She rolled her eyes. Adrienne hopped off the table and went to the mirror over the sink. She stared, dismayed. Half of her long hair had been chopped to shoulder-length. She’d have to cut the other half when she got home, or she’d look awful for her singing debut at the school.
Rene’s aunt was right about her ear lobe. Most of it was missing, and it still bled down her neck. She looked awful, covered in blood and with half her hair missing. She bit back tears.
“Some voodoo priestess attacked me,” she said at last and returned to the table. “Was worried I’d take her grandson away or something.”
“No surprise.”
Adrienne looked up, startled.
Rene shrugged.
“What does that mean?” she prodded.
“Jax said your family was cursed. She probably knew it.”
Is it that obvious to everyone? Adrienne absently rubbed the spot on her shoulder that marked the curse. It never saw the light of day and yet, somehow, everyone knew.
“She took my hair and threw blood on me,” Adrienne finished. “No chance she’s not making a voodoo doll or hex to put on me. Like I need another curse.”
Rene snorted, amused.
“It’s not funny, Rene.”
“A’ight.”
What was it with boys? Jayden took her to meet a woman who chopped off her ear and Rene thought curses were funny.
“You should learn to fight,” Rene advised.
“You know how to fight and you’re still here,” she pointed out.
“That’s different. I fought with Jax.”
“Your brother did that to you?”
“He got what he gave!” Rene shot back.
“Why were you fighting?”
“My family ain’t your business.”
“You’re not convincing me that learning to fight will help me at all,” she replied. “Doesn’t seem to do you no good.”
“I didn’t get my ear chopped off. Like I said, this was different. Always different when you fight family.”
“You do that often?” she asked quizzically. “Cuz I never fought any of my sisters.”
“You’re a girl.”
“Whatever.”
“You wanna learn, I’ll show you. You don’t, I won’t. Not my ears getting chopped off,” he said.
“Gee, thanks.”
“What he say?” his aunt demanded, walking in. She smacked Rene on the back of the head.
“I didn’t say nothing,” he growled.
“His mama moved in beside me when he was ten after his daddy ran off and his mama got sick. She don’t walk no more. Practically raised him and this is how he turn out?” his aunt complained.
Adrienne smiled.
“Wipe that smile off, cinnamon rolls. This is gonna hurt. We saving our local anesthetic for people worse off than you,” his aunt told her.
Adrienne’s smile dropped. “You serious?”
“Yep. Can’t hurt as bad as you getting cut up. You be good, and I got cookies this time.” His aunt turned and waved to her nephew, “Come hold her hand. I gotta use both of mine to sew.”
Once more, Rene appeared less than pleased at being burdened with her. He tossed his ice and crossed to the table, slapping his hand palm up on the table beside her.
Adrienne placed a hand in his, not expecting to notice the size, warmth and strength of his. Was it possible to be attracted to two guys? Sweet, dreamy Jayden and Rene, her reluctant thug of a guardian!
“What your name? You been in here twice. I’ll make you a file in case you come back,” his aunt asked. “Hold still.”
“Adrienne St. Croix.” She jerked at the sting of alcohol on her already burning ear. Rene’s aunt cleaned her up quickly then reached for the small tray containing a needle, thread and needle-nosed surgeon’s pliers.
“She look like the girl Jax dated a few years ago,” his aunt observed, pulling off the bloodied gloves and pulling on a clean pair.
“Not really,” Rene replied. “She wasn’t puny.”
“I’m not puny!” Adrienne objected.
“You should let Rene teach you to fight. He had to learn cuz his daddy was the only white man on their block. Might keep you outta here,” his aunt said and lifted the needle.
“I don’t need to – oh, god!” Adrienne’s ears burst into buzzing as agony roared through her. Tunnel vision formed, and she slumped.
“Nice,” Rene muttered.
Adrienne was vaguely aware of his arms circling her to keep her from falling off the table.
“I’m quick,” his aunt said, unconcerned.
The piercing pain made her want to throw up. True to her words, his aunt was fast and had the wound stitched within a few long seconds. Adrienne felt her wipe it down again then bandage it.
“Is she okay?” Rene asked uncertainly.
“She fine,” his aunt said. “Brighten right up when I bring in cookies.”
Adrienne forced herself out of the in-between place. She’d been attacked by a crazy priestess then almost passed out when someone tried to stitch her up. She helped raise her three younger sisters and manage her unstable mom. Of all things, she wasn’t weak, but today made her feel that way.
She drew a deep breath, pulling in Rene’s scent. He was strong and lean beneath the saggy clothing. Her ear throbbed, and his grip was solid.
He held her close until his aunt was done. His hands slid down her arms as he released her but kept one hand on her back to steady her. She rested against his chest, listening to his heartbeat and enjoying the way his warmth came through his t-shirt.
“You got even whiter,” Rene said, studying her.
Self-awareness spun through her. Did he think she was weak for almost passing out?
His eyes settled on her lips and lingered.
Was he thinking of kissing her?
Adrienne stared at him, startled but thrilled by the idea he was attracted to her. As if sensing her thought, he pulled away from her.
“It’s been a weird day,” she said. Adrienne wiped her face. She felt tired and weak. “Did you have any luck with Jax about the journal?”
“Don’t talk about it here,” Rene snapped quietly, attention shifting to the door.
“Are you walking me home again?” she asked. “Because I want my journal back.”
Rene shrugged and returned to his chair.
“Your cookies,” his aunt said, appearing in the doorway. “You feel okay?”
Adrienne nodded and accepted a sandwich bag with three cookies. They were warm to the touch, and her mouth watered. It was almost dinnertime, and her lunch salads weren’t filling her up at all.
“Go on. Rene, you walk her home. I don’t want to see her here again!”
“I had nothing to do with this!” Rene replied, standing.
“She got issues. The Lord say we take care of people with issues.”
“I don’t have issues,” Adrienne said, dismayed. She stood, wobbled and steadied herself.
“Maybe I should send more cookies. Fatten you up a little. A stiff breeze take you away.” Rene’s aunt laughed loudly.
“Thank you. Again.” Adrienne mumbled and walked out.
Did she have issues? Or at least, did she appear to have issues? Like her mother? People who saw her mother knew she’d bring drama with her, even before she opened her mouth. It was the crazed look in her eyes.
Was Adrienne turning into her?
Double ugh! She started out of the clinic, lost in her thoughts and wincing with each step that seemed to jar her sensitive ear. Judging by the last two days, she had something going on, or she wouldn’t keep finding herself at the free clinic.
Chapter Eleven
When she reached the humid outdoors, Adrienne waited for Rene. She reached into her book bag.
“Are things going to get better?” she whispered.