Chapter 9

Dionne’s POV:

I finish getting dressed and I step out of my room only to hear something in Xavier’s room. As I walk toward the staircase, he opens his door and walks out. He obviously doesn’t see me when he walks by, so I walk by his room door and I see one of the maids getting dressed and she can barely stay on her feet. I scoff and I go downstairs and meet him.

“Let’s go.” He says as I walk by him. He shuts the door behind us and we walk to the car.

When I get in the car, the guard holding the door open closes it. The other guard on Xavier’s side closes his door and the driver pulls off. I cross my arms and I start a conversation.

“I thought you said you didn’t have a chauffeur.” I say, trying to hide my anger.

“I do. I just don’t use him all the time.” He says, scrolling through his phone.

I stay quiet but the constant anger picking at my brain gets the best of me.

“Did you fuck her? You smell like cheap perfume and sex.” I say, already knowing the answer.

He closes the slide to the slider separating the front from the back and he sighs. “We’re not talking about this right now.” He says, tucking his phone away.

“She couldn’t stay on her feet. Must’ve been good.”

“For the most part. She wasn’t very attractive.” He responds.

What the fuck?

“You’re such an ass.” I say on the verge of tears. I slide the slider open to talk to the driver. “Let me out here.” I say, anger building inside me.

“Keep going.” Xavier says.

“Let me the hell out!” I say again, getting louder.

“Goddamnit, Dionne, get in the damn car!”

“Fuck you, Xavier!” I say, stepping out of the car.

When I step out, Xavier grabs my wrist, pulling me back. “Let me go!” I scream at him, tears flowing from my eyes.

“No, get in the car, now!” he says.

I slap him in his face and his grip loosens on my wrist. For a second, I stand there looking at him, then I snatch my wrist from his grip. I start to walk the rest of the way to the house and as I do, I call Patrick.

“Sis?”

“Is Dad home?” I say, soothing my cries.

“No, he’s out till midnight. Why?”

“I’m on the way there.”

“No shit?” he says, surprised.

“Yeah, I’m coming. Unlock the door.” I say, then I hang up. When I arrive there, I check my phone and Xavier’s been calling me.

I shake my head, ignoring it as I come into my old home. Seeing as Xavier didn’t follow me there, he’s gone back home. Not that I care. I’m good at hiding from my father.

“Dionne!” Anthony says, picking me up. I wrap my legs around him, letting him hug me tight. “God, I’ve missed you.” He says, putting me down as Patrick comes to hug me.

“Hey little sis.” He says as he hugs me tightly.

“Did someone say-“

My mother stops in her tracks and her eyes fill with tears as she runs up to me. “My baby’s home! How did you get here? Where’s Xavier?” she asks, looking me over.

“Can we talk?” I ask.

I left out the fact that he slept with a maid, but I mentioned our big argument and made up what it was about. Not too bad, just over something simple because I didn’t want them to look at him any differently. Not that they have a good opinion of him anyway, but still. And regardless of what happens … I love and care for him.

Not that I’ll let myself admit it.

“That’s horrible honey. Are you okay?’’.

“I’m okay.” I say. “How have you guys been?” I add.

“Nothing’s been the same. Dad seems to be glad you’re gone.” Anthony says, anger in his last statement.

“He’s always favored you two.” I say.

“No, not really. He wanted to make it seem that way to belittle you.” Patrick says. “He’s done worse to us than what he’s done in front of you.” He adds to his previous statement.

“Wow. I’m sorry boys.” I say, rubbing both of their heads.

Hours later we’re laughing and it’s about 10 o’clock at night. I hear the door open and my body goes cold when I hear my father’s voice.

“It’s only 10, Anthony.” I say, terror raking through me.

“Shit, he’s off early. Go this way.” He says, helping me escape.

We round the corner and I can see father coming into the living room the other way.

‘Amelia, get me a beer.” His husky voice booming.

I finally get to the door and I open it and it makes a huge creaking sound. Fuck me.

Fear consumes me as Father turns around and catches sight of me. Tears immediately start to flow down my face as he comes toward me. I manage to get outside before he grabs me,pushing me outside with his hand around my throat, choking me.

“I’m sorry, Father! I’m sorry!” I plead as I struggle to breathe, clawing at his hands.

“Stupid girl, breaking into my home!” he yells, the smell of alcohol on his breath.

The motion detected lights come on, lighting up the whole driveway, bringing his horrifying face to light.

“Let her go, Dad!” Anthony says, running up to him.

Quickly, Father pulls out a knife on him. It doesn’t phase him as he gets closer to the dagger. He is the heir to the throne anyway. Seeing the way Anthony reacts, he pulls back and stabs him in his chest.

“Benjamin!” Mom screams as he holds Anthony in her arms, putting pressure on his wound.

My vision starts to blur as I come close to passing out. Father brings the dagger to my thigh and he slashes it, blood leaking down my thigh, immediately.

This is it. My father’s gonna be the reason I leave this world. Suddenly I hear a car brake loudly and I hear a door open and close violently.

“Benjamin, get the fuck off her!” I hear Xavier yelling at the top of his lungs. Blinded by his own want to now kill me, he continues to strangle me.

Xavier runs up to my father and whirls him around, making him lose his grip and balance, due to his drunken state, causing him to fall, hitting his head on the concrete below him.

I hear the impact and I flinch away, not wanting to watch as the very life leaves him.