Page 44 of Wolf

Her hand is in my hair before I can react, and she wrenches me around before shoving me to my knees.

Unfortunately, we’re too close to the kitchen table and my skull rebounds off the edge. Biting back a cry, I grab my head as she snarls, “You think you can bring shame to me? Me!”

She pounds her chest, her eyes wild and I slowly shake my head. I want to deny it, but I know it wouldn’t do me any good. Even if I weren’t lying, she would never believe me over the sheriff. I’m damned, either way.

“Who?” she spits, and I bow my head. Maybe if I’m quiet, she’ll lose steam. Except Mama won’t let up until she’s satisfied. I could sit here for hours and listen to her rant, or she could slap me around until her arms get tired.

Sometimes she has Daddy use the whip. The worst is the closet though and I’m praying that she will be satisfied by flaying me with her words.

“Answer me,” she shrieks, and I flinch, the sound ratcheting the ache building in my skull.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, and she smacks the side of my head. With a moan, I shrink away as she paces around me, her rapid steps matching the frantic beat of my heart.

Finally, she stops and looms over me once again. Freezing, I close my eyes and brace for impact when she says, “Go to your room. No food. No water. Two days, Lillith Anne.”

My limbs almost fail me as I rise and stagger to my room. I got off lightly. Two days in my room without food and water pales in comparison to the other punishments that I’ve endured. Still, my soul burns at the prospect because for once, my instinct was to fight back, and this does not bode well for my future in the Abernathy household.

“You don’t have any other choice,” Rachel insists, throwing the jeans I borrowed from Darcy at my face.

Grabbing them out of the air, I glance at the door. I’m worried about leaving after Miriam’s experience at the hands of Daddy and his punishment but more so what they will do to Rachel if they find her helping me.

I don’t have a choice, but Rachel does. Regardless, she ignored my pleas for the last thirty minutes while we argued about her being in my room and what I planned to do.

Grumbling under my breath, I slide the jeans on, except once again, I have to suck in a breath to get them past my hips. Why would anyone subject themselves to this kind of torture?

When Rachel hands me the tube top, I eye it dubiously before pulling it on, followed by one of my button-down shirts that I tie around my waist. Maybe I should be more comfortable showing my skin after my first few adventures but I’m still uneasy.

Rachel cocks her head, and I watch from the corner of my eyes as she looks me up and down with a slight smile. Ugh.

Grimacing, I mumble, “Don’t get any ideas.”

With a shrug, she turns away and I watch with a pulse of worry. It’s bad enough I’m caught up in this and Miriam too. I can’t imagine what Mama would do if we all went to the dark side.

I guess I will worry about this newest turn of events when I return because with every minute I stand here, the clock ticking down in my brain sends me into a tailspin of fear and regret. I need to find Wolf and tell him what I know. It’s the only answer that feels right.

I just hope that he understands.

Ignoring the anxiety tightening my chest, I pull my hair into a ponytail and slather on the purple lipstick Darcy gave me. She’s a rough chick with a seriously bad attitude, but I like her free spirit. She didn’t deserve to get caught up in my mess.

The boots Wolf harassed some poor girl into giving me lay on the bed, and I eye them with a frown as Rachel says, “You can’t wear your tennis shoes.”

Rubbing my brow, I say, “I’m not walking all that way in heels. I’ll break an ankle.”

“Here,” she says, holding out her hand.

Looking from her to the wadded-up cash in her palm and back, I shake my head, but she shoves it my way and says, “Yes, call a taxi or a rideshare or whatever. You can’t walk that far, Lil.”

“Rae, that’s your money—“

“I know, and now I’m giving it to you.”

After searching her eyes, I slowly nod, my chest warm when she squeezes my fingers. I’ve never felt closer to her than I do now, but I wish it wasn't under these circumstances. This is so messed up.

“Okay, but I'll pay you back,” I say, stuffing it in my jeans and picking up the boots.

Rachel covers her smile while she watches me struggle into the thigh-high boots and when I stand, my feet instantly begin to ache.

Shoot.

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