Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Lydia sighed as the California sun beamed down on her already red skin, her eyes squinted under its harsh rays and she used her hand to shield her eyes. She had been sitting in the same spot outside the alley for the past three days since she got here, thing has been tense at home, to say the least in which she was rewarded with a beating from her dear mother meaning she had to get out of Philadelphia as soon as possible, a one-way ticket on a greyhound bus with the first seat available had been her only form of escape. It was somewhere she couldn’t be found, not that her Mother really gave a shit if her nineteen-year-old daughter died on the streets or not.
Lydia chewed her lip slightly, the taste of metallic blood filled her mouth as she contemplated her options, she had no money nor anyone to contact for help and there was no way she could get a hotel without any money.
‘’Hey, sweet thing’’ a voice interrupted her internal thoughts as she craned her head, a middle-aged man leering down at her. ‘’What’s a pretty thing like you doing out here?’’ he asked with a sleazy grin as he squatted down to her level.
Lydia glowered. ‘’None of your business’’ she retorted harshly.
The man narrowed his eyes. ‘’That’s no way to talk to me’’ he fumed before grabbing her by the root of her hair, her eyes stinging with tears at the sharp sensation and the burning rippling through her tender scalp.
‘’Let go!’’ she cried out scanning the area and noting the people walking past ignoring her cries for help.
‘’Don’t think so’’ the man swore his alcohol-fueled breath hitting her in the face making her scrunch her nose up. ‘’I gotta collect my reward now’’ he stated looking at his belt.
‘’No, please’’ she begged tears pooling down her face.
‘’Shut the fuck up’’ he roared pushing her against the wall making her wince at the pain in her back.
‘’Please no’’ she squeaked as he tore at her jacket.
The click of a gun had them both freezing in their tracks. ‘’The lady said to let her go’’ a deep velvet voice commanded.
The man stopped slowly turning his head to face the intruder who interrupted him. Lydia craned her head to see one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, sharp features drawn into a scowl as he glowered at the man whilst deep blue eyes flittered over to Lydia as they made eye contact, a halo of golden hair framed his face.
‘’He bothering ya?’’ he drawled nodding to the man.
Lydia nodded lost for words.
‘’Fuck off’ the man spat.
The mystery man narrowed his eyes, a perfectly shaped eyebrow quirked up. ‘’The hell you say?’’ he asked his patience wearing thin.
‘’I said fuck off! She’s mine’’ the man retorted.
The mystery man laughed manically making Lydia wince thinking she had run into another psycho. ‘’Dude, you’re funny but you’re also one step away from me blowing you’re fucking brains out’’ he threatened lowly. ‘’Now, be nice and run along’’ he nodded his head over his shoulder.
The older man sneered before turning back to Lydia with a disgusted look on his face. ‘’Bitch isn’t worth it’’ he muttered before stalking off down the alleyway.
Lydia let out a breath. ‘’Thanks’’ she muttered to the stranger who looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
‘’Are you fucking insane?’’ the stranger stated.
‘’Excuse me!’’ she exclaimed narrowing her eyes.
‘’What the fuck are you thinking living out here?’’ he asked motioning to her ratty sleeping bags.
‘’I don’t have a choice’’ she snarked back.
Mystery man sighed. ‘’You can’t stay here, I ain't always gonna be here to save your ass’’ he replied.
Lydia folded her arms. ‘’As I’ve told you, I don’t have a choice’’ she bit back.
Mystery man smirked. ‘’Come and stay with me if you want’’ he responded.
‘’Now you have lost it’’ Lydia muttered. ‘’I don’t even know you’re name’’ she responded.
‘’Billy Hargrove’’ he stated with a nod.
‘’Well, Billy Hargrove how do I know you’re not going to kill me in my sleep?’’ she asked.
Billy shrugged. ‘’You don’t, but I did just save your ass’’ he responded with a knowing smirk.
Lydia paused. What he said was true, he had just saved her ass and she didn’t have anywhere better to go.
‘’Well, what do you want in return?’’ she asked.
Billy rolled his eyes. ‘’Nothing bad, could do with someone to clean and cook for me though’’ he responded.
Lydia glowered. ‘’Typical male’’ she muttered.
‘’Take it or leave it sweetheart or whatever your name is’’ he stated.
‘’Lydia’’ she responded.
‘’Well, Lydia is it a yes or a no?’’ he asked.
‘’One night’’ she emphasised. ‘’I’ll see how I feel after that’’ she responded.
‘’Good enough for me’’ Billy replied nonchalantly his eyes heavy. ‘’Follow me then’’ he stated nodding his head over his shoulder. He swaggered away as Lydia followed wondering what mess she had gotten into this time.