Some people really are pieces of shit.
“It’s not my problem,” he says, shrugging.
No, it’s mine. It’s my problem and poor Sarah is collateral. I’m about to combust. From having to be the bad guy to a single mum, to the meet with Sergei. His eyes on Lilliana. Her panic attack. Her shaky hands. The anger seeps through me begging for release.
I settle for the wrench. It’s big and feels cold and heavy in my hands, just like the inside of my heart right now.
In one swift move I swing, striking the mechanic’s face. The crack is loud, and teeth and blood splatter across the floor. He drops to his knees with a guttural scream, holding his mouth with both hands.
Dante doesn’t move. Lenny flinches.
“Get out your phone.” My voice doesn’t waver, it’s filled with disgust and fury. “Your fingers work for now. Message your dropkick cousin and tell him a customer’s paying with a kilo of coke and you need help to move it.”
He looks up, face covered in blood, and watches as I put down the wrench and pick up a screwdriver. That’s all the motivation he needs. He takes his phone from his pocket and messages his good-for-nothing cousin.
“Lenny, watch the door,” I order, and he takes his position.
It doesn’t take long until a message tone sounds and the weeping man on the floor looks up. “He’s on the way.”
9
Lilly
Fivethousanddollarssitssnug in my pocket, courtesy of Ren. With that money, there’s enough to get everything I need. Back in the day, it would just cover a cute pair of shoes and matching handbag, but these days, it’s enough to get me out of Sydney.
That’s why when Tommy asks where to, I tell him straight to Double Bay. The boutique shops are impressive, but that’s not why I want to go there. It’s because the lingerie store changing room is right next to a fire exit that leads straight into an alley. That alley leads to a road, and hopefully that road leads to my freedom.
That’s what I’m betting on, anyway.
There’s only one problem. If I don’t make it out, and get in trouble for trying to flee, the trip could end early and I’d have nothing but sexy underwear to return with.
That cannot happen.
So, I quickly corrected myself and directed him to the closest mall first. I practically had to drag Tommy into Target, but I started talking about tampons and that ended his whining quick smart. Turns out shopping with Tommy is actually fun, and we’ve managed to narrow down the prospects on his dating app to one lucky girl.
It won’t stop me from using his weakness, which is girls, to get away. But I would feel bad about it, even if no one seems to care about my feelings. I still don’t like to knowingly hurt someone or use them. But when it comes to survival, it’s in my blood to do what is necessary.
I brought enough basic amenities to get me through the next couple of days and out of this dress and Ren’s shirt. After that, I’m left with a decent escape fund. If all goes well today, I’ll have enough to get to the airport and on the first plane out of here.
When we arrive in Double Bay, I direct him to the store, and we pull into a parking spot across the street. My stomach flutters as I stare at the sign in the window. The fear I use to know so well creeps up my spine. The fear of getting caught. This plan only works when I have one man on me. That happened with Sergei a few times when I played along as the dutiful fiancé and my freedoms loosened up.
Memories of what would happen when I came home haunt me. I remember how he enjoyed making me model my purchases for him and how he made me feel when we made love. The monster would disappear and the man that swept me off my feet would return. He would be sweet and kind, but he'd also devour me with his eyes, and make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
That’s what’s hard to remember, and difficult to reconcile in my head. Sometimes he made playing along enjoyable. Even though every part of me hated him, I needed to convince him I wasn’t a threat. That meant dancing a fine line between succumbing and acting the part. But the devil always returned with a sadistic desire for more punishment.
“You gonna sit there all day?” Tommy waits with one foot out the door.
“Huh?” I shake my head and glance up at him. “Oh, yeah.”
Come on, Lilly, get it together.
I slip out of the car and take control, leading the way. When I stop in front of the store, Tommy looks up and beams from ear to ear, then a frown saps his smile.
“Lilly, you’re gonna get me killed.” He shakes his head. “I can’t take you in there.”
“Come on. You’re not coming into the change room with me. Just sit inside and enjoy the show.”
The heavens must be on my side. A tall, gorgeous red-haired woman walks by, and toward the store. When she opens the door and walks in, she looks back at Tommy, checking him out.