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We all love this woman more than anything. She was even there for Colton when he was a child, but he forgets that now that he’s daddy’s golden boy. He could have turned out just like Damien and me, but he saw the dollar signs and rolled away easily. It’s crazy how much money can change people. It poisons them and turns them into monsters.
When Nancy is out of earshot, I turn to Jared. “Are you and Nancy…?” I make a pairing motion with my fingers, and he bats my hands away.
“I like her. That’s all you need to know.” He smirks at me.
“You better not hurt her. I love you both, but that woman is where my loyalty lies.”
Damien and Jared laugh at me. “And after what I saw tonight, he will kill you,” Damien says nonchalantly.
I punch my brother’s arm, making him slosh his drink over the rim of the glass. “It’s good to see you, fucker. I need you right now.”
“And I’ll be here for as long as you need me. I don’t really want to visit you in the slammer,” he jokes.
And just like that, I know that someway, somehow, I’ll get through this ordeal, and I’ll make sure Kally isn’t hurt too badly in the process.
Whatever happens from here on in, I’ll heal her wounds and mend her broken heart.
Chapter 2
Kally
I can’t believe what has just happened. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom of the Collinson mansion. A few people have knocked on the door to use the bathroom, but I’ve ignored them. There are plenty of other bathrooms they can use in a house this size. I kick off my shoes and slide down the wall. I wish I could just fall into hell because even that would be better than the life I face with Colton.
I keep picturing Clark’s face, his rage, and it hurts. I’ve never felt pain like it before. It even hurt more than knowing my parents would allow such a thing to happen. I just can’t get my head around it all.
I try to think back to a time when things might have changed in my family, but I keep going around in circles. My mom and dad have always given me everything I needed and wanted. I had no inclination that things were so bad. They’ve been lying to me for God knows how long, and I don’t know what I hate most; the lies or what happened tonight.
My cell phone dings in my purse, and I scramble to get it from the counter. I wipe my eyes from the tears that I can’t stop now they’ve started and take out my cell.
Colton – You have five minutes to show yourself. Do NOT push my patience on the first evening.
I bang my head back off the door and fresh tears flow. I take in a few deep breaths and exhale slowly. I stand up and look at my reflection in the mirror. My make-up is streaked, my hair is all over the place, and I don’t look like myself. I take out the brush from my purse and straighten my hair. I wipe away the streaky mascara and reapply lip gloss. I wish my life was as easy to rearrange.
I pick up my cell and debate calling or texting Clark, but I can’t. I’m never going to be allowed to be friends with him now, and I would never want him to return to this lifestyle. I need to let him move on. It will only make it harder for both of us if I keep in contact. It’s better for both of us this way.
I throw everything inside my purse but keep a hold of my cell. I exit the bathroom and make my way back to the party. I’ve lost all excitement about turning eighteen. I never expected things to turn so sour tonight. I didn’t expect the party to be to my liking, but I was looking forward to being around Clark and Lyssa, kicking back, and enjoying another milestone… until this bomb was dropped on me tonight.
“There you are.”
I know who it is before I even turn around. Colton’s barking voice still makes my stomach churn. He snatches my wrist and drags me along the corridor and up the stairs. My heart is beating so wildly, and I’m petrified of what might happen away from a room full of people. At least downstairs he has to keep up the pretense.
I’m dragged into a room and the door is slammed shut behind me. I jump as the room seems to shudder under my feet. I’ve never felt comfortable around Colton—he’s completely different to Damien and Clark—but right now, I’m beyond terrified of him.
“I will not be made to look like a fool, Kally.”
“I won’t. I didn’t.” I start to shake my head, but Colton hits me across the face, and I stumble back into the door.
I don’t know why I’m shocked. I knew this was what I’d endure from him before too long. I guess I hoped he would allow me to get settled in before he showed me his true, evil side.
“You will remain up here for the rest of the evening. I’ll tell everyone that you’ve had too many glasses of fizz and had to lie down. I don’t want to see you back downstairs tonight.” He snatches my cell out of my hand. “You will have no phone calls unless I okay it. I’ll be keeping this.” He pockets my cell and pushes me away from the door. “You do nothing without going through me first, got it?”
I nod. “I need to get some clothes from my parents’ house.”
“You have everything you need here. Welcome home, future Mrs. Collinson.”
Colton storms out of the room and bangs the door again. I hear the lock click, but I try the handle anyway. It’s only now that I look around the room and notice some of my things from home are here. I open the wardrobes and drawers and study my clothes. Some are mine, but most of them are new. I finger through the material and shake my head. Not one item of clothing that’s new is me. It screams grandma.
I’ve got books on the desk, my Kindle on the bedside table, toiletries, and make-up on the dresser, but that’s it. No laptop, no phone, nothing to allow me to keep in contact with my friends and family. This room is going to become like a prison cell. The sad thing is, prisoners get treated better than I will be. They’ll get leisure time, computer time, contact with their loved ones. What do I get? A mansion full of hateful people.
