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Seven years, four months, and eighteen days. That was how long we’d been together. Max was the son of Barry Forman. A formidable and wealthy businessman. He owned quite a few properties in Providence and the surrounding cities in Northern California. His son had always been a bit arrogant and controlling but it wasn’t until this last year that I really noticed how vicious Maxwell had become and it was getting worse. I hardly had any privacy and I was constantly accused of being unavailable when he needed me. It was beyond strange.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized in a rush, hoping to keep his anger at bay. I didn’t want Max causing a scene in front of my sister or niece.
“Forgiven,” he answered quickly with a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I have plans tonight. You’ll be going out with me tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
Max leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Keep that phone close. I’ll be calling later.”
He released me and I nodded, sighing with relief when he left without another word.
“What the hell?” Charlotte asked, hands on her hips. “When did he get this bad?”
Shrugging, I didn’t know how to answer that question.
“Cara.” Worry was clear on her face. “He’s dangerous. I haven’t seen Max on edge like that before. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly.
She sighed. “He doesn’t hurt you, right?” She was staring at me with such concern that I couldn’t lie.
“A little.”
“You know that’s not okay. He doesn’t have the right to boss you around.” She seemed to be getting angrier and I didn’t want to have this argument right now. The day was long and exhausting.
“I know.” I picked up the bags that held dinner. “Hungry?”
Charlotte knew I was done talking about it tonight. “Yeah. I’ll check on Sophie.”
I plopped down on one of the chairs at the kitchen table and opened the bags, setting containers of salad, pasta, and garlic bread out. Since I was starving, I served my own plate and began to eat, knowing they would forgive me for starting without them.
My sister entered the kitchen a few minutes later, her voice concerned as she leaned against the wall. “Sophie has a fever.”
“Is she sick?”
“I don’t know but she says her tummy is acting funny.”
“Do you have any Tylenol?”
She shook her head. “No. We used it up last time she was unwell.”
“I’ll go to the corner market,” I volunteered, wiping my mouth with a napkin. “You want some popsicles too?”
“Yeah. She loves those when she’s sick.” I started to rise, and she shook her head. “Finish eating first. It’s not a rush.”
I finished and then stood, gesturing to the food. “You need to eat too. It’s getting cold.”
Charlotte made a plate and picked at her food, unusually quiet. She had far too many worries and responsibilities as a single mother. I tried to relieve that burden as often as I could, but I knew there were some things I just couldn’t change.
The night was warm and cloudless, the stars shining brightly down upon the city, partially disguised by the stores and shops, streetlights and sporadic cars on the road. I pulled up to the corner market and exited the car, pepper spray in hand. This wasn’t the greatest neighborhood, but it was what Charlotte and I could afford. We didn’t make much money and my new job was supposed to help clear our debt so we could buy a better place soon.
I worried for my niece. Sophia was only eight years old and she’d known a lot of hardships. As a single mother, Charlotte struggled to make ends meet. That was why I moved in with her instead of with Max. We both wanted Sophia to have a better life. Max said he understood but that was over two years ago. I had a feeling he wasn’t happy with that decision now.
The parking lot was dark, several of the streetlamps were out adding to the creepy atmosphere. I swear if I got mugged or raped out here, I was gonna lose my shit on someone. Maybe I should consider buying a gun for protection. Not that I knew how to shoot one.
Ugh.
I hated guns.
