“John?” I question, fear running through me.
“You’re in pain. I can see it in your eyes, not to mention you screamed out when I moved the door.” His voice has a dangerous tone to it, but he doesn’t take another step toward me and I’m thankful for that. “Reli, you need to see a doctor.”
“I will, I’ll be okay, thank you very much for your concern.” I need him to leave, I want to lie down and rest. It hurts so much just standing here.
His eyes narrow but he nods. “I’ll leave you in peace now, but I'll see you soon. Can I have your number in case I need to contact you?”
I shift on my feet, feeling ashamed. “I'm very sorry, but I don't have a cell phone.” What seventeen-year-old doesn't have a cell phone?
Rage passes through his eyes. “Reli, after witnessing that abomination yesterday, I was curious as to why she hid you and then laid her hands on you. May I ask a question?”
I sigh, “John, you seem to have a lot of questions. If I don’t answer them, are you still going to ask?”
He smirks. “Yes.”
I shake my head. “Why?” I don’t understand why he is so interested.
“You intrigue me,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Mr Princeton…” I try, hoping that it’ll keep him at a distance. But it doesn’t work.
“John,” he corrects me.
I nod. “John, if you want to ask me questions, please come in. I really need to sit down,” I mumble, sounding pathetic
He takes a step toward me. "I have a better idea." His knees bend as he reaches for me. "I'm taking you to a doctor."
Fear courses through me. "No, John, please," I beg. "She won't allow it."
"Reli, you are almost eighteen; you can do whatever the fuck you like."
A pitiful laugh escapes me as he walks with me in his arms toward his car. "It's that easy?"
He shrugs. "It's that easy."
"You don't get it. I have nothing, absolutely nothing. No family, no money, no home. I'm here because Talia allows me to be. I have to earn my keep so I cook, cle
an, shop, and whatever else is required so I have a roof over my head."
And if I don’t do that, there’s consequences. I don’t say that out loud. I don’t want anyone to know about what’s happened in that house. Not all of it anyway.
He gently places me into the car. "That bitch hit you. I saw her do it." His tone has a dark edge to it. "Tell me, Reli, how often does she hurt you?"
I turn away from him, not wanting him to see the truth as to what happens between us. He runs back to the front door, closing it before coming back to the car. Sliding into his seat beside me, his fingers gently caress my face before he tugs my chin, turning my head to face him. "Tell me!" he demands.
I glance to the front, where his driver is sitting and without saying a word, a glass pane separates us.
"He can't hear you; please talk to me." His voice is soft, but he's confusing me.
I shake my head. "I don't know you. Why are you doing this?"
His fingers once again caress my face. "I’ve known you for as long as you’ve been alive. I met you mere days after you were born, and I was there for your mother’s funeral and your father’s. It was at your father’s funeral that I knew I wanted you. When I saw you in the store the other day, you looked so vulnerable. Then I saw those bruises on your neck and I knew something happened to you. When I noticed your bracelet, it gave me a chance to see you again."
I listen intently as he talks. I’m shocked that he seems to actually care. I haven’t had anyone care for me in a long time.
"I knew where you lived; I wondered if you had left. To say I was shocked to see your step-mom open the door is an understatement. When she told me that she and her two minions were the only ones in the house, I immediately called bullshit."
I laugh; minions is right. Both Zella and Anna do whatever Talia wants.