Chapter 8 Chapter 8

 After a minute or so, she got to her feet. Carrying Angel out of the tub, she began drying the little girl with a towel. She then put her in clean clothes. Finally, she stripped off her own shirt and underwear. Putting her clean clothes on, she took the clothes both she and Angel had been wearing and rinsed them out in the tub. She hung them up to dry on the shower pole.

 After she was done, she took Angel back to her room. She found extra blankets and a sheet set in the closet then fashioned a bed on the floor since Angel’s bed was wet.

She stripped off the wet sheets and threw them into a corner. Gathering the little girl up, she laid down with her on the floor. “Go back to sleep sweetheart. Morning will be here before we know it.” She kissed Angel on the forehead and watched over her as the little girl fell asleep.

Sleep didn’t come for Marty for a long time as she had too much on her mind. Who had done this to this sweet child? Who had abused her? She found no answers, but she vowed that she would.

Finally, she closed her eyes and slept.

The morning sun crept in through the curtains when Marty felt a finger poking her. She groaned and tried to hide underneath the blankets. Opening her eyes, she saw Angel’s smile. “Morning darlin.” Marty stretched and sat up. “Are you all slept out sweetie?”

Angel nodded and held her bunny close.

“You want to get up and go get something to eat?”

Angel nodded again, then rubbed her tummy a bit.

Marty yawned and said, “Ok, well let’s get dressed then. Can you go find some clothes while I get dressed then I’ll help you if you want.”

Angel got up and went over to her dresser. She began going through her clothes and picked out something to wear. She grabbed a pair of shorts along with a tank top and brought them over. She began taking off her pajamas.

Marty finished pulling on her own clothes and then turned to watch Angel.

Angel kept struggling to put her top on.

Finally, Marty sat down next to her and said quietly, “Those darn tank tops. They can be a pain in the butt to put on, can’t they? Can I help you with that?”

Angel stopped struggling and nodded softly. Tears ran down her face.

Marty reached out and patted her small shoulder. “Oh sweetie, it’s ok. You’ll get there sooner than you think.” She pulled the top off, straightened it out and showed the little girl how to figure out the top. Next, she helped with Angel’s shorts. Grabbing the brush off the table she brushed her long red hair. When she was done, Marty smiled. “There you go darlin’ all ready for the day. Now I gotta find my brush and comb my hair. Then we can go get some food.”

Angel decided she also needed a long sleeve shirt so she also put that on over the tank.

A few minutes later, they were ready to go as Marty grabbed her jacket at the last minute.

Angel wanted to be carried so Marty swung her up and settled her on her hip. Together, they went down the hall to the main room.

There were a few of the brothers sitting there drinking coffee and the three women were setting out breakfast.

Angel folded herself close to Marty and she looked around not seeing her dad.

Marty paused just inside the room and as she gazed around, she could feel the tension in the room growing. Suddenly, she was pushed from behind and she stumbled into the room.

 ”Oh, excuse me.” Diabolus sneered. “I didn’t see you standing there but you know you shouldn’t just stop in front of someone like that. You could get pushed out of the way.”

Marty looked him in the eye and nodded. “Apparently.”

Diabolus paused at her snarky comment.

 A look came into his eyes that she didn’t like. Marty set Angel down and nudged her toward the wall. “You stand out of the way babygirl, this could get ugly real quick and I don’t want you to get hurt.” She turned back to Diabolus. Staring at him briefly, she motioned for him to bring it on, to come get her.

Diabolus snorted and shook his head. “Honey, you can’t take me on and hope to win. You’re just a girl.” He was a towering man with huge arms and powerful looking legs.

Marty shook her head. “Why not? I can guarantee you ain’t gonna touch me.”

“Huh,” Diabolus retorted. “I could snap you like a twig.” He snapped his fingers.

Marty motioned again for him to bring it.

 Diabolus stepped up. He hauled his fist back and let it fly but she was no longer there. Then her foot sunk into his belly. He wasn’t prepared for the kick, so it took his breath away.

He growled and reached out to grab her, but again she wasn’t where she was supposed to be. Diabolus almost fell on his face, he caught himself at the last minute as he peered up and saw her standing there motioning for him, it made him angry when he noticed her mocking smile.

He grabbed for her again and this time, he caught her by the hair. He wrapped it around his wrist and pulled her toward him.

The boys sitting around now paid attention as they thought their man would probably show her up.

The next thing they knew, Diabolus had been laid out flat on the ground. It took a moment or two for him to get his breath back. He surged back to his feet with an angry roar and came after her, he really looked pissed.

Marty just stood there and at the last second, she turned, sinking her foot into his belly again. She moved so fast they couldn’t even see her movements. Her foot twisted as she did a double kick, hitting his chest dead center and in a flash, her foot popped him in the throat.

Diabolus was down flat on his back while struggling to catch his breath again, but this time he wasn’t able to breathe.

Marty knelt beside him and placedher hand on his chest. Looking him in the eyes, she could see the fear there and she whispered, “Breathe in slowly and exhale slowly.” She stayed with him until his breathing came back online then she got to her feet wordlessly. She went over to Angel and picked her up.

The whole room went utterly silent as she walked over to a table and sat down with Angel on her lap.

Zeus came into the room and saw Diabolus still on the floor. “What the hell is going on out here?” he demanded as he helped his man up off the floor. Then he looked at Diabolus’ hand, still holding several strands of long dark hair. “What the fuck, man?” He growled as he looked around the room and found Marty sitting with Angel.