Page 46 of Neverland

Chapter 13

NOW

Everyone was on edge.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed the personality change in Dominic. Like me, most the girls had experienced violence and sexual assault from him, and also like me, they knew any sudden shifts in behavior did not bode well for anyone. Then there were those who’d never been in his line of fire. The strong ones. The ones who would challenge his advances. Ones like Monique.

“Mon,” I said, approaching so she could see my face in the mirror. She smiled when she saw me while still expertly applying her lip liner. “Can I ask a favor?”

“Baby girl, anything for you.”

“Do you mind if I use your cell to make a quick phone call?”

Monique paused her application before turning to face me, crossing her long dark legs. She shook her head, eyes trying to make sense of the situation she knew I was trapped in. “He checks your recent calls now, too?”

I didn’t quite know how to answer, and eventually, I told the truth. “He forbids me from having a cell.”

She leaned forward and hissed. “He forbids you?” Monique’s eyes widened in horror. “Girl, I don’t know what he holds over you, but this shit is messed up.”

She had no idea, yet she had more idea than anyone, especially now that Blaze was dead.

Monique inched closer, eyes darting to each side confirming we were alone. “Did you hear?”

I shrugged. “Hear what?”

“Rumor has it that guy Dominic had beat up isn’t dead.”

My heart thudded painfully. “He’s not?”

She shook her head, raven-colored curls falling over her shoulders. “I’m not quite sure what his deal was coming in here and thinking he can wave a shotgun around like that.”

I felt instantly dizzy and flopped down on the sofa. Monique and the other girls would have no idea who Jonny was. They were never close enough to Blaze to know that was her boyfriend. They’d never bothered to ask what her real name was, otherwise they’d known the man waving the shotgun screaming out Nicole’s name was the man she loved and all he wanted to know was what had happened to his girl. And while everyone thought Jonny was batshit crazy, he had every right to be.

“Have you seen Blaze?” Monique asked.

A lump formed like hard cement in my throat.

No one knew.

No one knew that only a few nights ago, Blaze was killed right above their heads.

No one knew she’d been carried out in a body bag.

No one except Anton, Momma G, Dominic and myself.

“Are you okay?” she asked, taking my hand in hers.

“I’m fine,” I replied but the words sounded hoarse. “I just haven’t slept much.”

“I can tell. You’re pale even with makeup, and your eyes are bloodshot.”

Clearing my throat, I needed to get off this dangerous path. “Your cell… do you mind if—”

“Of course, take it! Anything to stick it to him for thinking he has power over you.” Monique swiveled back around and searched her handbag under the dresser before turning back to me. “Here,” she said, handing me her iPhone. “Pin is 2909. I’m ducking to the loo but take your time.” Monique squeezed my arm. “Just don’t get caught. I’m not sure what this mood is of his, but I’m fairly sure nothing good is going to come out of it.”

I could promise her it wouldn’t.

I watched as she left the room and closed the door behind her. Pulling the card from my bra, I entered Monique’s pin then keyed in the number. It took a few turns, my hands shaking with a fear I just couldn’t get a grip on. Finally, I put the cell to my ear and waited. I counted five rings before he answered.

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