Description
"Get out of my house Jonas or I will throw another bottle and this time, I swear to you - I will not miss," Austin snarls. Marli whimpers at Austin's nasty tone. He tightens his grip on her and she buries her face in his chest again. Marli hears Jonas' shoes as he stomps down the passage then slams the front door shut as he goes. The house is now quiet, eerily so. The loss of Jonas has left an immediate impact. Marli feels a little lost without him and she knows Austin is feeling the same way. She wishes with all her heart that he lets go of her and runs after Jonas. But he does not. He stands still with his arms tight around Marli. "Go. Leave us," he says suddenly. Marli thinks for a second that he is talking to her but then she hears Lou's voice. "No. I need to make sure Marli is-" "I will not fucking hurt her!" his voice booms above her. "You are drunk, Austin. I don't trust you with her," Lou says. "Are you fucking kidding me? Lou, go -" Austin starts but cuts himself short when Marli pulls out of his arms a little. His nose is bleeding and his eyes are bloodshot. He looks a mess. "Austin, stop. She is just looking after me," Marli soothes then turns to Lou, "it's ok, Lou. Go," she says and offers her a smile. She is not afraid of Austin. Lou looks at her with an unsure face then shakes her head. "I will sleep on the couch. If I hear you harmed one hair on her head I am going to stab you in the fucking eye," she says then turns and heads to the lounge. Marli takes Austin upstairs and cleans the blood off his face, changes his clothing, and then helps him climb into bed. When she climbs in too Austin pulls her into him and holds her close to his chest as if he is afraid she will leave before he wakes up. "You know I would never hurt you, right?"
Africa
