“Trust me, I won’t be here a second longer than I need to.” I turn away from him, which makes me want to slap myself in the face. If I’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s to not turn my back on this man.
He grabs onto my bicep, whipping me around and slamming me against the door. “You know, I don’t really like your tone.” He runs his tongue along his teeth, and I nearly gag at the sight. “You know what else I don’t like? You sendin’ your little guard dogs to pay me a visit.”
I swallow air. The room turns ice cold at the malice in his tone.
Last time I saw Jed was when he laid his hands on me. He beat my ass until it was welted and bruised. So painful I couldn’t even sit down. For what? Absolutely nothing. Logan found out… I’m not sure what happened, but it must have scared Jed away, because I haven’t seen him since.
“I didn’t tell anyone to do anything.” I growl.
“I should teach your friends a lesson, huh? Show that blonde boy who the real man is.”
Tears spring to my eyes.He doesn’t even know.
“Thatblonde boyis dead, you sick fuck. Now get away from me!” I attempt to shove him away, but he keeps hold of my arm in a bruising grip.
Then he cackles. “Oh, boy. He sure had what was comin’ for him, didn’t he?” He laughs again. “Maybe I should come back home, then. Make sure you don’t go fuckin’ around like some little slut.”
I spit in his face.
“You come in my house and I’ll gouge your eyes out in your sleep.”
He blinks, my spit sticking to his eyelids and dripping down his cheek. His hand flies to my neck, squeezing tight. “You little slut! I should bend you over and turn your ass purple.” His hand releases my neck, sliding down my front and cupping between my legs. He pinches, making me whimper. “Or I could bend you over and teach you another lesson.”
I swallow down a mouthful of bile.
“If you don’t release me, I’ll scream Lewis’ name so loud the mirrors shatter. Then I’ll get Richard Malone on your ass for thinking you can be some pedophile pervert. Release me.Now.”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing at the thought of having to deal with Richard Malone. He releases me, taking a step back and sneering. “I’m gonna get a drink. When I come back, you better be gone.” He steps close to me, breathing down his day old beer breath fanning across my cheek. “Or else you better start sleepin’ with one eye open, you little bitch.”
He walks through the door and towards the bar, leaving me in frozen terror.
I exhale a shaky breath, hating that I let a lowlife as bad as Jed get to me. How can I not? He’s been my nightmare for years, and his threats aren’t empty. He always follows through on them.
I move, making quick work up the stairs. Now more than ever I want to get this shit over with and go home. I’m stupid for even thinking for a second this is a good idea. But if there’s any chance at all that my mom will be able to help me, I’m going to need it.
Once I get to the top of the stairs, I knock on the door as I turn the knob.
“Mom?”
“Cara?” Her surprised voice comes around the corner.
I smile when she turns the corner. I just wish it wasn’t one-sided. Wearing an oversized Corona shirt and holey jeans, she looks just as much of a wreck as she always has.
“Hi, Mom.” I smile. I can’t help it. I haven’t seen her in so long, I just miss her. I want to hug her, but I don’t want her to question me about it, which I know she will.
“What’re you doin’ here?” Her annoyed tone doesn’t go unnoticed. My smile drops, and I frown.
“I wanted to talk to you.” Her eyes widen at me serious tone.
“About what? Where’s Jed? You know he ain’t goin’ to be too happy that you’re here.”
I roll my eyes. “I saw him. He’s at the bar.”
“Aw, shit. He said he’d wait for me.” She turns around and looks down at the floor. “Where the hell are my shoes?” She mumbles to herself. “You gotta make it quick, Cara. Jed doesn’t like to wait on me too long.”
I sigh, sad that just like always, Jed comes before me.
“Mom.” I say, tone shaky. She stops looking for her shoes and glances up at me. “What is it, Cara?”