Page 13 of Resolutions

I stare numbly at the evidence of his power.

“Melanie. Leave now or my men move in.”

On the tablet, one man touches his ear, nudges the others. All three stand.

“NO!”

“What's it going to be?”

I have to leave. I can't think. I can't fight this, not here, not now. With shaking hands, I throw everything in the box - papers, phone, tablet. Add my purse and coat.

“Through the closet. Hallway to main floor. Bottom, right, exit door? You'll come out near your car. My man is watching. GO NOW!”

Looking back at my wedding dress one final time, I duck through the small door into darkness. I almost pee when I bump into Mr. Daggers. Michael wasn't going to let me go. That thought lands on me like a ton of bricks. I stumble and go down on one knee. The man easily picks me up with one hand, gives me a small flashlight, and points. I swear I can hear my world shattering behind me.

Chapter 5

Melanie

The hidden passageway swallows me in darkness, Mr. Daggers' heavy presence at my back, making each breath feel like borrowed time. The beam from my small flashlight barely penetrates the gloom, casting more shadows than light. Each footstep echoes off the narrow walls, his much closer and quieter than they should be. The musty air tastes of old wood and secrets, the confined space making my wedding day perfume cloying and suffocating. Reaching the door, I turn.

“You don't have to do this. You could help me,” I say, gathering every scrap of courage to face him. My head barely reaches his chest. In the dim light, the dagger tattoos on his cheeks look like fresh wounds.

His eyes rake over me like physical touches. “If I were in charge, I'd do worse.” The sneer in his voice makes my skin crawl. “Be glad it's not me.”

My car sits three spots from the building's side entrance. My hands shake as I dig for my keys, the chirp of the unlock seeming obscenely loud in the morning quiet. My finger brushes the indentation where my engagement ring should be - a phantom reminder of the life I'm being forced to abandon. One final scan of the surroundings and I sprint, diving into the driver's seat. The engine roars to life and I'm gone, forcing myself to drive normally despite every instinct screaming to floor it. The last thing I see in my rearview mirror is Mr. Daggers watching.

Slow down. Don't draw attention. But where will I go? Where can I go? Each turn of the steering wheel feels wrong, like the car is willing me to return to what I've lost today.

The car announces, “Incoming call from Michael,” and I choke back bile. No fucking way am I talking to him. I need time. Need to think.

Rule one: Answer the phone, plays in my head. But I don't care. I have to figure things out.

Yes, my apartment, I can grab essentials before he thinks to look there. Thank God I haven't moved completely out yet. The phone keeps ringing with bridesmaids, friends, my mother-in-law. No doubt wondering where their bride has disappeared to. If they only knew. If I could only warn them about Michael.

Getting to my place, I step out of the car before I've put it in park. Inside, I throw on a pair of sweatpants, a sports bra and a t-shirt. Opening a suitcase, I started grabbing things including the bride robe I was wearing, my mind racing faster than my hands can move. Work files, spare laptop, anything I might need to survive whatever this nightmare has become. A soft brush against my leg nearly stops my heart before I recognize Moses. One of the sweet men in my life, a long-haired grey cat.

“Shit! Moses, I almost forgot you! Stay right there, pretty boy. I'll be right back.” My hands shake as I stuff his food and toys into a bag. He's going with me. Normally, he'd be at the house.But I brought him here while we had the party and wedding. Tonight, my in-laws were to pick him up and take him to their place while we went on our honeymoon at the house.

In-laws. Coming here. Tonight. My eyes scan the room while my brain runs through ideas. Grabbing a piece of paper, I scribble:

FROM MELANIE: PLEASE READ.

Michael is bad. Very bad. He's why I left, something about them wanting me. Not good. Not sure how I'll get in touch but I will. All our phones are bugged. Make sure Mom and Aunt are safe. Moses with me. No matter what, I love you all.

I take the note and a can of cat food and place them on the counter.

“They go for the food; they'll see the note. Thank God.” The feeling of hope brings tears to my eyes. “Guess you're not so smart after all.”

Thank God for ground floor apartments. I make two frantic trips loading the car, then scoop up Moses. A photo on my desk catches my eye - Mom, Aunt, and me from last year's visit, one of Mom's rare lucid days. My throat closes remembering her laugh, how she'd held my hand and admired my new engagement ring, even though she couldn't remember Cameron's name. Moses' rough tongue on my chin pulls me back. No time for memories. I grab the photo and run.

“Mew meww!” Moses protests as we race to the car.

“Sorry handsome, we have to hurry.” I settle him in the passenger seat where he immediately stands to peer out the window, ever curious despite our circumstances. At least one of us can maintain normalcy.

“Incoming call from Cameron, my love.”

My heart stops. Shit, shit, shit. I can't. If I tell him anything, he'll come after me and Michael's sure to be right there. He's in the wedding. No... no. I can't risk it. My thumb traces theindent on my finger where Cameron's ring should be, where it would have been forever if Michael hadn't destroyed everything. At least for a moment I can keep Cameron safe.

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