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I spent years perfecting my mask, hiding from the world, keeping everything locked down.
But in no time at all, she’s pulled my mask away and can see everything I try to hide.
“Yeah, Pet. I’m good.”
“You’re lying,” she helpfully points out.
I open my mouth to argue, but my cell buzzes in my hand and my breath catches.
G: You got it.
40
ALANA
Kristie is in a bad way.
Her hands were battered and covered in blood when I let myself into her cell. She’s been physically clawing at the walls.
Thank fuck I didn’t see that when we checked the footage. It would have wrecked me to know that she was hurting herself while I wasn’t here to look after her.
She’d worn herself out though, and she allowed me to clean her up while JD kept watch of Daisy and Reid and Mav dealt with our cunt of a father.
“We got him, KK,” I whisper into the top of her head.
She fell asleep on me a while ago, before I managed to decide if she was strong enough to hear what we dealt with tonight.
“He’s not going to hurt you, or anyone else ever again,” I promise, finally feeling the adrenaline of the night draining out of me.
Finally, I lay her back and push to my feet.
I hate the thought of leaving her down here, but I know it’s for the best. Especially now that we’ve got Daisy upstairs.
“As soon as you’re over the worst of it and no longer hurting yourself, you can come back upstairs,” I tell her, sticking by the tough love that was enforced when Reid carried her down here. “Love you, KK,” I say, pressing a kiss to her clammy forehead and backing toward the door.
She doesn’t react, and I breathe a sigh of relief. If she tried to stop me from going or begged me to take her with me, I’m not sure I’d be able to stay strong.
“Tomorrow will be better,” I tell her before locking her in.
The basement is deserted and it makes my heart jump into my throat.
There is only one door other than Kristie’s that is closed. I’ve no idea what happened to the other inmates, but clearly, they’re not here anymore. Wherever they are, whatever he’s done to them, I’m sure they deserved it.
Coming to a stop in front of the closed door, I lift my hand and run it over the cover that stops me from seeing inside.
Do I want to…
Closing my eyes, I allow images of my past to flicker in my mind. I remember how he hurt me, how he stood by and allowed others to hurt me. I remember his cruel words, his rough touch, and his neglect.
“You’re only good for one thing. Just like your mother.”
I hear his voice as viscerally as if he’s standing behind me whispering it in my ear.
All the hairs on the back of my neck lift as a shudder rips down my spine.
The need to see for myself that he’s here, that tonight really did happen, becomes too much as I slide the cover aside and reach up on my toes to peer through the little window.
My breath catches at the pathetic mess of a man I find laid out on the cot.
