“You dirty fucking whore. I bet you’d open your legs for them too. You want to let them use that old, dry ass pussy to give your man a promotion? I bet they’d make me president if I let them all fuck you, huh?”
I press my lips together, unable to stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. Not at his words. No, from the pain radiating from both my hip and cheek.
“Dumb cunt. You won’t even speak, will you? No, because you know your place.” He grabs me by the hair, pulling me up the stairs.
I go willingly. I always do. He can do whatever he wants to me as long as he leaves the children alone.
That’s when I hear it. The click of the door. My eyes fly to Tanner’s as he glares at his father.
“You’re hurting her. Leave her alone.” His little voice yells out.
I will him to go back into the room, to leave this to me.
Evan won’t let this go, though. He can’t. It’s a blow to his ego.
“What did you say to me, boy?” He sneers at Tanner.
Tanner is quivering, but he steps forward.
“Leave her alone.”
“Tanner, go to your room,” I hiss.
A smack to the back of my head has me seeing stars as I hit the floor. My nose is pouring blood from hitting the hardwood. I try to reorient myself quickly, though. I need to. Otherwise, Tanner will be hurt.
I’m not quick enough. I watch in horror as Evan grabs Tanner, punching him in the gut. My heart shatters as I watch my little boy cry in pain. I would do anything to take it from him.
So I pull myself up and clear my throat.
“Such a prick, picking on a child. What will your buddies think of you when they find out?” I ask him.
He drops Tanner, turning to me. He has murder in his eyes as he rushes forward. He grabs me, dragging me down into our room. As soon as the door slams, I let out a relieved breath. Whatever he does to me is worth saving Tanner. Always.
“I’m going to teach you how to obey, you little fucking whore.” I listen as Evan unzips his pants.
It’s the same thing every time. He will spend the next five minutes taking his anger out on my body. Then he will turn over and pass out.
I endure it until I hear his loud snores. Sneaking into the bathroom, I clean up before I head down the hall to Tanner’s room. Inside, I find him sitting in front of his closet, with tear stains on his face.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “We need to leave.”
“It’s not that simple,” I tell him.
He pulls out his phone, turning to show me what he recorded. It’s his father abusing me, but that’s not what scares me. It’s the fact that I don’t remember this particular instance.
“Tanner, life isn’t always black and white.” I try again.
“He’s going to kill you. You can’t leave me and Emily with him. He will kill us too,” he pleads.
I hate how brave he is being. He is far too perceptive.
“He only hurt you because you stepped in. I can handle it.” I try to reassure him.
He frowns. “When you are gone, he will hurt us too. We will say the wrong thing. If you die, we will be all alone with that monster.”
My whole world shatters with those words. He’s right, but I never planned on leaving them alone with Evan. Tonight was a close call. Tanner stepped in because he is now old enough to realize his father isn’t a good man.
