When I get home, I drop down on my couch and let out a relieved breath.
After the call this morning, Finn made no effort to interact with me, and now that I have the day behind me, the tension is actually starting to ease.
Maybe I’ll get lucky, and Finn will be too busy to mess with me.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I quickly log into my banking app, and when I see the amount paid into my account, a smile curves my lips.
I soak in the good moment, my soul needing it desperately.
Now I can get a couple of outfits for work.
My muscles relax more, and even my lost appetite returns. Getting up, I walk to the small kitchen and start preparing mac and cheese for dinner.
When I take the first bite, my stomach growls in protest that I let it go hungry the entire day.
Unable to resist, I log into my bank account again and stare at the balance while eating.
The device vibrates in my hand, and closing the banking app, I click on my messages. Not recognizing the number, I open the text.
I missed you today.
Instantly, the food sours in my mouth. Then another message comes through.
Don’t think you can hide from me.
I own you now.
Come in at seven tomorrow.
And don’t fucking breathe a word of this to anyone, or your mother dies.
I drop the phone on the counter and stare at it, as if it’s a snake, until the screen goes black. My heart beats wildly in my chest, the little bit of happiness I was able to gain back from receiving my paycheck drowned out by the reminder of the nightmare I’m stuck in.
Minutes pass before I’m able to move a muscle. I place the leftover mac and cheese in the fridge, and walking to my bathroom, I turn on the faucets to run a bath, needing to scrub myself clean.
Feeling exhausted, I strip out of my clothes, and stepping into the tub, I sink down in the water. Lying back, I submerge my head, and holding my breath, I wish I could wash Finn from my life.
What am I going to do?
With no choice in the matter, I’m at work at seven like Finn requested.
The building feels empty as I take the elevator up to the executive floor.
No one will hear if I scream.
Do I even dare scream?
My hands fist at my sides, my teeth mercilessly worrying my bottom lip.
God, this is insane.
If I go to the police with the text messages, will they be able to protect my mother? Is it enough evidence?
Feeling like a prisoner walking to the execution chamber, my eyes are locked on Finn’s office door. My breaths grow shallow, knowing without a doubt, nothing good will happen once I go in there.
Stopping in the middle of the hallway, the hopelessness and fear increase in my chest, gripping my heart in a strangling hold.
Suddenly the door opens, then a predatory smile spreads over Finn’s face. “And here I thought you were going to make me wait.” Gesturing for me to come inside, he waits.
Staring at the man that’s making my life a living hell, I wonder how I ever thought he was attractive.
He’s despicable.
“Today, Kiara.”
A hopeless breath flutters over my lips then I move forward, walking into hell. Stopping in the middle of the office, I hear him shut the door.
I feel him move, the sensation that I’m being hunted tightening my throat.
When his fingers brush over my shoulder and down my arm, my body instinctively jerks. “Please don’t do this,” the plea falls over my lips.
My arm is gripped tightly, and I’m tugged back against his chest. His breath wafts over my ear. “That’s not how this works. If you’re going to beg and cry…” A gun appears in my line of sight, scaring the living shit out of me. I cringe back, my heart lurching into a violent beat.
Finn brings the barrel to my neck and drags the cold steel across my throat. I’m so terrified I can’t even breathe.
“You don’t want anything to happen to your mother, right?”
I quickly nod.
“And I’d hate to hurt you,” he adds sinisterly. He moves the barrel down my front and stops between my breasts. “Are you going to beg and cry?”
I shake my head.
“You’re going to enjoy everything I do to you, right?”
Closing my eyes, I swallow hard on the terror filling every inch of me, then I nod.
“Good girl,” he breathes.
The gun disappears from my line of sight, then Finn resumes brushing his fingers up my arm. “Turn around.”
As I turn to face him, my breathing grows shallow and fast, the quick breaths making me feel dizzy. Slowly I look up until our eyes meet.
How can you do this to me?
I see the depravity and lust in his eyes, and it answers my question. Finn’s evil.
“Show me how thankful you are that I’m sparing your mother’s life,” he says, a cruel sneer forming on his face. “Kiss me.”
I struggle to keep the disgust from showing on my face. A lump forms in my throat. “C-can you lean down?”
God. Help me.
Finn’s smile stretches as he leans down.
Think of Mom. Think of anything but what you’re doing and just get it over with.
Lifting my chin, I squeeze my eyes shut and press my mouth to his.
Don’t puke.
Don’t puke.
Finn growls against my lips, “You can do better than that.”
A sob threatens to push up from my chest, and I swallow hard to keep it down. Parting my lips, intense revulsion shudders through me as I let my tongue enter his mouth.
Finn’s arms wrap around me, and I’m squashed to his chest. He tilts his head and kisses me hungrily, even groaning with satisfaction.
Don’t puke.
His one hand slips down to my butt, and he grips me tightly.
Up until now, there’s just been a general fear of what Finn will do to my mother. I knew he’d take advantage of me, but I didn’t allow myself to think about what that entails.
He’s going to rape me, and I can’t stop him.
This man is going to strip me bare and break me.
Yanking back, I cover my mouth with a trembling hand, violent breaths rushing from me.
Finn lifts a hand, and swiping the pad of his thumb over his bottom lip, warning fills his gaze. “Really?”
“I…” My mind races to find an excuse. “I thought I heard something.”
He turns his head, listening. For once, the universe is on my side, and a phone starts to ring out in the hallway. Finn points to the ensuite bathroom. “Go. Hide!” he hisses at me.
I rush into the restroom and shut the door behind me. Pressing my forehead to the wood, I say a prayer of thanks as my breaths burst over my lips.
“Why are you here so early?” I hear Liam’s voice, his tone downright brutal and nothing like it’s been whenever he talks to me.
“I thought I’d get some work done before the day starts,” Finn answers casually.
Liam lets out a chuckle that doesn’t sound amused at all. “Has hell frozen over? You’ve never lifted a finger to work.” I hear footsteps, and for a moment, I wonder what would happen if Liam found me here.
Would he think I’m here out of my own free will?
Would he believe Finn or me?
“Show me what you’re working on,” Liam demands.
“Fuck off, Liam,” Finn growls, but a moment later, I hear him grunt, then Liam says with a voice that sounds like it’s filled with death, “Do you want to die today?”
What?
My eyes widen, and I keep my breaths as quiet as possible.
“I’m sorry,” Finn quickly apologizes, his tone suddenly void of all the arrogance. “I’m sorry, okay?”
There’s a moment’s silence, then Liam growls, “I’m out of patience with you, Finn. Either you start working, or you get your lazy ass out of my company.”
“I’ll work,” he quickly replies, fear for Liam clearly trembling in his tone.
Lifting my head, hope creeps into my heart.
Finn’s scared of Liam, and it really doesn’t sound like they get along.
Maybe Liam will believe me if I tell him what Finn’s doing to me.
Still, that won’t stop Finn from killing Mom.
I hear something fall, then Liam says, “Fucking parasite.” More movement sounds up then the office grows silent.
I take a step away from the door, straining to listen for any sound.
“Fucking bastard,” Finn spits out, then the door’s yanked open. With rage burning on his face, he grabs hold of my arm, and I stumble forward as he tugs me into the office. “Get the fuck out and make sure Liam doesn’t see you!”
I don’t waste any time and rush to the door. Slipping into the hallway, my heart’s pounding against my ribs as I run toward the emergency stairs, avoiding the elevator.
I flee down the stairs, and only when I reach the lobby’s floor do I sink down on the bottom step. Covering my face, I suck in desperate breaths of air.
This is insane! What the hell?
I have to do something.
