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  Table of Contents:

  Table of Contents:

  Chapter 1: Introduction

  Chapter 2: Running

  Chapter 3: New Beginnings

  Chapter 4: Getting To Know You

  Chapter 5: Fun Night/Valentine’s Day

  Chapter 6: Just Friends

  Chapter 7: Movie Night

  Chapter 8: Game Day

  Chapter 9: Girls Night Out

  Chapter 10: Taken

  Chapter 11: Meeting The Family (Part 1)

  Chapter 12: Meeting The Family (Part 2)

  Chapter 13: Family Reunion (Part 1)

  Chapter 14: Family Reunion (Part 2)

  Chapter 15: Family Reunion (Part 3)

  Chapter 16: Back To Normal

  Chapter 17: Getting On My Feet

  Chapter 18: Lonely Nights

  Chapter 19: Regrets

  Chapter 20: Party

  Chapter 21: Hate That I Love You

  Chapter 22: Love Prevails

  Chapter 23: Thanksgiving (Part 1)

  Chapter 24: Thanksgiving (Part 2)

  Chapter 25: Chill Day

  Chapter 26: Broken

  Chapter 27: Weakness

  Chapter 28: Changes

  Chapter 29: Secrets (Part 1)

  Chapter 30: Secrets (Part 2)

  Chapter 31: Love Is Pain

  Chapter 32: Pain Is Love

  Chapter 33: Love Hurts

  Chapter 34: Family Ties (Part 1)

  Chapter 35: Family Ties (Part 2)

  Chapter 36: Reconnections

  Chapter 37: Forgiveness

  Chapter 38: Hurting

  Chapter 39: I Got You

  Chapter 40: Letting Go

  Chapter 41: New Life

  Chapter 42: The Worst

  Chapter 43: Fresh Start

  Chapter 44: Forever

  Chapter 1: Introduction

  Nia's POV

  January 31st

  6:30 pm

  "BITCH, WHERE IS MY DAMN WATCH? IMA BE LATE" my boyfriend, Andre, yelled at me. I quickly started to look for it around our bedroom.

  "I don't know, baby. You had it yesterday" I said as he stared at me.

  "Did I ask you when the last time I had it? I asked where the fuck it's at? You never know shit" he spat at me.

  I'm so used to all the name-calling and hurt that he has put me through, that it really doesn't even bother me anymore. Him calling me a bitch has started to feel normal. I stayed quiet and watched him as he found it in his coat pocket from yesterday. I sat on the edge of our bed.

  "Dumb, fat ass hoe," he said lowly as he put on his shoes.

  "Look, I'm finna go out. I'll be back in the morning. Don't you go nowhere, don't leave this fucking house, you hear me" he asked me with so much venom in his voice. I nodded.

  "Speak up.. damn. You wanna be smart and shit any other time" he said as he hovered over me. He kissed me and started to kiss down my neck as he grabbed his crotch.

  "You wanna suck it real quick," he asked. I sighed.

  "YO DRE" I heard his friend, Jamar, yell out.

  "Damn. I guess I'll have to find somebody else to do it" he said chuckling as he walked to the door. I quickly wiped the tear that ran down my face before he could see it. He continued to chuckle.

  "You such a weak ass bitch. That's why your parents gave you up. Nobody wants you and don't nobody gives a fuck about all that crying" he said as he slammed our room door. I heard the front door downstairs close and tires screeching as he left. I sighed deeply. I couldn't even hold back the tears anymore.

  I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. I rubbed my hands through my shoulder-length straight, black hair. I examined myself in the mirror as I touched my burn marks, bruises, and cuts. I don't even know who I am. I touched myself and dropped to my knees. I feel so broken. I've let this man run over me and abuse me for the past two and a half years.

  Let me give y'all a rundown, my name is Nia Payne and I'm 23 years old. I'm about 5'5 and I weigh about 190. I grew up not knowing who my biological parents were and I jumped from foster home to shelters. I met Andre at a bar 3 years ago and he has been taking care of me since. We live in Maryland in District Heights. But the first 6 months of our relationship was great. He was sweet, loving, and everything I looked for within a man. There wasn't any name-calling or anything like that. But overnight, it's like things changed.

  "Get up, Nia. You are so much stronger than this" I said trying to force myself to get up. I wiped my tears and started to look around our bedroom. Andre is a wealthy man and everything he does shows for it. He's a showoff and a big asshole.

  I really want to leave him, but I'm afraid. I have nowhere to go or a lot of money. I don't even have a family or friends or anything. My life sucks. I sometimes don't even know why I try. I wake up every morning dreading the day to start. I have no joy or peace. I feel alone and I'm broken. I sometimes wish he could just kill me. I will rather be dead. I just don't want to try anymore.

  Andre tracks everything I do. He tracks my car and phone's location all the time. He wants to know my every more, 24/7. He wants to be in control all the time and I just can't take it anymore. I know there's better out there for me.

  This is Andre's first trip since the summer. I said the last time that whenever he goes on business again, I'll leave. I walked into our closet and pushed the clothes back. I will just have to stay in a hotel for a little while. I grabbed my suitcase and quickly started to pack my bags. I emptied out every drawer and took everything I owned. I walked to his safe and started to try to unlock it. Andre will probably kill me after he finds out I went in his safe, but I don't care. He owes me something for everything I've done for him.

  All these years, I've been working my ass off for him. I have done things that I am nearly ashamed of. I've let him use and corrupt me for too long. I cooked every drug he wanted, I stole for him, hacked companies for him, pimped women out for him, counted his money for him, and so much more. And no matter how crazy he acted, I still did everything for him. And I know, without me, he will suffer. No other woman will do half of the things I've done for him. I was so loyal to him, I never cheated or anything. I never even looked at another guy.

  But all he has ever done is treated me like shit. He treated me like his own personal toy. He picked me up and played with me only when he felt like it. He doesn't care about me nor love me and I know it.

  I opened the safe and money started to fall out. It was stuffed with money. He has the same code for everything, which is his mom's birthday. I know he has probably a million dollars to his name. He's rich, but not that rich. He's such a cocky ass man that he doesn't even see his own mistakes. He has people stealing from him day to day and all he does is walk over everybody. All the money was wrapped in labels indicating how much. I count all the incoming money, so I know everything is accurate. I grabbed about $200K and ran downstairs. I grabbed his MacBook and deactivated the tracker he had in my car.

  I ran out of the house and snatched the tracker off the wires inside of my 2016 Mercedes coupe. I cranked it and sped off down the interstate. I know not to get a hotel nowhere around because I know Dre will find me. I guess I'll be going to Baltimore. Dre hardly ever is in Baltimore because he's into it with nearly every damn body there. He's such a stupid ass man. I swear if I would've known the real him at first, I would've never given him the time of day. The ride to Baltimore is about an hour, so I got comfortable in my seat. I took a deep breath and exhaled. Lord, I pray that you give me a better life. Give me a reason to live. I don't know what to do anymore.

  Chapter 2: Running

  Nia's POV

  February 1st

  1:00pm

  I woke up to the sun shining brightly in my face. I flipped over and stretched. This bed
felt so good. Last night, I checked into The Woods Hotel. It's a nice hotel and very expensive. I went ahead and booked my room for this week, which was $2500.

  I groaned and hopped out of the bed. I grabbed my phone to see over 50 missed calls from Andre. I know he's probably nearly losing his mind because I haven't answered the phone, but I don't care. I'm done with him for good. I made sure he couldn't track me.

  I hopped in the shower and let the warm water run down my body. It felt so good to not have to wake up to Andre and his craziness. I just really need peace in my life. Last night, I did something I hardly ever do. I prayed. I normally don't pray because I just feel like God cursed me. I honestly think I need to try to enroll in school. I have to do what I have to do so that I can live and enjoy my life. I have to make a way cause I feel so sorry for myself right now.

  I heard a knock on my room door and my heart immediately dropped. I turned the shower off quickly and dried off. I put on the bathrobe and tied it up. It was so soft. God this a nice hotel. I walked to the door and looked out the peephole. I saw a dark-skinned guy standing there.

  "One second" I called out. I unlocked the door and peeped out. He turned his attention to me and smiled.

  "Hey, how are you doing," he asked as he looked at me from my head to my toes.

  "I'm good" I trailed off.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your stay. But I'm the owner of this hotel. My name is Lorenzo Woods" he said smiling as he extended his hand. I shook it. His teeth were so straight and white. He had on an expensive black suit and he looked good as hell.

  "Nice to meet you, I'm Nia. How can I help you" I asked.

  "Normally when people have an extended stay, I know ahead of time, but I just found out about you this morning. But I just want to say welcome and if you need anything, let me know" he said smiling as he walked off.

  "Um.." I trailed off.

  "Is there any way you could mark my reservation as private. I don't want anyone to know that I'm here" I said to him. He looked at me with worry.

  "Are you ok?" he asked. I nodded.

  "Y-Yea. I'm just coming through town" I said quickly. He stared at me as if he was trying to figure me out. I gave him an assuring smile.

  "Well yes, I'll have María at the front desk to do that right away," he said. I walked back into my room. I shut the door and sighed.

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  I grabbed the phone and ordered room service. I laid in the bed and watched TV until I heard another knock on the door. It sounded like someone was in a rush. I jumped up and looked in the peephole. I saw the same guy from earlier.

  "We have a problem. Some men are here looking for you" Lorenzo started to say as my heart started racing. How did Dre find me?

  "Are you in any kind of trouble?" he asked me. I'm guessing he saw the scared look on my face.

  "N-No. I'm sure they won't be back" I said to him as I tried to shut the door.

  "Two of them have been back here twice. I got them away for the rest of tonight, but they'll be back. I saw a tattoo on one of their necks, and I can tell he's a District Heights cat" he said to me. My heart started pounding faster. He needs to leave so that I can pack and get the hell out of here.

  "Nia, I don't know you, but you are a beautiful woman. And I grew up in these streets. I know that when you got dudes from out there looking for you, it ain't good" he said.

  "And when I came by earlier, I saw the bruises on your neck. And now, I see the worry and franticness in your eyes. You know who I'm talkin' bout. And if you tell me what's up, I can maybe help you get somewhere safe" he said. I sighed.

  "Why? What do you care? You don't know me. Just do your job" I said to him as I slammed the door. I quickly ran to my suitcase and started packing. I made sure I got everything.

  I opened my room door to see Lorenzo walking towards me. He pulled a sticky note off my door.

  - You can't run from me. I'll always find you.

  - Love, Dre

  "Did you do this?" I asked Lorenzo.

  "Nah, I went upstairs when you slammed the door in my face," he said as he read the note. Tears filled my eyes. I don't even know why I'm trying.

  "Is he your man?" he asked.

  "Yes, he was. And I'm running from him" I said.

  "I can protect you. Just come with me" he said as he walked towards the side exit door. I looked at him reluctantly.

  "Why should I trust you," I asked.

  "You got a better choice," he asked chuckling. I sighed and quickly followed him. He ran to an all-black on black Mustang. I got in and he quickly sped off down the highway.

  "Where are you from," he asked. I shrugged.

  "I've been living in District Heights with my ex for the last 3 years," I said to him.

  "So you grew up there," he asked.

  "Not really. I kinda grew up all over the place. I was in foster care" I said to him. He nodded as I stared out the window.

  "How a woman like you end up with a man like that," he asked. I looked at him and he stared at me as he switched lanes. I shrugged.

  "He just came into my life at a time where I needed him most. And looking back, I honestly see it as a mistake" I said to him.

  "Everything that happens to us in life always teaches us a lesson. You might not see it now, but you will in the future" he said. I mean, yeah that's true.

  "So where are you taking me," I asked.

  "To my crib," he said.

  "You don't even know me to take me in your crib. I might be some girl from District Heights who'll take everything you got since you act like it's the worst place ever" I said to him. He chuckled.

  "I didn't say it was the worst place. It's just I know dudes out there grimy as fuck. They hot-headed and dumb asses" he said. I nodded in agreement. He wasn't lying. He just described Andre.

  "But I'm trying to get to know you tho. And yes, I know you are a complete stranger, but I see that you're in trouble. And I know that if I don't help you, you'll end up dead. Dre ain't gone stop" he said as he pulled into a neighborhood.

  "How do you know him," I asked.

  "As I said, I know a few guys from that way. I've had a few encounters with him over the years. I have been hearing about him a lot lately. So I'd be less of a man to help a beautiful woman out" he said, smirking as he pulled into a huge ass gated house. He entered numbers into the gate and it opened. He pulled in and we got out.

  "Follow me," he said as he walked into the house. As I walked inside, I got breathless. His house was beautiful and neat. I love the marble floors and white walls and carpet. He had a black and white theme going on.

  "I'll show you to your room," he said as he walked up the long staircase. I followed as he walked into a huge room. The room had high ceilings with a diamond chandelier. The bed was huge and the room was nice as hell.

  "Make yourself comfortable and come downstairs when you finish," he said. I started to look around the room. I got situated and walked downstairs. Lorenzo was standing in the kitchen.

  "You good," he asked. I nodded.

  "Let's talk," I said to him. He motioned for me to follow him to the couch. We sat on the couch as he poured me a drink. I took a sip. I feel weird as hell for being here when I don't even know this man.

  "You look uncomfortable," he said. I smiled.

  "I want to learn about you and I'll tell you about me," he said.

  "You first," I said.

  "Well, my name is Lorenzo Denzel Woods. I'm 28 and I have no kids. I'm a businessman. I own a hotel and this nightclub downtown. I'm a hustler. I've always had that hustling mindset. I'm always looking for a new way to make money. I come from a good family, they kinda bougie tho. I have one sister and a brother. My parents are still here with me so I'm blessed for that. I'm an old timing guy and I'm laid back" he said to me. I nodded. I always get with the drug dealers.

  "So you're a drug dealer," I asked. He laughed.

  "I mean nah, not really. I used to sla
ng dope and shit back when I was younger, but now I make my money with stock and shit. I'm an investor" he said to me. I nodded. Well, that's better. I stared at him and he was indeed fine as hell. His smooth brown skin was glowing setting off his light brown eyes. He was very masculine and tall as hell.

  "What about your parents.. how are they?" I asked.

  "They cool as hell now. Me and my mom are pretty close. Growing up, we weren't tho. I was always the troublemaker. I used to be in and out of trouble every day at school. I hung out with the same homeboys I got now. We were hitting licks left and right until I went to jail when I was 16" he said.

  "What for," I asked.

  "We broke into some crib out in Ocean City and you know it ain't none but white folks out there," he said. I nodded.

  "But my homie, CJ, dropped his wallet and he was already in the car, and I was tryna get the last of everything to make sure we were all straight. And I went back for his wallet, then 12 came" he said to me as he swallowed his drink. Damn. I don't see how men's loyalty be so tight with their friends. I will not do any time for anybody, I don't care, sorry.