33. Kat

Chapter 33

A fter everything that happened with my apartment and then Trevor, the guys had been around a lot…

Like almost every day they were here, and even if one of them had to slip away to go to the office, they would be back as soon as possible. Oliver seemed to be the only exception, and even then, I saw him a lot more often than I had before, even if only in passing.

I love it, don’t get me wrong, but after a while, it went from sweet to almost suffocating. They weren’t just here because they wanted to be around me, though I hoped it was that, too. No, they were here so much because they were afraid to leave me alone. At first, I could see why they might think it necessary. I’d wanted to leave. I still kind of did when I thought about all the issues I was bringing with me and all the stress I was causing them. But they insisted it was something we could handle and that they would ensure it wasn’t a problem. I want to believe them, but them being here, out of the office every day because they were worried I would finally break or run, it wasn’t helping.

That didn’t say we could work through it together. So I made them go back.

Nathan had the balls to try to act surprised when I told him he couldn’t watch me every day. Too bad I wasn’t buying it. I’m not one of his little fangirls. He can’t just give me that dark, sexy look and expect me to eat out of the palm of his hands… At least not all the time.

Last night, there had been a lot of going back and forth about what he could and couldn’t do. The main one was him not skipping out on work because of me, which he was adamant he could do because it’s his company. The asshole is so full of himself without even trying to be arrogant; it’s exhausting.

But so was the sex after he agreed to go back to the office, back to what our normal was before Trevor. I didn’t want him to have any kind of sway in my life and how we lived. Of course, even after agreeing, Nathan had damn near demanded that Vince be around when they’re out.

Before, I would have been confused. Of course, he went with us. He’s the driver. How would we get anywhere without him? But after seeing how he handled Trevor, I get the feeling he’s not just their driver. I hadn’t asked, unsure how to approach the topic and also unsure if I really needed to know.

Vince, being there, might very well have saved my life or, at the very least, saved me from some more bruises. The ones on my arms have all but faded now, but I swear I can still feel them sometimes or see them when I look at myself in the mirror. But I’m not sure it would matter if they told me Vince was a trained assassin or something else crazy like that. All that matters to me is that he was there that day, that he came for me.

The same way I know he will be there for not only me, but Addison as well. I couldn’t even put up a fight when Nathan said his one requirement was for us to have him around. I don’t think Trevor will be an issue with me no longer at the school, especially since Nathan is pulling Addison from it. But Trevor or not, I trust Vince.

The side of the bed is cold when I roll over, but I’m not surprised. Nathan is a man of his word, and he had said he would go back to the office so long as we were in agreement about Vince, which we were.

It’s strange being alone in his room, but somehow being in his room isn’t. Nathan might have been a little more hesitant, but after our weekend together while the guys were gone for work a few weeks ago, I feel like something changed, almost as if it slipped into place. Now, it just feels right, and not just with him.

Desmond and Alex have found a way to slide into my bed, both together and alone, or even whisk me away to their rooms. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was alone in my bed for the night, not that I want to be.

The house is quiet, almost too quiet, as I make my way downstairs and to the kitchen with only Ruby for company. Addison should be up soon, and for a moment, I debated waking her now just to help with the silence, but the need for caffeine wins out, and I decide against it.

It’s not until I’m seated at the island with a perfect cup of coffee that I notice the note sitting in the center, and a smile tugs at my lips. I’m not sure why, but the idea of a handwritten note makes me feel giddy. As I reach out to drag it over to me, I can’t stop my heart from picking up speed.

God, it’s like I’m a teenage girl with her first crush or first couple crushes, I guess.

My Queen, Unfortunately, all of us were needed for a meeting today. Oliver will probably be the first one back around lunch, but Alex, Des, and I will probably be closer to dinner.

I roll my eyes after reading just the first half.

So much for ‘they don’t need me in the office, I can work from home for as long as needed.’ I knew he was so full of it.

Not to mention, I’d be surprised if Oliver came home early. With the way he usually avoids me, I wouldn’t be shocked if he decided to stay later to wait on them, if only to make sure he didn’t have to face me. I try not to let it bother me, especially since recently he’s been a little less flighty around me, but it still stings. I know it shouldn’t. I already have three amazing men, but I’ll be damned if Oliver doesn’t still invade my dreams, and it’s not just the sex ones anymore, either.

No, lately, my dreams have taken a more domestic turn. While I still have some that wake me up in need of a cold shower, the guys are often there to happily quench that need. Most of the time now, my dreams are full of laughter as we go on outings, much like the zoo, with all of us and maybe a few more.

I’d never thought of kids and a future like this before. People had often asked Carter and me when we were going to have kids, but I always had an excuse, and he never seemed to mind. Now I’m grateful for that. The last thing I would want is something that tied me forever to him. But I don’t have the same fear with these men. If anything, I find my dreams filled with children's laughter and tiny feet, my belly round. While I know it won’t happen any time soon, I can’t help but curse Nathan for bringing it up on our weekend away.

Dale is cooking today. You and Addison enjoy a day of relaxation, and if you should feel the need to go anywhere, remember, Vince stays with you. Xoxo, Sir

A note shouldn’t be able to make me feel like this, yet despite the thought, I can’t argue the fact that my face is beet red right now, and my cheeks are seconds away from a cramp with how wide I’m smiling.

Asshole just had to sign it like that, didn’t he? As if him using that awful nickname wasn’t bad enough.

Ruby perks up, his ear twitching before he stands up and disappears back toward the stairs, and that’s all the warning I get before Addison flies into the room. Her hair is wild, falling in her face and blinding her, but she doesn’t seem to even notice as she continues toward me at speeds that are kind of amazing for how little her legs are.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Her hair can’t hide the smile that’s plastered on her face, and I quickly lean forward to be able to scoop her up into my arms. The guys might be gone for the day, but I’ll take this. Some time with Addison is a good thing, something I’ve missed.

“Good morning, Addy. How did you sleep?” I ask with her pressed close to my chest, rocking her gently the way I do most mornings.

“So good! Uncle Alex told me a story, and I had the most amazing dream! I was a fairy, and I had wings! You were there, Mommy, and so was Daddy, and Des, and Alex, and Oli!” She pauses to suck in a breath, and I can’t help but chuckle at her excitement. For a moment, Trevor had made me afraid and had me second-guessing the guys and whether I was worthy of their time. But he can’t take this away, the way Addison looks at me with such wonder and the love I feel for her.

Nothing can change that.

As Addison continues to tell me about her dream, I take her back upstairs and to her room to help her get ready for the day. I wasn’t sure when I first woke up alone if I would be capable of anything more than just hanging around the house today, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine, and getting out of the house is probably a good idea.

I won’t let Trevor force me to remain inside for fear of seeing him everywhere. That’s not fair to any of them, especially Addison, who deserves the chance to be out making memories, learning, and having fun. I won’t let him ruin this for her; besides, Vince will be with us, and I have complete faith in him.

“Where are we going?” Addison finally asks after she’s told me every last detail of her fairy dream, and I’m working on braiding her hair. Usually she would have asked much earlier, but her dream was the only thing she could focus on, and I can understand why, what little girl doesn’t want to be a fairy princess?

“I was thinking we could go eat some breakfast and go out for a little fun. What do you think? Do you want to go have some fun with me and Uncle Vince?” I skirt around, not telling her exactly where we're going because I kind of want it to be a surprise, but also, it doesn’t sound as exciting as it actually is.

“Of course!” she says, her brows scrunching up as if she’s offended I even had to ask, which I guess is fair. I’m not sure I’ve discovered much she doesn’t like, even people she doesn’t like. It always seems to be for good reason, though I’m not always sure she knows that reason. She’s a pretty good judge of character, honestly, much better than I am, it would seem.

“Where are we going?” Vince’s voice makes me jump, and I say a silent thanks to the universe that I’d already tied off her braid so I don’t have to redo it.

Turning, I find him looking at me with a smirk on his face that tells me he’s aware he just scared me and isn’t even a little bit sorry.

Jerk.

“Uncle Vinny!” Addison quickly hops down from her vanity chair, dodging the toys that litter her floor like a pro as she flies toward him like a heat-seeking missile.

“It’s a surprise,” I tell him as he tosses Addison in the air, and her giggles fill the room. Grabbing my phone off the vanity, I hold it up to him and hope he gets the hint.

“Well, in that case, I’m pretty sure we want to figure out what this surprise is as soon as we can, so why don’t we go grab something for breakfast while Kat gets dressed?” Vince flips Addison over his shoulder so she’s riding on him piggyback style before he takes off down the hall and, no doubt, down the stairs to the kitchen before she can respond.

I quickly text him where we’re going, along with a thank you, before heading to my own room to grab a quick shower and throw on some jeans and a T-shirt. It’s still on the warmer side outside, but not as bad as it was a few weeks ago. Plus, a lot of buildings have AC, and I’d rather not freeze if I can avoid it. The only thing I hate more than sweating is freezing.

I hate the cold.

It doesn’t take me long, maybe twenty minutes total, but somehow, it’s still long enough for me to come down and find a mess in the kitchen.

“Oh my, what happened here?”

Vince looks up from his spot on the stool next to Addison before quickly trying and failing to hide a can of Reddi Wip.

“Uncle Vinny made me waffles!” Addison tells me, glancing at me long enough to smile and see the evidence of said Reddi Wip before she quickly turns back around to her food.

Making my way further into the kitchen, it’s no wonder why she’s so happy to eat them. There are maybe two waffles on the plate covered in syrup and a mountain of Reddi Wip. To his credit, there are also strawberries that appear to even have been cut, and Addison wastes no time dipping them in the cream before popping them in her mouth.

“Now I understand why you weren’t in charge of her more,” I tease him, and he shrugs. The smile remains on his face, and I can’t help but smile as well.

I clean up a bit and eat some of the fruit salad from the fridge, the one Vince pulled the strawberries out of, though I have no idea why he only chose them. And before long, Addison is done and ready to go after washing up a little bit.

We head out, and of course, Vince already has the car waiting, which means he gets to the door before I even have a chance. I’d like to say he’s just doing his job, but the smirk on his face says otherwise.

The ride doesn’t take long, about a half hour, and for New York, the traffic isn’t too bad. Before I know it, we’re there, and judging by Addison’s look of confusion as we enter, I think it’s safe to say she’d never been here before. I half expected Vince to park and wait for us, the way he usually does, but instead, he dropped us off at the door and told me to get the tickets, and he'd meet us inside after he parked.

I wish I could say it didn’t matter to me whether he came in or not, but that would be a lie.

Unfortunately, I think that would be true regardless of whether the whole thing with Trevor happened or not, and honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready to look into the why behind that just yet. My life is messy enough as it is right now.

The day flies by and ends up being just what I needed. Addy’s laughter warms my heart, and after a little while, I feel myself relaxing, no longer looking over my shoulder every two seconds or tensing when someone brushes against me.

Watching Vince be pulled around by Addison also helped. There’s something so entertaining about watching such a large man, clearly dressed for work, down on the ground playing with a five-year-old.

It’s not at all helpful for my brain, though, but I’m happy to ignore that for now.

Sadly, I can’t ignore what happens when we finally make it outside to the large water play area. Truthfully, I’m not even one hundred percent sure what happened or how, but it resulted in Vince being very wet and Addison laughing so hard she ends up on the ground clutching her stomach.

“What happened?” I ask, looking between them and trying to put the pieces together but coming up blank. I’d been not two feet from them, so how did I miss whatever that was?

“Uncle Vinny made a water explosion!” I look over and find a bucket lying beneath the water dome. The water is still spraying, though clearly not as bad as when it soaked him.

“Yes, very funny, brat,” Vince gripes as he undoes the buttons on his black button-up, but he doesn’t really look mad. If anything, he just looks wet, and I’ll be damned if that isn’t a good look on him.

Though maybe not in the middle of such a public place.

As if the universe heard my thoughts and felt the need to one-up me, I watch with wide eyes as Vince pulls off his button-up and is left standing in front of me in only an undershirt.

Shit.

I’d seen him without a shirt or in an undershirt a few times around the pool or swimming, but I’d tried to keep my eyes to myself. The last thing I needed was to be caught ogling him.

Which, of course, is exactly what happens when he looks up a few seconds later and finds my eyes still all over him.

Apparently, my brain doesn’t get to be in charge when faced with a handsome man. I know I should have looked away—hell, I still know it—yet somehow, I’m stuck, unable to control myself.

“Your cheeks are looking pretty red, Kat. Are you feeling okay?” he asks, stepping up so close to me that only I can hear him.

He’s right. I can feel the heat, but I can't do shit about it, and him looking at me the way he is right now isn’t helping a damn thing. I’m not sure if I’m seeing what I want to or if it’s real, but I swear there's a heat in his gaze that isn’t usually there.

“I’m going to go try to dry off a little bit. Don’t wander too far, Little Beauty.” Before I say anything or even process what he just called me, he’s walking away, and I’m left standing dumbfounded.

Little Beauty?

That’s not the first time he’s called me that. The day he saved me from Trevor, he’d said it as well, but I’d been more worried about everything else that was going on and didn’t really think it was much more than a way for him to attempt to comfort me.

There’s no way I’m crushing on yet another man! Someone needs to lock me up or something because this is getting ridiculous.

Needing to get my mind off of men, specifically the soaking wet man who’s probably shirtless in the bathroom, I turn my attention back to Addison, who happily plays at the waterway on the other side of the space. Thankfully, everything is closed in, so there’s no worry. She can’t wander off, not that I think she ever would, but kids can be unpredictable, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Addy’s playing with a few other kids. They all laugh and run up and down the length of the waterway, playing in the pool at the bottom with the small boats and other toys provided, and I can’t help but smile. She’s so full of energy and so happy, making friends everywhere she goes.

With Addison happily playing and Vince gone for the moment, I move to one of the benches along the wall where a few other parents sit watching. I could use a moment to get myself together, and playing with kids her age is good for Addy.

“Imagine seeing you here, " a voice to my right says and I don’t need to look to know I know that voice. I hadn’t been paying attention to who was around me. Kids and parents were all in a constant state of movement, so having someone sit on the bench with me wasn’t that big of a deal.

My mind goes blank, and I can’t take my eyes off Addison. I need to get her out of here, away from him.

I move to stand, ready to dash to Addison, get out of here or cause a scene if I have to—whatever I need to do to keep him away from her—but he has other plans.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I freeze at his words, and while I don’t want to look at him, I don’t miss his hand as it raises, his finger pointing across the room to more of the benches where a man sits.

A man I recognize.

“One wrong move, and my friend is going to take that little girl you love so much, and nobody will ever find her again.” His voice is quiet, as if he didn’t just threaten the life of a five-year-old. To anyone around us, it might seem like we're just having a normal conversation, but on the inside, I want to scream.

Trevor sits opposite me, his arms thrown over the back of the bench, the picture of relaxation as he smiles at me, and my stomach rolls.

How the hell do Trevor and Carter know each other? What kind of fresh hell is this?

It doesn’t really matter, though, if I’m being honest; I just need to get Addison and me out of here and away from them.

I can’t look at Trevor without my mind going back to the classroom and the way his hands felt on my arms, the bruises he left, and the fear I felt. I turn away, letting my eyes wander back to Addison, who thankfully remains blissfully unaware of the situation I’m currently dealing with.

“I’ve missed you, Katie,” Carter whispers, his voice low and husky in a way I used to love but now it makes me want to gag. I’d forgotten how much I hated the nickname he gave me. In high school, everyone always said it was so sweet that he called me that. They would ooh and ahh, and I somehow convinced myself I didn’t hate it.

I guess that only lasted as long as our relationship, though, because I hate it again now. I’m pretty sure I hate everything about Carter, so that’s not surprising.

“I waited, you know. I expected you to come back, but no, you’ve always been so damn stubborn. I should have known.” He chuckles, and the sound gives me the fucking creeps.

How had I ever wanted a life with this man?

I bite the inside of my cheek, knowing anything that might come out of my mouth right now will only make this worse. I just need to keep him talking until Vince gets back. I just need to keep Addison safe.

“I didn’t expect you to whore yourself out, though. When Trevor told me you were throwing yourself into bed with a bunch of guys, some of which were old enough to be your father, for their money, I was shocked and disgusted,” he hisses in my ear. I focus on my breathing; I don’t want him to know he’s affecting me. “Then those assholes came to the club and wanted to act like you were theirs! As if you didn’t already belong to me. As if you won’t always be mine. I’d thought Trevor was wrong, that you couldn’t possibly be with these men, but I also knew you needed someone to support you. Someone to try to fill the void in your life after you left me.” He leans in closer, and I can’t help but flinch when I feel the warmth of his finger touch my cheek, and I know he notices. I’m the center of his attention right now; there’s no way he missed it, and one glance his way lets me know I’m right if his predatory smile is anything to go by.

I have to bite back the need to remind him that I left because of him. That he was the one who cheated on me. I know it won’t do any good, and I don’t need to draw attention to us.

“Imagine my surprise when they show up and buy the club, Katie,” he spits, his voice so full of venom it should have me shrinking away, but I can’t manage it past the shock of what he just said.

They bought the club.

“Because of you and this stupid idea that they have, that you belong to them, they humiliated me. Kicking me out as if I were some nobody, a fucking peasant.” He spits the word in disgust, his breathing labored. I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my lips, knowing they got to him. Knowing they had to have done it for me.

None of them said a thing to me about it, and somehow, that makes it even more romantic.

His cold fingers wrap around my jaw, tugging my head to the right so that I’m forced to look at him head-on, and there’s no denying the anger that burns in his gaze.

“Do you have any idea the hit my reputation already took when you left me, and now this?” He leans in, his voice getting quieter but somehow angrier. I’ve been on the receiving end of Carter’s anger a few times, but never in a place so public, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him this angry. “It’s time to come home and stop playing. You had your fun, but I won’t continue to be laughed at and ridiculed because you needed to explore your hoe phase under the pretense of a better job.” He frowns at me in disgust. I try to pull free of his grip, but that only makes him tighten his hold.

“So this is what’s going to happen. You're going to get up and walk out of here with me. Her little bodyguard will be back soon to collect her.” A whimper breaks through my lips as I try to look toward Addison, but his grip remains firm. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glance of her splashing and laughing, and I know he’s right.

Vince will come for her. She’ll be okay.

“Or you can resist, and I’ll take you by force, and Trevor will take her, and you’ll never see her again.” He pauses, his lips twitching in a hint of a smile, one that makes him look even more deranged. “Nobody will.”

“What will it be, my dear Katie?”

I don’t trust myself to speak. If I open my mouth right now, I might scream or even start crying. Instead, I nod and hope he’s smart enough to figure out that I’m agreeing to go with him.

His fingers loosen from my jaw, but he doesn’t release me.

“I knew you missed me. How could you not when we were simply made for each other?” Before I have a second to comprehend what he’s about to do, his lips are pressed to mine in a kiss that feels more like he’s trying to mark his territory, to brand me, than to show affection.

He pulls back, quickly dropping his hold from my face before turning to meet Trevor’s gaze across the room. I’m not sure how they know each other, but watching them have a silent conversation lets me see just how much they do.

God, I’d been so stupid to think Trevor was just an annoyance who would eventually take the hint, but even in all his toxic behaviors, I never thought this was possible.

With Carter’s attention momentarily off of me, I take a chance to look back at Addison for what might be the last time.

It feels like an eternity since I’d been sitting with Carter, but really, it couldn’t have been more than five minutes. Any longer, Vince would probably be back, and this whole thing would be handled, only to be a bad memory.

Unfortunately, Carter seems to realize time is ticking as well. Reaching for my hand, he yanks me up with him, pressing to his feet before quickly pulling me toward the exit. I stumble for a moment before I’m able to get my balance. I have to fight the urge to let myself fall and slow him down. If I put up any kind of fight, I could be putting Addison in danger, and as much as I might not want to go with Carter, I just can’t bring myself to risk her.

As if he can read my mind, his fingers tighten around mine, squeezing hard enough that a grunt of pain escapes me.

“I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t trust you not to do anything stupid, Katie. I trusted you to do the right thing, come back, and look at what happened. No, I won't be making that mistake again.”

The front doors come into view as he pulls me down the hall behind him. I hear his words, but I can’t bring myself to reply, not when I know after we make it out those doors, I’m at his mercy for real. Here, in public, he has a sort of reputation to uphold, but once we're in the car, or back in Maine…

I’m not sure what waits for me in Maine, but I know I don’t want to find out. Even if he promised me the world, all the money, attention, and love, I wouldn’t want it, not with him, not anymore. But something tells me that’s not even close to what waits for me, especially not judging by his grip on my hand and the way he’s dragging me behind him.

It’s not until he pushes open the door and I feel the warm air that panic really starts to feel like it’s choking me.

Is Addison okay?

Did Vince find her?

Will he think I left her by choice?

Will she?

I remember the promise I made to her that I’d be there if she needed me. Last week, she’d had us make friendship bracelets for each other, and every day since then, she had checked my wrist to make sure I still wore mine. I hadn’t taken it off except to shower because it really was so cute, and she was so proud of it. Leaving her behind makes the bracelet feel as though it weighs a million pounds, and I feel a lump working its way up my throat at the idea of her thinking I abandoned her.

The lot is packed, but somehow, I know which vehicle Carter is dragging me to, even before we get close to it. The SUV is black with dark tinted windows in the front seats and damn near black ones in the back.

If he puts me back there, nobody will see me.

Fuck, I don’t want to go. To leave Addison and the guys to go back to Carter sounds like a nightmare. Honestly, leaving them at all sounds like a nightmare, regardless of who I’d be going with. I might not have known them long, and our relationship might still be new, but I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.

They make me happy, all of them.

I can’t do it.

I can’t go quietly.

By now, Vince should be with Addison. There’s no way he would be away this long, which means she’s safe. Even if not, there’s no way Trevor would know I didn’t go quietly at this point. No, the last he saw, I was doing exactly what Carter said.

The second I decide, I stop walking, letting my heels dig into the blacktop of the parking lot, and I thank my lucky stars I chose real shoes instead of sandals.

Unfortunately for me, Carter isn’t a small man. Maybe if you want to compare him to Nathan or Vince, but next to me, well, I don’t really stand a chance. Despite me digging my heels into the pavement, Carter hardly slows down, instead tugging on my arm and dragging me behind him.

“Stop it, Katherine, you're going to make a scene,” he hisses, hardly glancing back at me as he continues to pull me behind him like a child throwing a tantrum.

Which is a wonderful idea.

“Let me go!” I yell as loud as I can, and that seems to get his attention.

He stops dead, whirling around to face me, his jaw ticking, and I get the feeling he wants to do a lot more than drag me behind him right now. I try to pry my fingers from his hold, but it’s no use, so again, I resort to yelling, and this time, he quickly looks around before slapping a hand to my mouth when he finds we're mostly alone out here.

Crap.

He hoists me up, one arm around my waist, the other pressed to my mouth as I kick and fight, but it’s no use. With nothing else to do, I do the only thing I can think of and bite down on as much of his hand as I can get in my mouth, as hard as I can.

Not only does it make him drop his hand away from my mouth, but he also drops his hold on me and damn near shoves me away from him. I can’t get my feet under me fast enough, and I stumble forward onto the ground, the pavement cutting into my palms. That’s fine, though; I’ll take a few scrapes and bruises over being stuck with him.

Carter curses behind me, and I take my chance, hoping he’s distracted enough by his hand that he won’t notice me as I attempt to crawl away.

I should have known better.

His foot slams into my hip, shoving me to the side, and I fall over, off balance. I don’t want to be at his mercy any more than I have to be, though, so I quickly scramble back up onto my ass, trying to crawl away from him. I don’t get far as he stomps toward me, his face pinched in anger. Before I have a chance to prepare for what he’s about to do, his hand connects with my cheek, hard enough to send me sprawling on the ground.

“You stupid bitch! Have you lost your mind? You belong to me!” He stabs a finger to his chest as he leans over me, but I don’t look up at him as I wipe my hand across my face to see it come away bloody. “I made you everything you are! If not for me, those assholes wouldn’t even want you, you ungrateful whore!!”

His hand closes around my arm, yanking me to my feet, and this time, he doesn’t seem to care about making a scene as he drags me to the all-blacked-out car. Tears well in my eyes, and I can’t bring myself to care when they spill down my face as I try and fail to fight him off.

Without releasing me, he pulls the door to the backseat open, and even though I’d been giving it my all before, I find a way to fight harder, knowing if he puts me in there, I’m done for.

He growls and grunts as he pries my fingers from the side of the car one by one, uncaring that I’m screaming at the top of my lungs. Not that he should give a fuck. Nobody else seems to, and that had been the whole point of me screaming to begin with.

“Nobody’s going to save you, Katie. You’re mine. Always have been and always will be.”

I don’t want to believe him, but I can only fight him off for so long. I know that and so does he.

Maybe he’s right? Maybe I should just stop fighting?

Before I can make the choice myself, the sound of a gun cocking takes the choice from me as I freeze like a deer in headlights.