Page 30 of Cook

“Vivi,” said Leo, raising his voice again. “Vivi, see Maddie. She’s sitting down. Why don’t you sit down? I’ll boil some more water for tea. Maddie, don’t move.”

The words tied me to the seat. My limbs were no longer my own, though my mind screamed for me to move. I needed to get out—escape!

Fucking get up, Maddie. Move, move, move! the brave Maddie yelled at me from inside.

But I was weighed down. My body had taken Tommy G.’spunishment before, and it remembered. It knew.

I knew.

And I had to retreat. Leave. I pinched my eyes shut. If I waited long enough, then this would all be over.

Go to your happy place, Maddie, I ordered myself.

In the background, Vivi laughed like a little girl and Leo Finch called for her.

Happy place, I reminded myself, but then Tommy G. was laughing in front of me. His cock out, stroking it with a drugged gleam in his eye. He pointed his one-eyed monster at me. It was coming—I didn’t want it!

No!

I thrashed, turning my head from side to side as strong arms wrapped around me. I fought, not that it would do any good.

“Maddie.” Demanding but gentle hands stroked my back, and I lurched back.

Who had me? It wasn’t Tommy G., but he was still here, in front of me. He was going to get me.

“Maddie,” the man repeated my name. His hot breath was on my skin.

I tried to dodge away, but he held me. His thick arms wrapped me up and held me together despite how I jerked. He was so close. Closer now.

Get off, I wanted to say, but that was how I had earned cuts and bruises before. Words made men grab their blades and use them on my skin. Complaints were why they threw me against the wall and wanted me to scream with every blow they dealt.

If I was a good girl, a quiet girl, I would get rewards. Breaks. They allowed me to rest. But I wanted him off. I wanted to be out of here.

Tommy G. laughed as he grabbed his dick from his pants, pointing the purple head at me. Again. Always that disgusting thing that only got hard once he’d hurt me.

He peeled back his lips, showing his white teeth. He was a shark, about to chomp down on me. My blood would fill the water, stainingit red. The metallic taste would seep deep in my mouth, and it would consume me. He would bite me, tearing off pieces of my flesh, and would claw at me, rip out my hair, and use me as his own.

“Maddie,” the man growled. His hot breath scorched my hairline. “Open your eyes. You’re safe.”

There was no safety, but I could be safe. I could save myself.

“Get off of me!” I pushed the man away, no matter how he tried to hold onto me. I scratched my nails into his skin until his blood flowed. I wanted more of it. The scent tickled my nose.

He hissed but then released me. “Maddie, open your eyes. It’s me. Cook.”

Cook? I knew that name, but did I know him?

“Maddie.” He picked me up, and my head fell against his chest. His heartbeat was thundering, and mine matched it. Leather and cinnamon filled my nose.

“Maddie,” he repeated.

I finally opened my eyes. My breath came out as a rasp, and I sobbed. He had come back to save me. “Cook.”

Chapter 6

Cook

How many times did Ihave to fuck up until I figured out what would work? Maddie and Mom and poor Leo, the Army medic turned home health aide. I didn’t know he was coming today, or I would’ve called to reschedule.

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