Page 77 of Violent Delights

“You know, my ex-boyfriend, he always said that I was broken because of the way my father treated me and my mother,” I say. “He insinuated that I like to be punished because I was hit as a child. But I don’t want to believe that, and I don’t think it’s true.”

I pause, listening for him outside the door, to see if he’ll interrupt and silence me again. But all I hear is the steady sound of his breath as he waits for me to continue.

“My father was an asshole,” I go one. “I’d never want a man to treat me the way he treated my mother and me. No. I want this. I want you. I want what you’re able to give me.”

I hesitate again, trying to hold back the tears as they threaten to choke me up again.

“If you send me away now, I feel like I will lose you forever,” I proceed. “And I’d rather rot in here for days than to never see you again.”

I can’t help but to start sobbing again, another rush of tears running down my face.

Outside, I can hear him moving, but he’s not banging against the door this time. He’s not hammering against the wood or yelling for me to come out and leave.

“Let me in,” he says instead, his voice soft and defeated.

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