Chapter Twenty-Five
Marella's luggage took up almost half of the floor space in the living room. Mason, Lee and Kelley sat in the kitchen with bottles of water on the table in front of them. They'd been quiet for the last ten minutes and Mason was the first one to break the silence.
"What I don't get is how her father just let them take her."
Kelley shifted uncomfortably and sighed. "The order must have come from Charles and nobody says anything because he has dirt on them all. The things they do and are a part of keep them compliant and I'm pretty sure that he threatens their wives and daughters too."
"At least we got her out," Lee said softly.
Mason sat up straight then and focused his attention on Lee. "I've never seen you so fierce, Lee. You looked ready to pummel him."
"I wanted to hurt ..."
“No! Don’t touch me!”
Kelley, Mason and Lee jumped up at the same time as Marella’s scream came from upstairs. Lee was the biggest and he physically pushed them out of his way as he ran up the stairs. Mason stopped and chuckled and Kelley grinned before they followed him up the stairs.
Kelley and Mason stood just inside the room watching Lee as he held and soothed Marella. She was crying and Lee’s hand soothed over her hair and down her back. She was bunched up on his lap and he spoke soothingly to her.
“You’re okay, I won’t let them touch you ever again.”
Mason turned towards Kelley and whispered. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say Lee likes her.”
“I can hear you, Mason.”
“I was whispering!” Mason looked perplexed and Kelley moved towards the bed.
“Don’t touch her, Kelley. I’ve got her.”
Kelley stood his ground. “You okay, Marella?”
“I said I’ve got her.” Lee looked angry and Kelley took a step backwards with his hands raised in surrender.
“I’m okay, Kelley.” Marella’s voice was soft but clear.
“Lee …”
“Piss off, Mason.”
“Lee? I’m okay now, I promise.”
Lee shifted and looked at Marella as she moved off his lap. He relaxed his arms but didn’t move away from her. Mason grinned as he looked at Lee and Kelley leaned against the wall, not sure what to do or say that wouldn’t piss Lee off.
“Are you okay to talk about what happened?” Kelley looked at Marella.
“Thank you for finding me. I was so scared but the moment I saw you I knew I’d be okay.” Lee glared at Kelley as Mason tried not to laugh outright.
“I’m so sorry, Marella, it’s because you tried to warn me.”
Marella nodded her head. “They took me to your father’s hotel after they called my dad. I can’t believe he let them take me.” Marella’s head lowered and she sniffed once before looking up again.
“We already paid your dad a visit, you’re not going back there.” Lee’s voice was gentle but his eyes spoke of murder.
“What?”
“Don’t worry about anything now. We’ve got you.” Kelley and Mason nodded their heads in agreement with Lee’s statement.
“What happened in the hotel room, Marella?” Kelley didn’t really want to know but he knew that they all needed to know.
“Hanson ripped my clothes but then he stopped and he asked me if you'd been there before him ..." Marella's voice trailed off and Kelley was glad until he saw the look on Lee's face.
“You slept with Marella?” Lee was standing now and his fists were clenched tightly. Kelley caught Marella's look and she shook her head and Kelley understood instantly that she wanted him to lie.
“He said he wouldn’t stick it in me after you’d been there so they just beat me up a few times. This morning they said I was a waste of space and they dumped me on the street.”
"You haven't answered me, Kelley." Lee was closing the distance between them and Marella's eyes were wide with shock.
“No! Lee, calm down!”
“Lee … back away from Kelley.”
“Do you love her at least?” Lee wasn’t listening to any of us and his anger was making him deaf, dumb and blind.
“Lee!” We all turned towards Marella. “I lied … Kelley’s always been my friend, my only friend really.”
“Oh.”
“What the hell did I miss?” Mason laughed now, loud and boisterous.
“I met Lee a few months ago … my car had a flat and Lee changed my tyre and followed me home to make sure I got there safely.”
“I had no idea you two knew each other.” Kelley looked at Lee then and knew. Lee was in love with Marella. It was so obvious now that he thought about it that he actually smiled. Marella was nice and they would probably have dated if he hadn't been pushed towards Norah by everyone.
“Well, after that I saw Lee at the market one morning and we exchanged numbers and we got to know one another.” Marella looked down suddenly and Kelley and Mason noticed the way her ears reddened. She was in love with Lee too.
“We got your stuff from home, your clothes and stuff. Ming packed it.” Kelley scratched the back of his neck, suddenly feeling like he and Mason were in the way.
“What will I do now? What about school?”
Kelley smiled at Marella. “You’ll do what I did, transfer to Public and finish senior year with us.”
Mason nodded his head and Lee looked hopefully at her. “What will your parents say? I can’t stay here!”
"We'll figure it out, Marella, don't worry about that now," Kelley said and shifted on his feet. "Did they ... did they ever take you to a room with a bunch of them?"
Lee's eyes shifted to murderous once more and Kelley backed up a few steps. Marella shook her head. "No, Kirk watched me for a few days but he never touched or hurt me."
“Boys?”
“Oh shit.” Mason, Lee and Kelley said that simultaneously as Carey came into view as she walked up the stairs.
“The school called to say you and Kelley weren’t in class.”
“Mom … we can explain.”
Mason and Kelley blocked the doorway and Lee stood behind them with his arms crossed. Carey faced them and crossed her arms over her chest as well and raised her eyebrow. Kelley was the first one to break.
“It’s my friend …”
“Move Mason! You too Lee!”
“Yes, Carey.” Lee moved to the side and Mason shook his head.
“You’re both pansies …”
“Mason James! Do you want to meet my foot?”
