When dinner ends, Gigi pulls me aside, into the parlor where my confrontation with Justin took place. He was mad that she wanted to talk to me alone, but I kissed his cheek, faking it and assuring him that I’d be right back.
“Okay, Evie, tell me what’s really going on?” Gigi asks as soon as I close the doors.
“Nothing, Gigi. I just couldn’t turn him down anymore. We have so much history.” It’s excruciating lying to the one person I’ve never been able to before.
“You suck at lying. You don’t have a poker face, baby doll. Now tell your gigi what she can do to fix this.”
I shake my head. “There is nothing to fix.” She moves toward me, her aging body shuffling slightly, and I see that body splayed out at the bottom of her mansion steps because of Justin. I can’t lose her. “Please, just let it be, Gigi.”
She takes a deep breath, looks at me as if scrutinizing something important, before glancing toward the door. “If he’s hurt you, I’ll have him taken care of. Your papa told me there was a way one time. I won’t tell you more, but be assured, I’m here to protect you. Now, follow me to the car. I have a gift for you.”
Allowing her to take my arm, I lead her past Justin and out the side door where Clint waits with a small pet carrier.
“You needed something to make you feel like you weren’t alone when you’re studying.”
I investigate the crate, and this time I jump up and down like a kid. Plowing into Gigi, I wrap my arms around her as she laughs. In the crate is the tiniest white-and-gray fluffball Persian kitten with the bluest eyes.
“Thank you, Gigi,” I shout, and Clint now laughs, too. I hug them both, take my new little baby to my car, and place him in the back seat before waving as they leave.
“Are you trying to run off on me?” Justin corners me before I can return to the house.
“No, Gigi just gave me a gift.”
“Did you tell her?” Justin grips my arm tight, and I can’t help but yelp as he twists and squeezes my arm.
“No. Stop, Justin, you’re hurting me.”
“I’m going to hurt you, alright.” He backs me up to my car, and before long, his hands wrap around my throat, squeezing hard. “If I didn’t need you, I’d just kill you and get rid of your body. But I do need you. I’m going to have to fuck this fat-ass body.” He scans my frame while squeezing harder, and my breath stalls. I claw at his hands to stop him, but he won’t; he continues applying pressure until I’m about to pass out. Leaning in, he licks my cheek and sneers, “But I’ll be the first and only cock to ever get into your body. Play nice, and I might make it fun for you too.” He releases me and steps away.
I gasp and drop to the ground, trying to draw air into my burning lungs. Standing when I can, I turn toward the house to go say goodbye to my parents when Justin grabs my arm again.
“Don’t you fucking go back in there. They’ll see my marks on your neck. Are you fucking stupid or something?” He smacks me hard, and my lip splits as tears spring to my eyes. “I’ll tell them you had to get back to campus. Now go. Be a good girl, Evie,” he mocks before I close the door on him. I hate that phrase.
Driving away from my parents’ house, my heart is in my throat. My eyes sting from the tears, blood drips from my split lip, and it’s now crystal clear that I’m trapped. What am I going to do?
I call my parents after crossing the bridge, tell them I love them, and I’m sorry, I must study.
“That’s what Justin said. Are you okay, sweetheart?” my mother asks, and with no easy answer, I hold back the sob as more tears drip down my face.
“I’m just tired, Mom. I’ll see you on Saturday with Dad, right?”
“Yes. We’ll see you then.”
I stop on the side of the road before entering Eastport and cry for an hour. To keep my family safe, I must do this. For years, it was apparent that Justin could become abusive; he just withheld it until now. He’s no longer keeping that part of him hidden. I’ve sensed his evil. It’s been awakened, and I’m scared.
Pulling into my parking space at my off-campus apartment complex, I shut off the car and glance over at the kennel with my new, little fur baby. I didn’t even think of getting him food or anything.
Inside my apartment, I immediately lock the door before opening the kennel and lifting the kitty out. He’s so cute and sweet. I’ll call him Cassini, after the renowned fashion designer who dressed Jackie Kennedy when she was first lady, and even afterwards when she became an Onassis. He perfected the “Jackie Look” and inspired me while researching designers years ago.
I cuddle with the kitten as I set up a DoorDash delivery from the local pet store, then head to the bathroom to inspect the damage to my face. My lip is swollen, and Justin is correct, his handprints bruise my neck. Hiding all of this will be challenging, but I’ll figure out a way. For tomorrow’s classes, I can possibly wear an outfit I’ve been designing. Practice, however, I might just have to call out or hope they fade enough that no one notices.
By the time Cassini’s supplies are delivered, and I’ve done some studying, I’m worn out and fall asleep with nightmares of Justin killing me.
Judge
* * *
After dropping off my sister and arriving at the Shiver of Chaos clubhouse, I’m exhausted and ready for sleep.
