I almost call Salinger, then I hesitate and call Jess.
My friend picks up on the first ring. “Hey, girl! Oh my gosh, you would not believe this meeting. What a shit show!”
“Jess.” My voice cracks. “I’m in trouble. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bring you into this, but I need help.”
I tell her in a hushed tone what’s been going on, finally coming clean.
Jess is furious. “Oh hell no!” My friend is ready to throw hands over the phone. “I’m coming to get you right now.”
“No, I can’t have you involved.”
“Too freaking bad.” I can hear her slamming things in the background. “Oh, Mandy, I wish you’d told me sooner.”
I wipe away the tears, trying to keep my cries muffled. Lauren’s room is right next to mine.
I lower my voice to a whisper. “I just need a place to stay until I figure it out.”
“And poor Pepper! I’m going to the pound as soon as they open Monday morning, and they are going to give me that dog.” Jess is already making plans. “Don’t worry, Mandy. We’re best friends. I got you.”
“Thanks, Jess,” I murmur. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Of course you do! And Jaxon deserves a bedbug infestation. Get a bag together. Meet me at the Five Guys on Eleventh. You need a cheeseburger and fries. We’ll figure it out.”
As quietly as I can, I pack up my belongings, listening for movement in my sister’s room.
Can I really leave Lauren, Amy, my parents, and my grandmother to Jaxon’s devices?
I hesitate, head pounding.
Maybe I shouldn’t. What if Jaxon does something horrible to my family? Even if he does, can I really protect them? I couldn’t protect Pepper or myself.
I need to leave. This could be my last chance. I’ll strategize with Jess and figure out a plan.
My hand pauses on the door handle, then I decide I should go out the window. It’s a split-level home, so it’s not that far of a drop.
Outside, the moon is a half circle, the silvery light shining into my bedroom.
I toss my bag outside, and I’m trying to work up the nerve to squeeze myself through the window when suddenly I’m being yanked backward onto the bed.
I struggle, trying to scream, but a hand is pressed over my mouth. Jaxon twists my wrist as he forces me down onthe bed. He’s lost the charming demeanor from earlier in the evening. Now there’s something horrible in his eyes.
I can’t make more than a whimper as I try to fight him off.
“Thought you could run away? You trying to go back to him? What did I say? He doesn’t want you. Look at yourself. I’m doing you a favor, and you disrespect me.” Flecks of spit land on my face. “Don’t you get it, Mandy? Don’t you see? You’ll never escape me. I own you, I—”
A shadow appears in the window, blocking the moonlight.
“What the—” Jaxon doesn’t get the last word out as Salinger’s fist connects with his jaw.
Jaxon screams like he’s being murdered.
Maybe he is.
Shit.
“Salinger, no!” I force myself up.
Salinger’s completely unhinged. His normally perfect hair is in his face. Jaxon elbows him in the nose, and he doesn’t even seem to register the pain.
