AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. I’m not leaving you here.”
“I’ll be fine.” I straighten my back, faking strength.
“Do you really expect me to believe that?” Darragh gives me a once-over that knocks me off balance. “Change your clothes and let’s go. I’ll buy you more suitable ones.”
I have no idea where to go from here, but clearly, I need to gulp down my life in five-minute increments.
Right now, I need to get out of this jumpsuit.
When I have real clothes on again, maybe Darragh will see me as a capable human. Be more reasonable with me.
“I’ll… I’ll go into the bathroom and change.”
His cheek ticks in irritation, but he nods tightly.
“The window is too small for me to squeeze through.” I hold my stomach.
“Five minutes.” His eyes settle on my body, unnerving me.
After slamming the door in frustration, I lean against it. I want a shower so badly, but not with that sliver of dirty soap.
I strip out of the jumpsuit and shove it into the trashcan. I’m naked underneath and catch my hideous reflection. Boney arms and legs from not eating very much and a basketball for a tummy make me look like an alien.
I think of that girl on the plane two and a half years ago, flying to Vegas, in my white cashmere coat, five-hundred-dollar jeans, and expensive high-heel shoes. I bet my father could walk right by me today and not even recognize me.
Yet, Darragh knew me instantly.
I brush my teeth, squeezing the very last bead of toothpaste from the tube. A drop of mouthwash at the bottom of a trial size bottle saves me. I suck it into my mouth, desperate to taste something other than bile and regret.
Using a washcloth, I scrub my face with hot water, digging with the scratchy surface to strip my skin of any lingering memory of that jail cell.
With shaking hands, I reach for my makeup bag sitting lazily on the counter.
The pressed powder and blush are probably stale since I haven’t put any makeup on my face in more than a year.
A splash of toner, however, wakes up my skin. I manage one coat of foundation, amazed at how different I look in a matter of seconds.
The door flies open, and I jump back.
My brain doesn’t even tell my hands to cover my nakedness. My body doesn’t feel like mine.
Then something snaps, and with an ounce of my old self, emboldened by one flimsy layer of makeup, the fight in me returns.
“What the hell?” I don’t cover myself, though.
His gaze cuts me, and a hint of a grin tugs at his full upper lip.
“Five minutes is up.”
“Clearly, I’m not ready. Back off.” I reach for the dress, but when I step into it, I miss and nearly tumble over.
Darragh catches me, his warm fingers closing around my naked hip.
“Let me help you.”
“I don’t want your help,” I choke out. “Please, just give me enough money to get through to my next court date. You heard the lawyer. I can stay in a woman’s shelter.”
Darragh doesn’t answer me, just pulls the dress up past my legs and over my stomach.
