“Isn’t it obvious?” He chuckled. “It’s a nursery. You didn’t spend much time in Lydia’s nursery, and I think it’s the reason you never bonded with her. But once we’re married, I want to continue our family, and you need to have a room you enjoy. What do you think?”
I couldn’t think. A voice was in my head, screaming,“No!”
I opened my mouth, but no words would come out. I stared at all the baby furniture. A crib, swing, dressers and tables. Soft blue pastels covered the room with little moons and stars. A room that was meant to be filled with love and excitement was one of pure horror to me. I shook my head and took a step backward.
“I—no. I don’t want this.” I found my voice, and my eyes finally flicked to Max.
“Want? Daisy, this isn’t about want. I need a son. I thought you’d like this.” He rubbed his face. “You’re impossible sometimes.”
“I’m impossible? When have I ever expressed interest in this?” I motioned to the room in disgust.
“When you came home with me from that clinic,” he spat. “Or have you forgotten our agreement?”
My mouth snapped shut as Max stormed over, grabbing my chin. He squeezed it, using it to shove me against the wall.
“I don’t know when this attitude developed toward me. When we got together, we agreed that we’d get married, and our family would grow as much as I wanted. You knew this and agreed. There’re no takebacks. I’ve given you your way for a long time. I let you sleep apart from me. I let you continue to dance. I even let you hang out with that cousin and security guard of yours. But I’m losing patience. I don’t know what you did with that Gatsby asshole, but it’s over. You will not make a fool out of me.”
As he spoke, he squeezed harder and harder. I whimpered, and tears sprang from my eyes, spilling down my cheeks onto his hand. He let me go and stared at his hand in disgust. He stepped back and shook his head.
“The only reason you’re not pregnant right now is that I don’t want a belly bulging out of your wedding dress. We need to have some fucking class.” He slammed his hand on the wall two inches from my head, causing me to flinch and yelp.
“I—Max…” I licked my lips. Courage swelled in my chest for a split second, and then I looked into his murderous eyes and instantly fell back. “This is a bit much. Shouldn’t I have a say in decorating a nursery?”
His anger subsided almost instantly. “I just wanted to show you the potential. The room is yours to fully change. If you don’t like the theme, pick another one.”
I gulped and nodded. “Okay.” The word came out in a tiny whisper. “I have to go.”
I hurried out of the room and flew down the hall, back to my own wing of the house. I slammed it shut, resting my back on the wood. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.
This has gone on too long, too far. I had to get out before he hurt me.
Steadying my heart and airflow, I stepped away and went to set the bolt lock. My hand froze mid-air.
He’d removed it. The holes where the screws had been were still there. Fear gripped me as I stared at them.
What did this mean?
Chapter 31
Gatsby
“She’s justas beautiful as I remembered. Actually, more so. She was glowing. I can’t wait for you to meet her.” I looked up from Brad Zoley’s ball sack and smiled at Hailey, the girl who brought him here.
“I’m so happy for you. Will she be at the party this weekend?” Her eyes flicked to Brad nervously. I turned my head to look at his face. His mouth was sealed with tape and he was sweating profusely, his beady little eyes bulging from their sockets. I pressed my tattoo machine to turn back on, returning to the canvas.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really told her about the parties, let alone our dinners.” I snickered. “I’ll have to ease her into that.”
“She doesn’t know?” Hailey leaned forward in her seat. “You’re not afraid she’ll be horrified?”
I inhaled deeply and placed my hand on the rapist’s ball sack, stretching the skin so I could continue tattooing. He screamed under the tape as my needle dragged against his skin.
“Maybe. There’s a lot I’ve kept from her. It’ll have to besomething we spend an evening talking through everything. I don’t want to focus on that quite yet. I’m still high from our reunion.”
“You should be happy!” Hailey nodded eagerly. “I am so happy for you too, Mr. Gatsby. Let’s talk about good things. What is on the menu?”
“Well, other than the obvious.” I paused to nod at Brad, then continued tattooing. “I think Jules said something about a carrot medley and a truffle Mac and cheese. He took your requests, didn’t he?”
“He did. He was so nice.”
