“Do I even have a choice?” I whispered.
“There’s my girl,” he laughed. It wasn’t genuine, it was the slurry sound of a man who’d had one too many. The possessiveness polluted Dane’s earlier praise. I could see his eyes crinkled at the corners as he flashed his panty-dropping brilliant smile because he was feeling good. There was a slurping sound, and he groaned before clearing his throat. I closed my eyes and did everything I could to keep myself from crying.
“What do you need?” I asked as calmly as possible. I’d rather die than let him know he got to me.
“Piki mai Fale i le malae va’alele.”
“Fale,” I whispered, and the name tasted like ash.
My knees gave out, the edge of the mattress the only thing keeping me upright. He knew exactly where the armor was thinnest. Images of a long-haired, tanned-skinned little girl flooded back—sticky handprints on my jeans and the way she used to sneak into my room when her parents fought.
He wasn’t just asking for a ride to the airport; he was holding a child over the ledge to see if I’d catch her. He knew I’d never let her stand at a terminal alone, searching for a brother who should have been here. The ‘no’ died in my throat before it could even form.
His family wasn’t the richest, but there was a time when they took me in. His dad has loved and treasured me, like only a father could. After I lost my dads, I never thought I’d get that again. I hated that after all this time, I would see Fale again. He didn’t call because he needed me; he called because he knew I’d give her my room, a bed, and food for however long she needed.
“When does she come in?” I asked.
“Oh, fuck,” he groaned. My nose wrinkled up at the sound. “She comes in … tomorrow.”
“Can you stop what you’re doing and focus?” I hissed.
“Watch your tone with me,” he warned. He was getting to me and I hated it. This is what he wanted, and I was freaking giving it to him.
“Why are you ruining a good night?” he groaned.
“Look. I’m not trying to pick a fight,” I said, careful to keep my voice down. “I’m asking for just a little bit of respect.”
“Respect?” He scoffed.
“Forget I said anything,” I said.
“Nah, nah, nah. You’re the one who brought it up. Let’s talk about this respect you’re asking for. Did you ever respect the choices I made as your man? I had to beg for physical attention, but you never did your fucking job! And when we lived withyourMother, I had to bow to her. I’m not supposed to bow to anyone!”
The stupid tears streaked down my cheeks and my body trembled. “I changed for you. You knew what I’d been through, but it didn’t matter to you. You took from me until I had nothing left to give,” I said, my voice cracking. I closed my eyes and pushed out the scenes that replayed from my childhood.I would not go there, not now, not fucking ever.
“Ae kae!”Eat shit.The words rolled off his tongue. “Your body belonged to me. Don’t try to act like you didn’t like what Ihad to give, Vee. I stayed by your side when I should of left a long time ago,” he spat. The tears continued, but I refused to sob.
“But you didn’t leave, did you?” I whispered. It was petty of me, but I hated feeling like a loser.
“Ua ou fiu ia te oe.”I’m done with you.“See? This is the shit she does,”He laughed, talking to someone else. The slurping sounds continued, and I felt a mixture of shame and disgust.
“I told you to leave. Stop lying to yourself. I left you,” I hissed. Even though he wasn’t here, I still flinched. That’s how deep his hold went. I’d seen him at his lowest, but I still let his words get to me.
“Let’s not forget that you avoided what I asked earlier. I may have cheated on you, but you did it first,” he spat. “I’ll send you the details on Fale’s flight. Pick up my fucking sister, or so help me, Vera. I’ve got better things to do. Would you like to stay on the line and hear me fuck a girl that knows how to handle me?”
“Fuck you, Amos.” Then I hung up on him.
Holy Alpha
It was a new day. Despite my puffy eyes and swollen face, I was optimistic. He wasn’t here to make my life hell. I rolled onto my stomach and snatched up my phone. I swiped the list of Snarl notifications, tapped the phone icon, and hit 1. One ring and she picked up.
“Why are you up, whore?” Ami asked. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.I’m such a weak bitch.
“Oh, nothing. Just the same old shit,” I said, leaving the phone on the side of my face.
“Fucking hell. What happened now?” she asked.
I caught her up on my Snarls with Dane and she cringed, doing her signature seal slap. I continued on about how big he is.
