Page 18 of Look how well You take this C*ck

Taking her bags up to my room, the sound of laughter follows up from the kitchen. I was worried about how the leak would affect Ellie, but it seems she’s taking it better than I imagined. That or she’s hiding behind her laughter and will have a breakdown later.

Shooting a quick text to Reed, I ask him to start digging into everyone with knowledge and access to the new information we’d only discovered a day prior. By Monday morning, I want the asshole in cuffs. I don’t care who it is; I won’t back down from the fight that’ll come from arresting a fellow officer.

CHAPTER 12

Ellie

“Are you mad?” I whisper to Damon, glancing back to where Lars works on his laptop at the kitchen island while we’re on the sofa watching a movie.

“About what?” Damon looks genuinely perplexed.

“Me and your dad?”

Damon and Jaime are the only real friends I’ve had through this storm, and I’d hate to mess things up. Especially with Jaime’s parents no longer allowing her to have nothing to do with me right now.

“You know I pushed him to pursue you, right?” Shocked, I slowly shake my head. “He didn’t think you’d want anything to do with his old ass.”

“I heard that,” Lars grumbles without looking up at us.

“Whatever, old man,” Damon snarks back.

“Not too old to kick your ass, boy.” I love their banter.

Damon rolls his eyes. “My point is, I’ll never call you Mom, but I’ll be thrilled to have you in my family.”

“Mom?” I whisper in mock horror.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll have you knocked up soon enough that you’ll be a mom this time next year.” I blink slowly, staring at Lars, who has now glanced up to give me a playful wink.

“TMI, Dad,” Damon groans, dropping dramatically onto the floor and covering his face with a pillow.

“You’re the ones engaged in the conversation; I was just providing some helpful commentary.” Lars returns to his work like he hasn’t just dropped this bomb in front of his son.

Before either of us can respond, both mine and Damon’s phones start ringing at the same time, which is weird, but as I get a look at mine, the blood drains from my face as I grow lightheaded and feel like throwing up.

There, in vivid color, is an image of my naked back in the shower, scars from years of abuse on display for what appears like the entire world to see.

“Ellie?” Damon’s hesitant voice is gentle as he sits up next to me. He’s blurry because of the tears swimming in my eyes, and I can’t seem to find my voice. “Is this real?” I can only offer a slight nod as I stare down at my secret.

“What?” Lars’ fierce voice breaks the fog, and I hide my phone. Damon, however, offers his as his dad approaches.

“Jesus.” The disgust in his tone sends me into a panic. “Who the fuck would send this out?”

I speak clearly. “Carly.”

When I came home last weekend, I thought someone had opened the bathroom door, but I couldn’t prove it, so I never said anything.

“What the hell for?” Lars bellows as he gets on the phone with someone.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse.

“Ellie?” I hear Damon’s voice, but it sounds like he’s speaking through a tunnel. I can’t focus on the words, only the sounds, as I drop back into the arm of the couch, staring up at the ceiling, wondering if this is how the rest of my life will go.

The daughter of a serial killer.

Abused by the only parent I have left.

Tormented by ignorant bullies who have no idea what it’s like to walk in my shoes.

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