I was too weak to stop it, too weak to report it to the police that night. Too stupid to see the lies. Jason’s right—”
“The hell he is,” I cut her off. “That is not weak or naïve. That is the very fucking definition of strong. And your brother and dad will think so, too.”
“I can’t. You can’t. He can’t,” she stammered and I realized my mistake.
I shouldn’t have brought Jasper into the mix. Not yet. Not until I understood why she’d never told him. I had my suspicions and I figured they were good ones. She’d said she didn’t want him to get into trouble but it had to be more.
“Why not?”
“Why not?” she breathed.
The shaking stopped and her body grew taut.
I would find that was my second mistake. And the stillness was the calm before the storm.
Because seconds later, all hell broke loose.
27
It was out.
And just like I knew would happen, I couldn’t shove it back down.
“Adalynn.”
“No.”
My hands came up and I vaguely noted I was out of bed and I didn’t understand how that came to be.
I’d been safely tucked next to Trey, now I wasn’t.
I was cold and alone.
Terrified I couldn’t shove it back down.
Say it, Adalynn. Keith’s harsh voice assaulted my mind. Say it. Tell me how much you want it.
“Addy, baby, you’re scaring the fuck outta me. Please come here.”
“No.”
Say it, bitch.
I didn’t want to say it. I couldn’t say it through the pain that had exploded after Keith had backhanded me. So I didn’t say it.
But he didn’t care.
He never cared.
He just took it.
And my mind drifted.
“Jesus Christ.” Trey’s voice cut through my memory.
Escape. Run.
I turned to do just that but strong arms wrapped around my middle.
Don’t walk away from me. You don’t ever get to walk away from me.
My foot connected with his but he didn’t release me. He never did. Keith always got what he wanted. Always.
“Let me go.”
“Baby, I can’t. I’m afraid you’re gonna hurt yourself. Please calm down and tell me what’s happening.”
Tell me how much you want it.
Tell me.
“I won’t tell you. I’ll never tell you.”
The arm around my middle got tighter and I twisted and fought until I broke free. I dashed to the door but Trey was faster and blocked my only way out.
No escape.
“Come back to the room, Addy. It’s me and you, honey. Just me and you. I’m not gonna hurt you. I’d never hurt you, I love you, honey. Please let me help you.”
You know I love you, Adalynn. I love you so much you drive me crazy. I love you so much you make me lose my temper.
“You don’t love me.”
Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe.
I had to shove it back in. It was too close, clawing up my throat, almost there.
This was all wrong. Everything was wrong. I had to beat it back before it was too late. Everything would be ruined.
I was ruined.
You think you can leave me? You think I’d let you walk away from me?
Another slap. More pain.
I’ll ruin you before I let you leave me.
“No!” I screamed.
But I didn’t scream then. I didn’t fight because I knew it would hurt worse if I did. I was weak.
My vision cleared and my gaze landed on Trey, still in front of the door but with his phone to his ear. “Yeah, Emily, it’s Trey.”
Oh, no!
No. No. No.
“Don’t!” I shouted.
“Yeah, that was Addy. I need you at my place.”
There was a pause and his pain-filled stare held mine. I ignored the fear I saw, I ignored the worry, I ignored everything.
“Please, don’t.”
“Jasper’s on the visitor list at the guard gate and the back door is unlocked. I know he’s coming with you but he doesn’t come upstairs. Only you.”
My dad.
No.
“I hate you!” I screeched.
“One more thing, and I want this crystal clear. This ends for Addy tonight. And when it does, she’s not leaving my sight. Right now, she needs her mom, probably needs her sisters, too. And, Emily, brace.”
“It was over,” I told him. “It was over and now it will never be. You ruined everything. Everything.”
How could he be so calm?
My life was over.
Everything was ruined.
“Thanks. See you soon.”
Trey tossed his phone on the dresser and just stared.
“I fucking hate you.”
“No, baby, you don’t. We’re gonna get it all out and when we do, it won’t be able to hurt you anymore.”
“My dad will kill him.”
Trey’s face turned to granite and he squared his shoulders when in a low, terrifying growl he said, “And he goddamn well should. That motherfucker