eddie's in a daze. The rest of the day had been awful. I'd paced around the apartment. Looking for any traces of a break in, bugs or anything that resembled tampering. There'd been nothing. Unless it was just my untrained eyes. Maybe James Bond could've done a better job.

Eddie was behind the bar when I arrived. Finishing up with a customer. His eyes dark and skin paler than usual. Tipping my chin up with his hand he inspects my bruises. "How you feeling?"
"Honestly?" I move my face away. A man touching me was the last thing I wanted right now and for some odd reason the men in my life thought it was perfectly acceptable to touch whenever they liked.
Not anymore. "I feel like shite."

Moving aside he let me get to work. So far the shift was good. The usual clientele came in, ordered the usual and sat around the bar making small talk. Every now and then I'd be drawn in for opinions but no one bothered me. That's what I loved about my job. No one bothered me.
"Vi, please tell his arsehole he's wrong!" Rick, a large burly man who always smelled of cheap cigars asked as his arm laid tightly over another mans shoulders.
Grinning I pour them both a shot and shake my head. "Don't drag me into your saucy talk, Rick Jones."
"Come on, it's nothing like that!" He knocks his shot back and pointed to the man beside him with his thumb. "This bastard here thinks 'The Giant' can kick the shit out of your Alex."
My heart dropped. My eyes flicked between the two. Trying to figure out who this other man was. Now that I was looking closer, he didn't look familiar at all. Short, stout and bald. Surely, I would know him if he came in here often. Obviously, he didn't.
"My Alex?"
"Come on, Vi. He's been stuck to you like a bad habit for days. We do have eyeballs you know." He slurred. Swaying a little in his seat.
"I wouldn't say he's 'my' Alex." I gulp nervously. Blushing a little. "But, yes I think Alex would give this 'giant' a good beating."
"Ah!" Rick slaps the stranger on the back. Nearly knocking him sideways. "There! Fuck you!"

The rest of the evening went without anymore taunting, or blushing. Rick got his way and went home happy and drunk. The stranger left soon after their encounter. Eddie sat in the corner doing some paperwork. Staring blankly at a piece of paper like a boy studying for exams. Taking pity on him, I sit beside him and pull the paper towards me to inspect.
It was a bill. A very large bill. But one he could easily pay off if he cut some corners. Taking his pen I scribble down some notes. His arm resting on the chair behind me, his face dangerously too close for comfort. I pass the paper back in silence and let him read it.
"Will this work?"
"With time." I nod. My hands held between my thighs anxiously. "We'd have to higher the alcohol prices and stop a couple of brand shipments but I don't think it's much to worry about, Ed."
He nods. Agreeing with me. His eyes watching me.
I open my mouth to continue but he cuts me off with a scorching kiss. His arms wrapping around me so tight I can barely breathe. Loosening his grip he moves his hands to cup my face and I take this chance to squirm free and get to my feet.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to do that." He states. Getting to his feet to tower over me. I step back. Making sure there was plenty of distance from him.
"Keep away from me." I move back, untying my apron from around my waist and tossing it aside as I power walk to the back to grab my bag. He follows me. Watching me as I pull on my denim jacket and grabbing my keys out of my bag. I try to push by but he blocks my path. "We need to talk about this."
"No. There's nothing to talk about. You kissed me. Not the other way around." I snarl. "I didn't want it. So, I have two choices.."
"Which are?" He frowns, leaning his hands on either side of the doorframe.
"Forget about it or get another job."
"I don't want that." His eyes widen. "My intention wasn't to upset you, sweetheart."
"What were you expecting, Ed?" I duck under his arm and make for the front door. Only for his large hand to grip my arm and pull me back against his chest. Holding me tight.
"I want us to be together, Vi." His lips brushed my neck and I freeze. My insides coiling in revulsion. I'd never thought about it before. Over the years he'd touched me and I'd thought nothing of it. Now, feeling his hands on me it suddenly dawned on me. He'd been harassing me since the day he gave me a job. I'd put it down to simple kindness and wanting to reassure me. He'd helped me because he'd wanted me around for himself. I'd paid off the debt of my harasser.
"Get your hands off me!" I yell, spinning in his arms then jogging for my car. I almost make it inside of my trusty beetle before I'm lifted off my feet. Arms wrapped around my waist as I'm dragged away. Thrashing and screaming I try to break free. Aiming my feet for his knees. Anything to try to break his hold. He grips tighter, breaking my screams as I gasp for breath. "Please....let. Go." I gasp.
"I've waited as long as I can, sweetheart." He pants in my ear.

"Uh, should I come back?" A voice makes us turn. "Or can anyone join the party?" Alex cracks his knuckles as he slowly approaches. His biker jacket hood up, guarding him from the bitter October cold. Muddy, black boots squelching and breaking twigs beneath his feet as he crossed the car park.
"This has nothing to do with you." Eddie roared. Tightening his grip around me. Making me cry out.
Alex, raising a brow, nods towards me. "Well that's my girl you're manhandling so, yeah, it does."

Eddie tenses, letting me down to my feet but gripping the back of my neck. His fingers digging into my pale skin. I hiss. Reaching up to grip his arm. "Why are you doing this to me?" I cry. He shakes me and I cry out in pain. "I've loved you for years and nobody ever came near you. Then this mother fucker.." he points at Alex who was slowly creeping closer. Smart. "Smiles at you and you drop your panties!" He gives me another rough shake. "You have no fucking idea!"
I whimper.

"Let her go. It's not Violet you're mad at. It's me." Alex was so close now. Safety was so close. My body was shaking as Ed's rough grip squeezed the back of my neck. A sudden dizziness clouding my vision a little.
"You." Eddie glares at him. "This is all because of you. She hates me because of you."
"Think your gambling had a little something to do with it, arsehole."
I reach my hand out slyly for Alex but he shakes his head. Did he have something planned? Was he going to hurt him?
"Why didn't you just stay away?" Eddie yells. Throwing me aside into the dirt and launching himself at Alex.