I felt how he tensed up and even stopped moving. I don’t see why, I mean, weren’t they raised like brothers? What’s up with the hostility coming out of McKinnon’s mouth?
“Brother.”
“Eddy.” I look up to see Eduardo’s face. Is full of confusion and the questioning look he gives me needs an answer. Apparently, he does not know either why the sudden hostility or since no words have come out of my mouth, he surrenders me. A new set of hands make a grab for me and I go willingly is not like I have a choice. I know I cannot fight it, or him.
The ring in my finger says it.
Keeps reminding me ‘who I belong to’.
“Are you ok?” The question sound sincere so I nod.
“You want to go outside?”
“I was just taking her to her room,” Eduardo says behind us,
“What does it feel like?” Lacey screams from the other side of the changing room. “I don’t know.” I can’t help but grimace at the reflection in the mirror. “Well, do you like it?” “Is white, Lacey. That’s the only requirement.” I’m huffing, working hard to not fall. “Yes, but how does it look?” Her insistence is starting to annoy me. “I can’t stand up straight.” There’s so much you can do with the crutches but standing up straight with is just one thing. The sales lady is helping me with the dresses but still a bit uncomfortable. This is the only one so far and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Yes, is white and is also long. I need it to be long, so it can cover my messed-up leg. There’s no need to show my scar. “I’m coming in.” She barges in and halts as soon as she spo
Driving is one of the things I'm never doing, I can't help but to think about it as I watch Andreas move the driving stick, push the clutch and then accelerate. Is some complicated business. I don't think that even having a good leg I would be suited for driving. Or maybe I could learn with automatic. I don't know where we are going all he told me was to wear something pretty. After the store incident he's been extra protective and now I am once again secluded to all activities outside the ranch. Or outside my own bedroom. The sky is turning orange and purple, which means we have only a few minutes of daylight left. I can see the sun in the horizon, and the town in the rearview mirror. I'm not trying to guess anymore, not when we are miles away from the restaurants and any other place I know that I assumed he would be taking me. Hell, I'm wearing a damn dress, Is white with soft peach flowers, long sleeves. Is comfortable to wear, hides my boot and my scars. He said
The clock on my bedside table says it was almost 3 in the morning. I couldn’t believe that last night had been real. The drive back had been totally different, we actually conversed and even stayed in the car after we had arrived. He wasn’t teasing or trying to make me feel uncomfortable in any way. It felt like a real date. I mean, it was a date and all I kept thinking was “So that’s what a date was.” In other circumstances, maybe in another life, I would have already gone to several of them. Maybe not quite as much but at least one or two; movie and a diner or perhaps a party where the alcohol was bought my someone’s older brother and the pretty girls from the school were dressing in skinny jeans and tight shirts. That’s how usually goes in movies, but not to me. He must be sleeping by now while I twist and turn overthinking or going over every little detail, I swear I’m trying to fall asleep but the cranks i
“Here, let me help.” Strong hands tilted my face up, directly towards the warm water. There was no way to mistake his voice. Andreas had stepped into the bathroom and now watched me struggle naked. “Shhh, relax.” I held onto the strong arms whimpering, coughing because someone in my struggle I had swallowed a bit of soapy water and now felt like I was drowning. “Open your eyes. That’s it, there. You’re okay. See?” The burning soon disappeared as he brushed my face lightly. “Carla.” I whimpered. “She’s held up downstairs. I heard your screams and came rushing in. And thank god I did, you were about to break your neck.” I knew it was not intentional, but also this was anything but right. “Close your eyes, I have to get rid of the soap on your hair.” He waited until I closed my eyes. The water ran once again down my face. A stone statue, that’s what I had become. Here I was, sitting naked in a plastic chair and nowhere to go or nothing else to do but to sit there and wish for the eart
There's something is comforting about solitude. In the darkness, the absence of color makes it seem like everything around me is the same. The light coming into my bedroom is not enough but with time my eyes adjust. Noises coming from outside, there’s some type of activity going on. Music and loud voices, probably there’s some alcohol going around, and food. Some sort of celebration I wasn’t invited to but from the loud barking laughs most attendees are men. There had been a time when I could dance, not very fast but my leg sometimes was able to support my weight for a few seconds without bothering me too much. Back at the family farm, we had nights similar to these, my brother, when on a good mood, would tell me some of it; men drinking, their women would come with homemade dishes wearing brand new dresses and rouge on their lips. It wasn’t a celebration but more like something to lift their spirits. If it weren’t for the wheelchair, I wouldn’t even be able to move towards
The cold night breeze, the crisp air, and the stars were all the things I loved the most about living so far from everyone else. “Birthday cake.” “I pegged you for a chocolate kind of girl.” He said before stepping away from my opened window. “Even rocky road.” The town was alive tonight, the main street decorated with tinkle lights and people going about with happy grins on their faces. Why couldn’t I be normal like them? Walking was something people gave for granted, I mean it's not like I couldn’t do it, at least for now I can’t. I have to get better soon, I can’t continue being so reckless and it had nothing to with making him mad, I only tried to get myself in and out of the shower on my own. I wanted to do things without having to wait for people to be available for me to do a tiny thing like getting up to brush my teeth. “Rebecca?” “Oh sorry.” There it was my two scoops of Birthday cake. “Thank you.” For someone else this, escaping to get some i
The way back seemed longer. For a moment I thought we were lost but in the distance then I saw the house behind the trees and my stomach muscles started to churn up, I was tense from head to toe. We didn’t make it all the way to the house, I didn’t need the car lights to see him, walking in our direction. Eduardo was smart enough to stop, he knew him too well. I had no other choice but to sit there and wait, I even removed my own seat belt as he opened my door. With just the moonlight was hard to see his face, but saying he was angry would be a close guess. Without saying a word, he pulled me out of the vehicle and held me close to his body. He barely gave Eduard any acknowledgment before shutting the door a little bit too hard. When had him arrived? How had he known we were coming from the back road? Should I say even something? Would it change anything? Better not, things might get worse for Edward. Me, I was trapped in this whole deal with
Eduardo disappeared the next day, I only asked once and the had to go home, and that was a big at lie. He either had some heated exchanged of words or feared it. At least could have said goodbye, he had been nice to have around. My social privileges weren’t reinstated but at least Lacey was able to come over and I was able to dump all on her. Not the part where I want physical stuff to happen or the bathroom episode when he saw me all wet and naked. All the other stuff, and the more I told her and heard myself the less serious her face looked. I saw one corner of her mouth twitch and the hysterics began. She laughed and laughed while I felt my whole face burning to something that felt like anger. “Let me know when you’re done.” I brushed an imaginary lint of my jersey pants trying to hide the hot boiling shame trying to scurry its way out of me. “I’m sorry, but do you hear yourself?” She said between laughs when she was finally able to articulate like a normal p
Rebecca sat on her porch, covered in a warm blanket, as the first snowflakes of the season began to fall. Buddy, her ever-faithful companion, sat by her side, contentedly enjoying the quiet moment with her mistress. The previous year had been an emotional rollercoaster, but they had made it through together, stronger than ever.The love she shared with Andreas was worth every hardship they endured. If only Lacey were here to share her happiness. She couldn’t wait to tell her, but first Andreas.Just then, the sound of a car approaching broke her reverie. Andreas pulled into the driveway, his smile as warm as the fireplace awaiting them inside. He stepped out of the car and hurried towards her, his breath creating small puffs in the cold air."Hey, beautiful," he greeted her, leaning in for a sweet kiss.Rebecca's heart skipped a beat as she returned his kiss. "Hey, yourself," she replied with a grin. "You're home early."Andreas chuckled, his eyes filled with affection. "I couldn't wa
She watched, her eyes drinking in his naked form. He stepped towards her, his eyes never leaving hers. He pressed his lips against hers, kissing her hungrily. Their passion intensified as their bodies pressed against each other, and their tongues explored each other's mouths. The room filled with the sound of their heavy breathing, fueling their desire for each other.She opened her mouth eagerly for him, tasting him with her tongue.He moaned and began to kiss her again, moving his hands to her waist. She could feel the heat between them intensify as his hands explored her body, igniting a fire within her. With each kiss, their desire grew stronger, and their bodies became one in a passionate embrace.He pulled her closer to him, his hardness rubbing against her stomach. She could feel the heat emanating from between them, and she trembled. As their bodies pressed against each other, their breathing quickened, and the anticipation built. Their kisses grew more urgent, fueling the fla
His hand reached out, his fingers tracing a delicate path along her jawline, sending shivers down her spine. "I want you, too," he admitted, his voice husky. Rebecca's breath caught as his thumb brushed over her lower lip, and she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed. The intimacy of the moment and the electricity in the air made her feel more alive than ever. His fingers trailed down her neck, sending tingles of sensation wherever they touched. She could feel the heat between them, the anticipation growing with each passing second. Her hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her fingertips. Andreas leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a teasing, featherlight kiss. It was a promise of what was to come—a tantalising taste that left her craving more. She leaned in, deepening the kiss, their mouths moving together in a dance of passion. Their bodies pressed closer, the heat of their desire igniting like a wildfire. His ar
With a warm cup of tea in her hands, Rebecca watched as the sun fell below the horizon from a seat on the porch. The previous week had been a tornado of feelings and encouragement. Now that John was no longer a danger, she felt relieved, but the recollections persisted in the back of her mind. She inhaled deeply, attempting to shake off the residual anxiety. Andreas walked up behind her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, offering a small smile. He had been her rock through it all, supporting her in every way possible. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly. Rebecca sighed, leaning into his touch. "Better," she admitted. "The weight feels a little lighter now that he's gone." Andreas nodded, his gaze full of understanding. "I'm glad you're safe," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "And I'm here for you, always." She reached up and touched his hand, a silent thank you passing between them. They sat in comfortable silence, the sounds of the evening
Rebecca’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the flashing lights of the police cars in the rearview mirror. John had been trying to evade them for miles, but they finally caught up to them as they attempted to cross the state line. She begged him to stop, to give up, but he only revved the engine and pushed the pedal to the floor. The car swerved through traffic, cutting off other vehicles at a dangerous speed. Rebecca gripped the armrests, her knuckles turning white. She tried to reason with him, telling him that they would only make things worse, but he only laughed maniacally and continued to weave in and out of traffic. Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the car, and the vehicle next to them spun out of control on the freeway. Rebecca’s head slammed against the window, and she let out a scream. Rebecca was panicking, looking out the window and watching the police cars in pursuit. John was driving recklessly, swerving and dodging as the car hit high speeds. "John, pleas
Andreas felt his heart racing as he picked up the book from the floor. It was one of Rebecca's favorites, and he knew she had been reading it before he left to run his errand. The rumpled sheet and Buddy's whining only added to his growing anxiety. He called out for Rebecca, but there was no answer. Panic started to set in as he frantically searched the house, but there was no sign of her. He tried calling her cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. It was then that he knew that John had taken her again. Andreas felt a wave of anger and frustration wash over him. How could he let this happen again? He had promised to keep her safe, and he had failed. He felt a sense of responsibility and guilt for leaving her alone, even if it was just for a few minutes. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Sheriff Hughs' number. He knew he couldn't do this alone. The sheriff arrived quickly, and together they searched the house and the surrounding area. They scoured the nearby woods, b
Rebecca tried to calm herself down, taking deep breaths to steady her nerves. She couldn't panic; she needed to think clearly. She looked around the trunk, trying to find anything that could help her escape. But there was nothing, just some old blankets and a spare tire. She tried to open the trunk, but it was locked from the outside. She pounded her fists against the trunk, yelling for help, but she knew it was useless. Her mind raced with different scenarios, wondering where John could be taking her and what he had planned. She had to get out of there, but how? She thought of trying to break the taillight and attract attention, but she didn't want to alert John. She needed to come up with a plan that wouldn't put her in more danger. As the car continued to move, Rebecca's mind drifted back to the moment John had taken her. She thought about her options. She could try to kick her way out, but that would be difficult with her legs cramped in such a small
John had been sequestered in a small apartment in another state, watching the news constantly for any developments in his case. He was astounded by how quickly everything had degenerated since that evening. Despite his meticulous planning and careful execution, one slip-up caused everything to fall apart. He sorely missed Rebecca because of the way she made him feel alive by laughing at his jokes. He couldn't allow Andreas to separate from him for her. He had been working on a plan, biding his time until the right moment. He knew he couldn't just show up at her doorstep; that would only scare her away. No, he needed to be more subtle and strategic. He had to make her believe that he had changed and that he was a different person. He couldn't risk losing her again. He spent his days researching and gathering information about Andreas and his life. He needed to know his enemy. He needed to know what he was up against. John knew he had the advantage when it came to money, but Andreas w
Andreas sat across from Sheriff Hughs in his office, worry etched deep in his features. They had been discussing John Clark and his ability to stay hidden for so long."He's got enough money to make it happen," Sheriff Hughs said, leaning back in his chair. "But what worries me is the possibility of him returning. You know what he's capable of."Andreas nodded grimly. "Rebecca's nightmares have diminished; she's sleeping better, but she's almost always looking behind her. I've noticed how she starts to have mini attacks whenever she finds herself alone. Not even Buddy has been able to keep her at ease."Sheriff Hughs sighed heavily. "I wish there was more we could do. We've had people keeping an eye out, but he's just too good at covering his tracks."Andreas clenched his jaw. "We can't let our guard down. I won't let him hurt her again."Sheriff Hughs nodded. "I know. We'll keep looking."Andreas stood up, ready to leave. "Thanks for the update, Sheriff. Let me know if you find anyth