It was only one side of the story, and she obviously had a few screws loose, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt to hear that my father had an affair. I know he loved my mother but cheating was wrong, no matter the circumstances.
Was it a mistake?
Some may think I was crazy for saying this and if you asked me before Christmas, my answer may have been different. But my answer now was no. The reason for my answer…
Because if my father hadn’t been with Lena, Paxton wouldn’t exist.
And even after only four months, I adored my big brother.
If I could change anything about the past, it would be for him to have gotten to know our father. From what Lena was maniacally spouting off about, she had made him never come back at one point since, in her words, he was staying with the bitch that was my mother.
Her cruel babbling caused more fury to bubble up inside of me until I couldn’t hold it in any longer, and I exploded. “Don’t you dare talk about my mother that way!” My head felt as if it was going to explode with my outburst but I didn’t stop. “ I don’t want to hear your bullshit!”
Pain radiated through me when her foot connected with my already sore side. My body felt bruised and beaten up a bit. Probably not only from the drug she’d given me, but also from how she had managed to get me out of the car and into this God-forsaken room.
I tried to curl my knees up more and cover my head with my arms so that if she struck again, I was protected. Her light flicked on and shined in my eyes causing me to squeeze them shut.
“Don’t talk back to me you little bitch. You’re good for nothing mama obviously didn’t teach you to respect your elders!” she shouted as she began to pace back and forth.
She was mumbling incoherently and then she flicked off the light, drowning me in pitch black once again. Her footsteps retreated away from me and the door opened. Before she shut it, she barked, “Next time I come back we’ll be finishing this.”
When the door slammed I winced.
So far, besides being drugged and the kick, I’d fared okay, but her mumbling was getting faster, more slurred, and the pacing had quickened. Her temperament was deranged and sinister. I could tell she was becoming more agitated. I’d yet to see the gun again but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t use it.
It wasn’t like me to not fight but my heavy limbs hadn’t wanted to cooperate because of whatever she had running through my system. Her words about coming back to finish things echoed in my head. I couldn’t just lay there and do nothing.
My body shook as I weakly pushed myself to my hands and knees. Just that had me exhausted, the effects of the needle she’d stabbed into my neck still lingering. Blowing out a breath, I crawled slowly around the pitch-black room, cautiously seeking any way out or for something I could use as a weapon if needed.
Frustration and defeat sat heavily inside me when I found nothing.
Breathing heavily from exertion, which was pitiful since I’d barely moved and very slowly at that, I attempted to make my way back to the same place I’d lain before so when she came in she wouldn’t notice I’d moved.
After lying back down, I curled into myself and my mind drifted straight to Bodie.
I wanted my husband.
Taking a risk, I fumbled with shaky hands to pull my phone back out to look at it. I sucked in a breath and my lips trembled as I fought for control. It was no use, I couldn’t contain the sob that tore from my throat at the message that filled the screen.
Bodie: I love you too, baby. Stay strong and hang in there. I’m on my way.
He was coming, I just had to hang on as he said.
* * *
This is it.
When I heard rustling coming from the other side of the door, I worried time had run out. Lena had said the next time she came that we’d finish things. I knew she was planning a way to get the money my parents left me, but if she succeeded, then what?
The woman wasn’t in her right mind.
What was taking her so long to get in? I knew she locked the door, I heard the finality of it each time she'd come and go, knowing I couldn’t escape. But even then, she had busted in quickly.
The anticipation had my pulse speeding up.
As the door creaked and a slender line of light spilled through, I willed my mind and body to not fail me when the time came and I needed to strike. But when the door opened further and a large shadow stood silhouetted in the entry, a whimper escaped me.
She brought help.
