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I don’t know what to think. How to feel. All I know is I need to get out of here.
I run out of the bedroom without looking at any of them, fleeing for my own room and slamming the door. I tear the flimsy garment away from me and throw it on the floor, stepping on it on my way to the dresser, where I quickly pull on a hoodie and a pair of leggings. After that, I grab my backpack and jam in as much as I can. It’s the best I can do in a hurry, and I am definitely in a hurry.
My brain never stops turning the entire time. I hear them down the hall, still arguing, with James defending himself while his sons back him up. I would say I can’t believe it, but that’s not true. I wouldn’t put anything past them. It’s like they rehearsed the whole damn thing. Like they had their excuse already and waiting just in case we ever got found out. And, of course, she didn’t believe me. Why would she? She never has. From the beginning, she’s been sure I would ruin this relationship for her.
And the thing is, even now, after she’s rejected me and basically kicked me out of her life, I still want to warn her about who he is, how he is. I seriously doubt I’m the only person who brings this out in him. Eventually, those dark needs of his will have to be fulfilled. Either he does it with her or somebody else—either way, this isn’t going to be the last time a situation like this happens. Even though she’s hurt me more times than I can count, I really hope she’s not the one he decides to hurt.
Once I’m sure I have everything that matters, I put on my shoes and listen at the door to see what’s happening now. I don’t want to run out into the hall and come face-to-face with her. I don’t even want to know what James has told her since I left the room, but I imagine it’s much worse. God, how can he live with himself? And how can his sons live with themselves, for that matter? Lying the way they did. They know damn well how I ended up with this stupid tattoo, but they’re willing to pretend it was my idea, that I’m obsessed.
The hallway is empty, thank god. I take off running, dashing down the stairs with my backpack slung over one shoulder. At least I get to leave. I don’t know where I’m going, but I have a little bit of money in the bank. I can figure things out once I’m away from here.
But the sight of my two worst enemies standing in the driveway makes me stop short and backpedal a little. Nix is standing at the open driver’s door to the truck while Colt steps forward, closer to me. “Come on.”
“Go to hell,” I fire back. “Like I would go anywhere with the two of you—you fucking liars. You sick fucking liars.”
“Get in the truck,” Colt growls. “Or I’m going to put you in it.”
“You know where you can put your truck? Right up your ass. See how you feel.” I begin to walk around him in a wide arc, but of course, it does me no good. He picks me up and unceremoniously dumps me in the back of the truck before slamming the door. By the time I sit up and reach for the handle, Nix has already engaged the locks.
“This is kidnapping, you assholes. What, do you want to add that to your list of crimes? It wasn’t enough to rape me. Now you have to fucking kidnap me? I bet this is your father’s way of keeping me quiet forever, isn’t it? Are you supposed to take me somewhere, leave me there to rot?”
“Are you finished?” Nix mutters as we drive away from the house. I don’t bother looking back. I’ll never see it again, anyway. Not once they’re finished with me. Considering everything that’s happened, I don’t think the idea of them murdering me at their father’s command is that far outside the realm of possibility.
It’s not a very long ride, but it’s a silent one. I don’t say another word until it’s clear they’re not taking me out to the woods or anything like that. No, in fact, we’re rolling through a cute little college campus with pubs and shops sprinkled around the outside. People are all over the place, wandering in and out of restaurants and cafés, hanging out at tables on the sidewalk.
This is where I’m supposed to be starting school. Not for another few days, but this is the place. “Why are you bringing me here?” I finally have to ask.
