My face drops.
“Shit,”
Yes, there are messages left from Corden, Deena and Piper. But it is the ones from my father that have me grabbing my things and quickly leaving as quietly as possible.
I feel my eyes burn with unshed tears as I run barefoot through the empty house and through the north wing towards Hastings. My focus lingering on the hidden passageway, covered by the mysterious gothic golden mirror. I never told my father about finding the codes left by Marlowe, I had too much on my mind. No wonder he is so pissed.
Hopefully if I get back to my room and give him a call, telling him about the code and the passageway, he won’t come by and force me to give up Piper’s information.
I am shivering and my toes are numb by the time I successfully get to the stairway to my room without seeing anyone. On a good day, it would be too early for the other students, but after last night there will be a few sore heads this morning.
I unlock my door, ready to head straight for my bed, when my phone buzzes dragging my focus away as I let the door close behind me.
I start to type out an apology, but a voice has my blood running cold.
“So instead of doing what I put you here to do, you are busy off spreading your legs for someone,”
My attention snaps to the chair by my desk and widen at the sight of my father. He is sat with his leg crossed over the other, suit crumpled slightly and a furious look on his face.
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out as he stands to his full height. His hands rubbing down the front of his jacket as he cracks his neck to the side. I feel my shoulders drop. There is no use in defending myself when he gets like this, unfortunately I have seen it a thousand times, and each time ends the same.
“You would think the promise of money and freedom would keep you focused, but here we are,” He steps up to me, his overly polished shoes practically on top of mine.
“I have been sat here most of the night waiting for you to get back. Every hour giving me more time to think of what I want to do to you,” The lifting of his hand making me flinch, but he just smiles as his finger runs down my cheek. “Anything new to tell me?”
I pause. It’s a little too long for his liking. His other hand lifts fast as he back hands me, the force making my neck crack along with the blood flooding my mouth from my inner cheek.
I ignore the pain and make sure I put space between us, putting myself in a fighting stance and clocking his every move for the next attack.
He snickers, “You try this every time Ruella, but even after all those classes, you still aren’t strong enough to stop me,” He starts to movecloser, and I back up, cursing when my t-shirt meets the wood of the door.
“Now, do you have anything new for me?” He repeats and I decide I am done. Nothing I do will ever be good enough for him. Even now after everything, I think there was a part of me that hoped if I found out where Marlowe is he might start to see me different, start to see my worth. Yet, no matter what I do, this man will never want me or love me. I am done living like this.
“No,” I say with hatred oozing from my veins.
“Well, that’s disappointing Ruella,” He rolls the gold ring on his middle finger.
“Fuck you,” I shout, my hand shoots out and I manage to punch him in the face. His head tilts back and he lets out a condescending laugh, lifting his hand to wipe the smidge of blood away from his lip.
I go to hit him again, but he grabs my fist, twists and punches me in the ribs. The act knocks the breath from my lungs as I bend over. The pressure in my side making me almost pass out. He grabs me by the throat and smashes me into the door, my vision going blurry as I claw at his hand tightening around my airways.
He comes into my face, the smell of stale cigars and peanuts wafting from his mouth makes my stomach roll.
“Now, you are going to take your punishment and then in three days’ time you are going to hand over those documents. All of them,” He scowls. “Got it?”
I stay silent. I will hand over the documents, but Pipers will not be included. I will never put her on this man’s radar. I mentally give myself two weeks to come up with an escape plan, one that doesn’t include my father and might allow me to keep Asher.
Asher.
He fills my thoughts and I let every memory and feeling wash over me as my father starts his punishment. With every punch I remember Asher’s caresses, with each feeling of helplessness, I remember his safe arms. In some way I know I will be okay.
And when I pass out, it’s not with my father’s vicious face being the final thing I see like usual.
It’s Asher.
***
There is a pounding on my door and it won’t stop. It drags me from my uncomfortable sleep, my head already pounding without the added assault on my ears.
