Page 44 of Exile

The closer we get to the police station, the more paralyzed by fear I become. Dominick is going to be livid about my escape attempt. Will he keep his anger in check while we have an audience? Can I attempt to get help at the police station? Would anyone believe me over him? I’ve seen his many awards and commendations decorating the walls of his home. His reputation is spotless. Dane hasn’t said anything else to me since we started driving, but the tension radiating from him is palpable. He doesn’t seem completely comfortable with the situation, but he is also clearly not going to get in the middle of it.

When we pull into the lot, I suck in a breath when my eyes land on Dominick leaning against his car, arms crossed, a cold mask of indifference on his face. A cold sweat breaks out along my hairline as I frantically try to come up with a plan to get away. Maybe if I make a big enough scene, he will be forced to play nice and let me go? He can’t choke me or scream at me in public without giving up his dark secrets. I settle on that plan of action, prepared to become a screaming banshee as soon as he opens the door to retrieve me.

My plan dies a swift death when Dominick throws a wrench into it by slipping into the role of the concerned fiancé. Tears shimmer in his eyes, and his voice sounds relieved as he declares, “There you are! God, I was so worried about you.” My stunned confusion allows Dominick to pull me into a hug so tight it makes it almost impossible to breathe. My body is stiff and unyielding in his hold; my skin crawls under his touch. Into my ear he whispers, “Be a good kitten. Your friend is currently at a protest, and I’ve got eyes on him. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to him if it were to become a not-so-peaceful protest.” His threat makes my blood run cold in terror. “Nod if you understand.” Weakly, I bob my head in confirmation, and Dominick pulls back, a vicious smile playing across his lips.

“Come on, Kitten. I’m done for the day; let’s go get some dinner.” Dominick glances over at Dane who is looking at us, brows pulled together in what almost looks like concern. “Thanks, man, for picking my girl up. She can get kind of emotional at times, and I didn’t want her wandering off, getting herself hurt to prove a point to me. I’ve got it from here.” Realizing he has been dismissed, Dane jerks a nod at Dominick before turning and heading into the police station, leaving me alone with my own personal monster.

Dominick doesn’t say another word as he uses a bruising grip to drag me to his car. I don’t fight back or complain, fear for Kai’s safety ensuring my compliance. When we are both settled in the car, he speaks, his tone back to being cold and unamused. “Did you really think you were going to get away, Serena? I thought you were a smart girl.”

His comment cuts, causing fresh tears to spring to my eyes. I keep my head down, blurry vision focused on my trembling hands sitting in my lap. Frustrated by my lack of response, Dominick grasps my hair in a punishing grip, turning my head, forcing me to look at him. “I asked you a question, Kitten.”

“I…I…was scared. You scared me. I-I was afraid of what you’d do when you came back.” My words are punctuated with sobs, my terror flowing freely now that we are alone.

“And you thought running away would save you?” Dom shakes his head and tsks like I’m a child who just told him a fantastical story. “You never have to be afraid of me, Kitten. Not as long as you do what I say. I told you before: you’re mine. I take care of what’s mine. I also don’t ever lose what belongs to me.” He leans in, capturing my lips forcefully. When I refuse to reciprocate, he pulls my hair so hard it feels like he’s going to rip it out at the root, forcing my mouth to open to let out a cry of pain. He deepens the kiss, invading my mouth with his tongue. Pulling away, he licks the salty tears from my lips, the devilish smile that used to make me weak in the knees tugging his lips up at the corner. “God, I love the way your tears taste.”

On the drive back home, I finally work up the courage to ask him, “How did you know I left?” My voice and body are still trembling. I don’t know if I’ll ever not be afraid again.

Dom lets out an amused snort like I made a funny joke. “I have motion-activated security cameras all over my property. Do you really think I’d leave something as precious as you unsupervised and unguarded? Not on your life.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

KAI

I’m sitting in the library going through pictures I took at the protest over the weekend, trying to decide which ones to submit to the local paper. I got some excellent crowd shots and more than a few of a woman giving an impassioned speech seeking police reform. Her son was shot during a routine traffic stop. My heart clenches as I find one focused on her face, her expression equal parts fury at the injustice of it all and grief over the loss of her son. In the background, I can make out the blurry outlines of the police—all kitted out in riot gear on the perimeter—lending an ominous juxtaposition to the emotion pouring out of her. I decide this photo is front page material and send it to my contact in the newsroom at the Birch Falls Times.

The buzzing of an incoming call on my phone draws my attention away from my work. It’s a local number I don’t recognize, and it has me wondering if Marcus already got my email and saw the pic. I answer it while continuing to scroll through the rest of the images from the protest. “Yeah, Kai here.”

“Kai, honey, it’s Laura.”

I sit up, my attention fully on the woman on the other end of the call. I haven’t spoken to Laura since her move to Whispering Grove, and the nervousness in her voice has me on full alert.

“What’s up, Ms. Laura? Everything okay?”

“Have you talked to Reenie lately? She was supposed to come visit this weekend, but she didn’t. She hasn’t called either. I just was wondering if she had something else going on and forgot?”

I can hear the worry and hurt in her voice that Laura is trying to mask. Her question causes a pit to open up in my stomach. Serena wasn’t in class today either.

“You’re…sure she didn’t come?” I ask hesitantly, trying not to offend Laura by calling her memory into question. She lets out a frustrated sigh.

“Yes, I’m sure. I always write down when we speak or see each other so I can keep up with what’s going on in her life. It’s not like her to not at least call to tell me she can’t make it. I tried calling her, but her phone went straight to voicemail.”

“Right, um, she wasn’t in class today either. Maybe she’s sick?” I don’t believe the words coming out of my mouth, but I don’t want to give Laura more reason to worry until I know what’s going on.

“Yeah…maybe you’re right. Do you mind checking on her? I’d call Dom, but I don’t have his number.”

I can tell Laura doesn’t want to bother me, so I do my best to put her at ease.

“Yeah, yeah, no problem. I need to hook up with her for a project in class anyway so I’ll reach out to her. I’ll make sure she calls you when I talk to her.”

“Thanks, honey. Tell your mom and dad I said hello.”

I’m already packing up my laptop before we hang up, the burning need to find my friend spurring on my movements, despite Dom’s previous threats to stay away from her playing in the back of my mind.

My first stop is Brewed Awakening to see if Serena went to work today. Marie is behind the counter looking frazzled and way more pregnant than any person should. Serena might have been on to something when she joked that Marie was pregnant with a baby yeti. When Marie sees me, she manages to flash me a tired but friendly smile.

“Hey Kai. What can I get you?”

“Actually, I was looking for Serena. Did she come to work today? She missed class, and we were supposed to meet up to study.” I make up a lie, trying to get a feel for how much Marie knows without raising too much suspicion. I don’t want it to get back to Dominick that I’m looking for Serena without a plausible reason.

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