Page 34 of Gunner

“That’s so far from the truth. You haven’t asked him for anything.”

“And yet we have everything.”

“Because he wants to do it, Nat. You didn’t ask him for anything. He’s doing these things because he wants to.”

“Doesn’t change how I feel. Did you know he already bought baby supplies?” I ask him. Rick shakes his head the closer we get to our old grounds.

“I didn’t know that, but at least he’s preparing.”

“Do you ever miss this?” I ask him nodding toward the alley where we used to sleep at times.

“Honestly? No. Not having to beg and shit for food and a place to stay has been nice. Remy said he was going to let me work in the garage to make some cash,” he tells me. I didn’t know about that, but I’m glad, I’m happy for him.

“That’s news to me.”

“Yeah, he just told me about it. I like working with my hands, so I think it’ll be good.”

“You’re a hard one to track down.” The voice sends a chill down my spine. My eyes widen as I look to Rick for help but I can’t form words to say it. He turns quickly, but I don’t. I stay frozen in place.

“Who the hell are you?” he asks. Before any other words can be spoken, I hear him groan in pain. Fear keeps me paralyzed. I should be running. I should be screaming for help, but I can’t. I’m frozen in place.

Rick falls to the ground as I drop to my knees. This is it. It’s all over now.

“Get up, Natasa.” I can’t move. I glance over and see the blood coming out of Rick’s stomach, and a cry escapes my lips. Then I’m being yanked to my feet. Another cry falls free as I’m yanked toward a car.

“Walk, Natasa!” My feet don’t want to move. My body feels numb as Clark half drags me to the car. He shoves me inside as tears fall down my cheeks. This can’t be happening. Not now.

Clark climbs in the car next to me and orders the driver to drive. As we take off, his hand comes to rest on my thigh. I cringe, not wanting him to touch me.

“I didn’t realize you were still a little whore,” he says when his hand moves and rests on my stomach. I want to throw up. I want to scream and jump out of the car, but I can’t.

“What do you want?” I manage to ask him weakly.

“You, of course. You ran from me, Natasa.”

“You hurt me.”

“Oh, I’m going to hurt you worse for running. Now we have this little bastard to deal with, too, don’t we?”

“You can’t hurt my baby, Clark. Please.”

“I like to hear you beg. Maybe I’ll raise this baby as my own. Make him just like me. Wouldn’t that be great?” My stomach churns, acid burning my throat. I can’t let him hurt this baby. I won’t. This baby is all I have, and I won’t let him take that away from me.

“Please, Clark. Just let me go.”

“Why would I do that? Hmm? You’ve always been mine, Natasa. Always.” Just hearing him say the words makes me sick. I don’t want to be his. I’ve never wanted to be his. More tears run down my cheeks as the car comes to a stop. When I look up, I realize where I am. Clark’s house. The same place he raped me. The same place he let his friends rape me and the same place myparents sold me to him. I vowed never to come back here, and here I am.

Clark climbs out of the car before yanking me out behind him. All my thoughts are on the baby right now. I won’t fight him just yet because I don’t want him to hurt the baby, so I follow him as he leads me to the front door. When we step inside, I heave. Clark shoves me away from him, and I stumble and fall to my knees. He doesn’t care. He never has.

“Get up,” he demands. I shove myself up and stand, swallowing hard as he calls for someone to clean up my mess. “You know the rules here. They are no different from when you were here before.”

“You can’t do this, Clark. Please, just let me go.”

“Why Natasa? Why would I do that?”

“Because you can find someone else. Someone better than me.” He walks over and cups my cheek in his hand, making me want to throw up again.

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

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