In a swift, ruthless motion, he hoists me over his shoulder, my hands pounding against his back in protest. “Put me down!” I shout.
“Answer the damned question.” I feel his hand slide beneath me, gripping my ass and kneading it like dough, sending tremors spiraling through my body.
“Yes, I know who you are!” I scream, continuing to hit his back, desperate for him to set me down, but to no avail.
“Good, because if you know who I am, then you know that I always get what I want, right, Fallon?” The way he says my name drips with menace, a clear indication he means business.
Sliding his hand up my dress, he grips the waistband of my underwear between his fingers and yanks it down roughly, tearing the delicate fabric from my body and carelessly tossing it aside.
“In case I wasn’t clear enough, it’s you that I want, Fallon.”
He drops me onto the sleek black leather couch, leaning over me, tucking the check I initially sought into my cleavage as he positions himself atop me. His hand finds my throat, holding me in place with a grip that instills a fear unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, causing my struggles to falter.
“Good girl. This will be much easier if you don’t fight, but I won't mind if you do. I like feisty women.” The sound of his belt unbuckling makes me cringe, and I quickly squeeze my eyes shut, praying for this nightmare to end soon.
“Open your eyes, Fallon. I want you to watch everything I’m going to do to you tonight.”
My eyes snap open as his hands tighten around my throat, almost choking me. In that moment, I wish he would simply end it all…
one
a killer fuck
3 years later
Fallon
Clutching the shovel's handle, I sliced it across the sidewalk leading to my front door. Thick snowflakes fell relentlessly, transforming the city into a shimmering, pristine canvas.
Christmas carols, ice skating, and hot chocolate by the fire—memories that usually brought a smile to my lips. But today, the joy was short-lived. A brutal reminder of a Christmas nightmare from years ago swiftly erased it. It's an ever-present shadow, especially now. Without thinking, I glanced over my shoulder, checking for anyone watching as I cleared another layer of snow, wary of slipping on the ice.
A shiver ran through me, a mix of cold and unease. Was it the wind, or prying eyes? Either way, I couldn't be sure anymore. Foley, I was certain, was watching. I wouldn't put it past him. Everything changed that night, and my life has been a chaotic fucking mess ever since. It's not just a few things; it's everything.
The rumble of approaching plow trucks yanked my attention. They were bearing down on me, their blades aimed directly at where I stood.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" I yelled.
Dropping the shovel, I bolted up the treacherous steps of my brownstone, gripping the icy railing. As my boots finally reached the porch, the truck rumbled past, leaving a mountain of snow in its wake, bigger than what I'd just cleared.
"Motherfucker!" I spat. "That's it. I'm fucking done."
Defeated, I stomped the snow from my boots, pulled off my gloves, and tossed them on the porch swing, eager for warmth. Just as I reached for the front door, it swung open. My brother stood there, a warm smile on his face.
"Done fighting the snow, huh?" he laughed, cradling a steaming mug of cocoa. He stepped aside as I pushed past him, heading inside.
"Fuck off, Brady," I mumbled, shivering as snow dripped down my back. The heat hit my frozen body, somehow making it worse.
Snatching the mug from his hands, I took a long sip, savoring the chocolate as it warmed me from the inside out and the vodka burned going down. Starting up the stairs to lose myself in work, Brady stopped me.
"Disappearing already? Julian and I were going to bake Christmas cookies, and we were hoping you'd join." I spun around, glaring at him. Julian, oblivious, was engrossed in his tablet in the living room.
"You can't always use the kid to get what you want, Brady. That's not right," I whispered, trying to keep Julian from hearing.
"Come on, Fallon. It's not his fault he doesn't have a normal life. He loves doing things with you. The least you can do is make him happy." He instantly regretted the words; I could see it. "Shit. I didn't mean it like that, it's just, you know his situation and I'm doing the best I can. It would be nice if you could help me out."
I rolled my eyes, keeping them glued to the unsuspecting little boy on the couch, the one who didn't deserve any of the life's shit he'd endured. But my brother was right. The least I could do was be a good aunt to him. All my other issues could wait. I've waited this long for revenge. What's a few more fucking hours?
"Fine, Brady. I'll bake fucking cookies with you guys." He beamed, pulling me into a hug. "But let me put some dry clothes on first."
