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THEN
CAT
“Idon’t trust him, Cat. There is something off about the way he looks at you. As if you’re a possession. He attacked your cousin, for fuck’s sake. That is not normal. I think you need to take a step back. Going away to your grandma’s for a few weeks is what’s best.” I wipe the tears from my eyes and bite my lip. I am tired of this argument. Rex was just protecting me. He didn’t know David was my cousin.
“Please Dad, don’t send me away. We are always moving. You promised me I could finish high school here. I am happy here. Rex said he was sorry over and over again. What more does he need to do?”
“He needs psychiatric help, Cat!” my father roars, and my heart breaks. Not only for the boy who owns it but for the man who has always been on my side.
I nod and let him pull me into his arms.
“I know Daddy, but I love him, and I just want to help him. Something is going on. He was never like this.” He sighs and lets me go.
“Just go for spring break, maybe the time away will be good for you both. Just try, okay, Cat? You girls are my life, and if something ever happened to you… I can’t lose you too.” I take a deep breath and nod. One week won’t be too bad, Rex will forgive me.
Right?
* * *
“Rex,what the hell are you doing?” I rush out as I watch him drop my birth control pills into my toilet. He turns toward me, his face red with rage.
“How could you agree to go?” he growls. I step back and flinch as his hand reaches out for my throat. He roughly pulls my forehead against his and looks into my eyes. “I love you so much, Cat. Why would you do this to me? To us?” Hesitantly, I lift my hand and wrap it along the back of his neck, then run my nails through his messy waves and shush him. I lean up and press my lips against his.
“I’m sorry, Rex,” I kiss him again, harder this time, until his body uncoils from the rage I somehow caused.
He rests his mouth on the pulse point on my neck and repeatedly whispers, “I love you, kitty. You’re mine. Never leave me.” I glance over his shoulder at the mirror. The reflection showing a panicked girl cradling a boy who has changed and is scaring her.
There is something wrong with him. He’s not the same sweet boy I once knew.
CHAPTER21
NOW
CAT
Iwatch as the waves crest the shore below me. My stomach has been nauseous all day, and the salt from the sea air helps. I wish I could leave the house and go for a walk, but I know it’s pointless. Rex has to work, and I’m only allowed out for a thirty-minute stroll once a day, if he can accompany me. I guess I should be grateful he’s letting me sit outside on the terrace. That I can have fresh air now, and I’m no longer in that small cage. The basement and cage are somewhere I don’t ever want to return to.
I glance around at all the green around me. It’s beautiful here. I could be happy here. If only I wasn’t here against my will.
Lying back on the lounger, I read my book. It’s one I had read many times in high school. I glance at the room behind me and sigh. It’s almost as if he took my childhood bedroom, placed it in a time capsule, and brought it here. I even have the same frilly purple and white curtains along the window. The bedroom door slams open, and I take a deep breath, trying to get back into the role I’ve been playing lately. I slowly stand to my feet and shuffle into the bedroom. He gives me a big smile, and I fight to return it.
“I have a surprise for you, kitty,” he says with a small laugh. He seems happy today. In a really good mood. I just pray it stays. When I give him another shaky smile, he sighs, moving closer to me. He pulls me into his arms for a tight hug, and I shakily wrap my arms around him.
“I love you, kitty,” he says before releasing me and moving back to the hall. I grip the wall for support and curse my shaking knees.
He returns with a small cupcake, red velvet, my favorite, and a candle, handing it to me, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small silver lighter. Lighting the candle, he waits for me to make a wish.
Please, someone, anyone, save me.
I take a small breath then blow out the flame. He removes the candle and takes the cupcake back, then holds it to my lips, and I take a small bite. I fake a small moan of appreciation, and his eyes flash with heat. I chew, forcing myself to choke down the treat that was once my favorite thing.
He hands it back to me and then leaves the room again. I set it down on the small desk and stare at it. Why is he bringing me a cake?
“How long have I been here, Rex?” I whisper as he brings in some shopping bags full of new clothes for me. I have gained a bit of weight, and my shorts won’t button anymore. He sets them on our bed, and I feel sick when he comes over and kisses my temple. I try not to freeze and keep my body relaxed. It only angers him when I resist. He sighs into my hair and helps me to my feet. I choke down the bile as he strips me of my clothes.
“We have been here for about three months, kitty. Happy birthday,” he finally answers. I close my eyes and try not to cry. I have been here, trapped with this monster, for three months! I have been missing this long, and no one has been able to find me. I take a shaky breath in and move towards the bathroom. I’m going to be sick.
I almost don’t make it to the toilet, and I cringe when he comes up behind me, holding my hair back. When my stomach has stopped revolting, I push back and take Rex’s hand as he helps me to my feet. I move over to the sink and splash my pale face with cool water.
