Firstly I feel compelled to remark on the comments of this story being too brutal or it is dragging on ...
If you look around in real life some of this kind of stuff goes on to some degree but nearly always behind closed doors. People who are aware of it often look the other way as it is 'none of their business'.
I have seen TV programs where women and teenage girls go missing, sometimes seen later with unsavoury characters but not to return to family.
Abuse goes on and is called domestic abuse, sexual assault etc.
Mind games are played by one spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend/(what ever term they prefer), on their partners.
A lot of people turn a blind eye to it or simply do nothing about it like some of the characters in my story.
To those who find it too brutal. I take it you have read it to know this. It offends sensibilities and yet you read on.
As for dragging on, it has taken time to show the system of what the characters have went through or done.
Well I'll climb down off my soap box and let you the reader get on to the story, if it does not offend you.
There is no heroine or hero in this story, just characters with different personalities. So enjoy my story or feel free to find a story you enjoy.
And thank you to the many many readers who have sent me emails saying how much you have enjoyed this story.
And thanks to the readers who have criticized my story. Without criticism I can not improve.
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CHAPTER 12
Sky sat on the kitchen chair as she watched Brad working on a piece of leather he was making into a belt. Bored with nothing to do Sky gave a faint sigh and got to her feet. She got herself a glass of water and stood looking out the window over the sink.
"I'm nearly finished here," Brad said as he inspected the unfinished belt.
"Can I have something to eat?" Sky asked. She had barely eaten when Ren had breakfast and now it was nearly lunchtime.
"There's a frozen pizza in the freezer we can have." Brad said as he glanced at her.
Sky placed her empty glass on the sink and went to the freezer. She grimaced as her sore muscles sent twinges of pain out when she bent to look into the open freezer.
"There's several pizzas. Ham and Pineapple. Meat lovers or Super supreme." Sky said and waited for Brad's choice.
"What ever you prefer." Brad told her.
Sky hesitated a moment then reached for the super supreme pizza; she knew he liked that one. The pizza wouldn't take long in the microwave so she quickly popped in to heat.
The microwave zinged announcing the pizza was ready. Brad had packed his stuff away and was waiting at the table. Sky cut the pizza up then placed it on the table along with two plates.
"Ok, where's my t-bone steak and all the trimmings?" Brad asked with a grin.
Sky glanced at him wide eyed with fear and took several hurried steps backwards as he glanced at the pizza. Brad looked up at the movement and saw the terrified look on her face.
"That's right! I asked for pizza didn't I!" Brad said with a forced laugh.
"I was only mucking around Sky." Brad told her gently when she continued to watch him uncertainly.
"Hawk's the only one I know who explodes over nothing." Brad said as he sat down and reached for a piece of pizza.
Sky hesitated a moment then hunger won out and she sat down across the table from him and reached for a slice of pizza as well.
"Is that pizza I smell?" Brent asked as he walked into the kitchen, he paused in front of the fridge to place something on top of it.
"Yeah, you want some nuke your own." Brad said.
"Filled the van with fuel. Good day there beautiful." Brent directed his remark at Sky.
She glanced his way but didn't respond.
Brent got a cold bottle of beer from the fridge and took a long drink. He eyed the pizza for a few seconds then left the room.
"When we finish eating do you want to watch a movie or play cards?" Brad asked.
"Can you teach me to play that card game you always play?" Sky asked.
Brad shrugged as he bit into another slice of pizza. He chewed the mouthful thoroughly before answering.
"Can't see why not. It aint as if you're stupid or anything." Brad remarked.
"I'll try real hard to learn." Sky promised.
"Hey Brad! You in there?" Someone called from outside. There was the sound of footsteps entering the house then Matty came into the kitchen.
"Yeah. What do you want?"
"We need a hand to fit the axle onto the trailer." Matty explained with a doubtful glance at Sky.
"Give us a few minutes to finish here and I'll be out there." Brad said.
Matty glanced at Sky then gave a nod before heading back outside.
"So Sky," Brad said seriously. "Can I trust you while I'm outside or not?"
After a moments hesitation Sky nodded.
"I can do some washing or something." Sky said faintly.
"Yeah, well just as long as you don't do anything stupid like try to run away." Brad said levelly.
"I thought you said I'm not stupid." Sky said softly.
"Good-O then." Brad said seemingly satisfied.
When Brad had finished eating he heading outside leaving Sky to clean up after their meal and then do a load of laundry.
When Sky was alone she moved to the sink to make sure no one was heading towards the house before carrying one of the kitchen chairs to the fridge. With a quick second glance towards the window Sky climbed onto the chair and looked at what Brent had placed on the fridge top. She smiled to herself as she recognised the keys to the van and several of the bikes.
* * * * *
Brad wasn't real sure what to expect when he came back into the house. He looked in the laundry to find Sky loading clean washing into a clothesbasket.
"I need to hang this out." Sky said faintly.
Brad nodded and took the heavy basket out to the clothesline.
"So did you starch Ren's jocks?" Brad asked with a chuckle.
"Uh? Should I have?" Sky asked uncertainly.
"Not that I know of but I would have liked to see the look on his face if you had."
Sky looked at Brad and for the first time she noticed that he was quite handsome. Not in the same way she found Ren very handsome but he did have an engaging grin.
"Why are you being so much nicer to me now Hawk is gone?" Sky asked uneasily as what Hawk had said about Ren selling her body ran through her mind.
"Well for a start I don't have to worry about Hawk getting the wrong idea and going mental on you. As for Ren, he knows I'd never touch his woman." Brad said mildly.
Sky turned her attention back to the basket of clothes she had to hang out. As she worked she thought about how Hawk had reacted whenever any of the guys had payed attention to her and realised with a start he had almost acted jealous.
"So what will we be playing for at cards?" Brad asked with a grin.
Sky turned her head and watched him with a frown.
"We could always play for match sticks. Or you could use Ren's bike as a grubstake. Bet a wheel here, handlebars there or chrome work now and then." Brad said seriously.
Sky turned her head to stare at him wide-eyed with shock.
"Do we have to play for stuff?" Sky finally asked uneasily.
"No, I'm only jerking your chain." Brad laughed softly to show he had been joking. He turned his head to listen then looked towards the road that led up to the house.
"Looks like your man's about to get home." Brad remarked as a bike came into view. He turned to glance at Sky and saw the fear on her face before she grabbed the now empty basket and headed for the house.
Brad caught her by the upper arm before she reached the door and pulled her to a halt.
"Stand out here and wait for Ren." Brad ordered softly.