by C. Shell
I bite my lip as I consider his offer. Changing clothes now would be so much easier than interrupting Cammy or waiting for Dex, who’s already mad and will probably use my mishap as an excuse to take me back home. Dex told me to stay around people I know, and since Daniel introduced me to Nicholas, I technically do know him. I trust Daniel and his judgment. If he thinks of Nicholas as a friend than in a round about way, I should too.
I hesitate for a brief second before shaking off my silly nerves. “I would appreciate that. Thank you.”
Nicholas steps forward and takes the jello shots from my hands, leaving me with my one beer which I’m thankful for. I’m not a big beer fan, but a little alcohol might help to relax me. “No use carrying theses around with us,” he says placing the small containers on a nearby table. “We can get them when we come back.”
Nicholas starts off in the direction of his house, and I follow close behind. His home isn’t far, but the sand you go through to get there is thick and unbelievably soft. My muscles work double time trying to keep up with his long strides and by the time we reach the front porch, my calves are sore, and I’m in need of a rest. We both take a moment to slip off our sandals and shake the sand off our feet.
“Welcome to mi casa.” Nicholas unlocks the glass door and slides it open. “Go on into the living room and I’ll run upstairs and fetch you some clothes.”
I wander inside and look around as I wait for him to come back. The way a home is decorated can tell a lot about a person. Nicholas’s house feels lonely. The house is designed beautifully and has all the top appliances and electronics, but it lacks warmth. I don’t see one family photo dotting the stark white walls and the leather couches appear stiff and never sat on. Each room is decorated with black marble flooring, modern art, glass furniture, and hideous gold fixtures. I’ll take my mom’s small, comfortable cottage any day over this cold monstrosity.
“I wasn’t sure what you would like so I went with something easy. Will jean shorts and a tank top work?” My head shoots up to find Nicholas walking toward me with a stack of clothes folded neatly in his hands. His dark eyes rake over my physique, and it takes everything in me not to fidget. His eyes linger on my exposed bra for a second too long before finding my eyes again.
I set my beer down on a side table and take the clothes from him, holding them in front of myself as I would a shield. “Thank you. I appreciate you doing this.” I glance around the room wondering which closed-door the bathroom is hiding behind. “Is there somewhere private I can go and change?”
“Oh, sorry about that. My manners must be slipping.” He points down a long hallway to my left. “It’s the third door on the right. Your welcome to any toiletries that are in there.”
I nod and turn on my heal ready to get this over with and get on something that doesn’t stick to me. Nicholas blocks me as I pass by him. I white-knuckle the clothing in my hand as my body tenses under his unyielding gaze. He licks his lips and once again his gaze finds its way to my chest. “Do you need any help changing? Those pants might be tricky to get off.”
My eyes widen in disbelief before narrowing in anger. I locked my teeth together so hard they hurt. Regret washes over me. I should never have accepted his help. My only hope now is that I can get out of here without any further delay. I steeled my spine and refused to show the fear clawing at my chest. The boys taught me years ago that I wasn’t a mouse, and when confronted with a problem, you handle it, you never run.
“I don’t think my boyfriend would appreciate that. He’ll be here any minute now, and he is terribly protective of me.” I force a smile and lock my eyes with his. “I’m going to go change, and then I need to get back to the party. I have friends waiting for me.”
Without waiting to see if he understood my veiled threat, I walk down to the bathroom and lock myself inside. He wasn’t lying about the pants being a bitch to take off. The beer made the denim stiff and unwavering. After tugging them down my legs, I wash myself off and redress in the borrowed clothes. I gather up my soiled clothing and prepare to leave. The less time I have to spend in Nicholas’s company the better. Before opening the door, I take a moment and shoot Cammy a quick text.
Me: Spilt your drink all over me. Changing clothes at Daniel’s friend's house. Will explain later. Heading back now.
Not bothering to wait for a response, I store my phone away and head back to the living room. Nicholas is waiting right where I left him. The cockiness he had before I left seems to have left him as he speaks. “I knew I was right about the clothes. They fit you perfect.”
I nod, still feeling a bit uncomfortable from before. I hesitate a moment and then ask, “Do you have a bag I could borrow to put my dirty clothes in? I’m afraid I’ll drop something if I have to carry them around in my arms all night.”
“Oh, sure.” He takes the clothes from my arms and hands me back my drink from earlier. “I’ll find something you can use. Relax, and make yourself at home.
I roll my eyes at the thought of this place ever feeling like anything other than a Moslem. With a huff, I perch myself on the edge of a large wingback chair and drink my lukewarm beer. I’m not sure how much time has passed, but I’m starting to think Nicholas has either ditched me and gone back to the party or forgot I was here. I stare down into my now empty cup with a sigh.
A strange noise catches my attention. I giggle when I realize that its just my phone, although it sounds different somehow. Pulling it from my jeans, I fumble with it for a moment, then hold it up to my ear. “ello.” My tongue feels thick and heavy, making my words sound distorted.
“Addison?” I recognize the voice. Dex is here. He sounds upset. “Baby, where are you?”
“Umm.” Where am I? I turn my head and look around the room, but everything around me appears blurry and out of focused. It’s like looking into a fun-house mirror. What is happening to me? I blink a few times, but it doesn’t help. The phone in my hand feels heavy. I try and keep it to my ear, wanting to hear more of what Dex is saying, but my limbs refuse to listen. The phone drops and I watch helplessly as it crashes to the floor.
My eyes are still zeroed in on my phone as a hand reaches down and picks it up. Nicholas bends down until his eyes are level with mine. That emptiness I saw in him before swallows me whole. Panic like none I’ve ever felt grips me as my muddled mind tries to make sense out of what is happening.
He licks his lips as he places my phone on the table, far from my reach. “Feeling tired yet, Princess? The pill should be kicking in by now.” He reaches out and pushes a strand of my hair off my face. I want to tell him to keep his hands off me, but I can’t. It's taking everything in me just to keep my eyes open.
Nicholas scoops me up into his arms, and the room begins to spin. I close my eyes as a tear slips down my face. I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. I feel trapped and useless against him. I should’ve listened to Dex, but I was so set on being my own person and thinking that I could handle whatever came my way. I was stupid, and now I was going to pay the ultimate price for my stubbornness.
More tears fall as Nicholas lays me down on a bed. I lay limp as he begins undressing me, moving me however he sees fit. My stomach turns, and I feel violated and dirty with his hands touching me in places that are only meant for Dex. I don’t want this, and yet, I don’t now how to stop it. Laying in only my lace bra and silk panties, Nicholas takes a step back and ogles my body hungrily.
His lips quirk up. “I’m going to enjoy this. When my step-sister said, she had a girl for me, I never thought you would be so fucking hot.” I feel the weight of his body as it presses down on mine. I try and push him off, but my weighted limbs uselessly thrash about. Nicholas laughs and pulls me closer to him, pressing his erection against my skin. My stomach drops and bile fills my throat.
“Lacey said to fuck you hard. You should’ve never got on her bad side. My stepsister has a cruel streak and you somehow landed in her crosshairs. I’ve been asked to to ruin you, to fuck
you to the point that your stupid boyfriend won’t want to touch you after I’m done.” He leans down and licks a path from my breasts to my collarbone. My body jerks in revolution. “People saw you willingly leave with me. I’ll tell them you begged for it. Lacey will back my story and take a few pictures of us fucking as proof. We’ll make it look consensual.”
Tears drench my face. My mind can’t comprehend everything he’s saying, but I know enough to realize that I can’t succumb to the blackness trying to take me over. If I give in, I’ll never be able to stop this. I have to fight, not just for myself, but for the boys. I might be able to come back from this, but they never would. They would blame themselves, and that can’t happen.
Fueled by the rage burning inside me, I open my mouth and scream. My voice cracks at first but holds firm. Cursing loudly, Nicholas reaches for my face. I twist my head left to right trying to keep his hands off me. A kernel of hope blooms inside my chest and spurs me on. My lungs ache, but I keep fighting. I hear a growl and a crack before the pain registers. I taste blood and feel the wetness of it coating my lips. The bastard punched me. My face burns as tears cloud my vision.
I hear shouts in the distance, and I think someone is calling my name. The noises get louder and louder. I want to respond, but I’m too tired. The fight has left me. With a shuttered breath, I succumb the blissful darkness.
Chapter Twenty- Three
Dex
“I fucking hate hospitals.”
The last time I was here was when I was fifteen. Jimmy had attached a rope to an old limb next to our clubhouse. He thought it would be cool if we used it to climb down to the ground instead of using the ladder like a reasonable person. He and Nate dared me to try it out first. I never turn down a dare, not even a stupid one. The rope was old and snapped the moment my feet were airborne. I fell hard, fracturing my arm in two places. The boys were too scared to think straight. It was Addy that came to my rescue. She ordered Jimmie and Nate to run and bring my mother then she sat beside me and stroked my hair until she arrived. Listening to her sweet voice is the one thing that helped keep my mind off the pain.
I ease out of the bed and begin pacing. The small room only allows me a few steps each way. I don’t care; I’ll take whatever I can get. I feel like a caged animal in here. My head’s been spinning since we found Addison drugged and scared at that fucker’s house. The longer I sit, the more fucked up it gets. I need an outlet, something that I can take my frustration and anger out on, but until Addison is cleared by the doctor’s, my retaliation will be put on hold.
Nate grunts. “I think most people would agree with you. Hospitals give me the creeps.”
Jimmie jumps in, giving his thoughts on the subject. “It’s the smell. All hospitals have a distinct smell. Do you think that’s what death smells like?”
“No. You’re smelling all the disinfectants they use,” Nate answers with an eye roll. “Death reeks of mildew and dirt. At least, I think it does. That’s what the last funeral home I went to smelt like, and that place was full of death.”
“Would you three please shut up? I’m trying to get some sleep, and the last thing I want to hear while lying in a hospital bed is a conversation about death.” Addy’s tired if not a bit irritated voice is music to my ears.
The guys and I jump into action and crowd around her bed. She’s been sleeping for hours now thanks to a cocktail the doctor gave her to help her rest. I frown at the dark bruise formed on her face from where Nicholas hit her. I’ve been fighting to keep the images of his hands on her out of my head. My anger rises to the forefront, and I once again have to shove it back down for the time being. I’ll soon have my chance to let it all loose and give Nicholas the ass kicking he deserves but now isn’t the time. Not when Addy is hurt and needs me. Her well-being comes first.
I sit down on the bed beside her and sweep my lips across her cheek. “How are you feeling, Jelly Bean?”
A weary smile comes over her. “Tired and my head hurts, besides that I’m okay. She closes her eyes and leans into me. “My memories are a bit fuzzy. I remember everything up to when.” She pauses and takes in a shaky breath. “I remember my feeling heavy and not having any control over my body. And him. I remember Nicholas and what he was trying to do. Everything after that is blank.” Her head turns to me, and the devastating look in her eyes makes me want to hold her close and never let her go. Her voice breaks as she speaks. “Um…he didn’t. Did he succeed?”
I grimace, and she notices my reaction. Her eyes go wide, already thinking the worst, so I quickly speak up, not wanting to upset her any more than is necessary. “Hell no, baby. The guys and I got there and stopped him. That fucker won’t ever touch you again.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. Breathing in her familiar sweet scent helps to calm me. “No one will ever touch you again. I promise.” My words are said with a conviction that stems straight from my soul.
Jimmie stepped back and tapped Nate on the arm. “Let’s go find my mom and the doctor. They’ll be glad to hear that Addy’s finally awake. I have a feeling they’ll want to speak with her.”
I released my hold on her while she gave them both a hug before they turned away and headed down the hall. I knew they were both trying to give us some time together, and I appreciated them for it. The moment they left, I crawled next to her and wrapped my arms around her, holding her close to my chest. My heart began hammering away in my chest as I fought to find something to say. Everything that came to mind seemed inconsequential compared to what she had just gone, though.
I watch as she shifts on the bed, making it so that our eyes meet. “I need details. All of them,” she presses.
My lips press together as I consider what to say. I don’t want to talk about it, but with the cops now involved this shit isn’t going away anytime soon. “Cammy got worried when you never came back. She texted Jimmie asking if we had seen you which as you can imagine, did not set will with us.” I pause for a moment as I recount the panic we all felt.
Addy lets out a long sigh and props herself up on her elbow. “I’m sorry I worried you.” Her eyes were sad as she stared at me. “I was stupid for not listening to you and wondering off. I only went with Nathaniel because he was a friend of Daniel’s. Finding out that he was Lacey’s stepbrother, which I never knew she had, was a slap in the face. You have every right to be upset with me.”
A bitter laugh escapes my lips. “I was livid when I found out you went to the party without us. I get that you wanted to have fun with your friend, and we were messing that up, but when Cammy called in a panic looking for you, I lost my shit. I’ve never been so scared in my life. We were parking the truck when we got the call. I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to find you or stop whatever was happening in time.”
She nods in understanding. “How did you find me?”
“Nate gets all the credit for that. While we were running around screaming your name, he signed into your account on the Find My Phone app, and we followed the GPS to Nicholas’s house. The bastard locked the door, so we had to break the glass to get it in which slowed us down. We arrived in time to hear him spill his guts about Lacey’s involvement.” I reach up and stroke over her dark purple bruise, the reminder of how it came to be makes my stomach churn with acid. “I couldn’t get to you before he hit you. I failed you. I will never forgive myself for that. I didn’t protect you the way I should, and that’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
“Don’t you dare blame yourself for any of this,” she suddenly shouted. “You helped save me from being raped. I fought for as long as I could, but I was no match for his strength. I don’t ever want to feel that helpless again.”
I couldn’t bring myself to speak, so I just nod. She has absolutely no clue how much she means to me. I’m not sure even I did until I thought I might lose her. Seeing her pinned to that bed with that bastard hovering over her did to me, his hands touching what's mine, sent me to a dark place. I yanked him off her and hammered my fist
s into him over and over. It took both Jimmie and Nate to be able to pull me off him. Seeing blood dripping from the cuts on his face and nose gave me a sliver of satisfaction, but it wasn’t nearly enough. He deserves so much more. When the time is right, I will destroy him and Lacey. That bitch will get what's coming to her.
Every time I close my eyes, I see it all over again. Those dark feelings come rushing back, only stronger. It’s eating at me, and I don’t know how long I can fight it. Hearing her voice brings me out of my head. She is my anchor that keeps it all away, without her I would be lost.
“So what happens now?” She asks.
I sit there for a long minute before I speak. This is where everything gets messy and as much as I want to tell her that everything works out and we will all live happily ever after; I can’t promise that. I avoid looking at her as I speak. “The police have Nicholas in custody, but his attorney is already working on a deal with them. He could get anywhere from a lesser sentence to time served.”
“How is that possible?” I pull her closer to me as her whole body begins to shake.
“The moment the cuffs were on his pansy wrists, the jackass wouldn’t stop talking. He’s blaming Lacey, saying that she was behind everything, and he was merely a puppet doing her bidding. He’s even claiming that she was the one to supply him the drugs to knock you out. The DEA is offering him a deal in exchange for his testimony against her in court.”
Her brows knit together and I can practically see the wheels turning in that smart head of hers. “What about my car being vandalized and all that shit that happened at the school? Is there any way to prove she did those things?”
“No, but someone else has come forward and they can pin her with the school stuff. Destroying your car will possibly be the only thing she gets away with.”
