After last night and my shift at the hospital this morning, I’m beyond exhausted, not to mention very sore. Neither Leah nor I said a word about what happened inside the farmhouse. I heard her screams, and I’m pretty sure she heard mine. We talked and joked, pretending like the heirs to the God kingdom don’t own every breath we take.
One particular patient brightened my day; he regaled me with stories about his deceased sister. Apparently she and I are doppelgängers.
I sigh, dragging my feet along the sidewalk.Almost home.Well, the place where I sleep at night. It most certainly isn’t my home. I come to a halt, eyeing the unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. Deja is wherever she goes on the weekends, and everyone else is at church. Does my mother have company over? If Sheila finds out, she’s going to be pissed, big time.
I go inside the house with every intention of going straight to the basement. I have no idea what my mother is up to, and Idon’t want to know. My plan backfires the moment my eyes land on the two people sitting on the sofa.
What has she done?
“What?” Redmond chuckles and unfolds to his full height. “You’re not happy to see me?” He walks over to me and wraps his long arms around my body. I’m too stunned to speak or move.
“Don’t be rude, Zilphia,” my mother reprimands, coming to stand beside me. “Doesn’t he look handsome? He came all this way to see you.”
“But why?” I blurt out. He broke up with me, which was one of the happiest days of my life. What could he possibly want? And why come in person? He could’ve called or texted. I prefer to have never seen or heard from him again.
My mother looks at Redmond, a fake smile plastered on her face. “Could you give us a moment, please?”
“Absolutely,” he responds, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Take all the time you need.”
She digs her skinny fingers into my arm and drags me into the kitchen.
“You’re hurting me.” I jerk away from her and slam my purse onto the counter. “What’s going on? Why is he here?”
A conspiratorial gleam shines in her brown gaze. “Our prayers have been answered.”
“How?” I ask slowly.
What has she done? More importantly, what does she expect me todo? Whatever it is, I already know I’m not going to like it.
“By becoming Redmond’s lover,” she whispers excitedly. “You know how rich his parents are. Just keep him happy, and the money will keep coming. Imagine spa days, shopping sprees, and vacations. We’ll want for nothing.”
Redmond is an only child, his parents’ pride and joy, their miracle baby. They don’t monitor his spending, so it’s normal for him to drop a couple grand a week. Whatever he wants, he gets. If you ask me, I think they’re afraid of him. Still, I’m not on boardwith this plan even a little bit. And if Sandman were to find out, he’d kill us both. Very painfully.
“This is insane!” I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air. “I’m not going to whore myself to Redmond. I would sooner live on the streets.”
Her features transform into a granite mask. “You’re going to do exactly what I tell you to.”
I raise my chin. “No.” I’m through being her lapdog. Daddy destroyed himself trying to keep her happy. I will not follow in his footsteps. And though I’m not blameless, she’s the reason I turned on Sam.
“You ungrateful bitch!” she sneers, her palm cracking across my face. “You’re going to fuck him, and you’re going to fuck him good. Do you understand me?”
I hold a hand against my stinging cheek, realization dawning on me.Money was already exchanged. “How much did he give you?” She just glares at me, but her silence is answer enough.
“Redmond will be back to pick you up later. You’re spending the night with him. End of discussion.” She spins me around and shoves me forward. “Go.”
“Everything all good?” Redmond queries when we enter the living room.
“Perfect.” My mother beams. “Zilphia will be ready in a few hours. Why don’t you walk Redmond out, sweetheart?”
I practically run out the door, wanting to get him out of here as quickly as possible. He ambles past me and leans against his car, a self-satisfied smirk curling his lips.
“Are you still a virgin?” he asks, lecherous gaze raking over my body. “I’ve been wanting to fuck you for a long time, but you were just a tease.”
“We can’t do this,” I tell him. “Sam will kill us.”
His eyebrows furrow. “Who?”
“Samuel Hendricks,” I clarify, but his facial expression doesn’t change. “From high school. Remember?”
