Page 76 of One Spicy Summer

“Tampons,” I lie easily.

His large frame looms over me. “You always were a sneaky, little bitch, Presley. Always had a quick answer.” He crowds my space, breathing rage. “You know what happens to girls who lie and cheat on the men who give them everything?”

Something snaps inside me. It might get me killed, but I don’t care. At least I’ll leave with my dignity.

“Everything I ever wanted?” I snarl. “You think you gave me that? All you gave me was bruises, needles, and nightmares. It was easier being numb, easier when I was so doped up I didn’t have to care. But I’m done. This isn’t who I was supposed to be. Not by a long fucking shot. So fuck you, Keifer. Fuck your piece-of-shit friends.This, ” I gesture between us, “is over.”

His face twists into something monstrous. “Over?” he growls, seizing my throat in one giant hand. “You don’t get to decide when it’s over, Presley. I do. And even then, it’s never really over.” I claw at his wrist, gasping for breath. “I knew you thought you were better than me. Even back in high school.” His grip tightens. “That’s why I had to remind you who controls you.”

“What... are you talking about?” I gasp, my voice thin and broken.

His smile turns wicked. “I knew you were pregnant with that fucker's kid. Rygaard’s. Even after he left you, you wouldn’t giveme a chance. So I made sure you needed me. Fed you, brought you drinks, laced every single one with opioids.”

Tears blur my vision.“What does that have to do with my baby?”

He chuckles darkly. “You were high for five months straight. Your body couldn’t keep him alive. I killed your baby, and you never even knew.”

His sneer is the last thing I see before the world goes black.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Rygaard

A few days later…

After I finally bared my heart and soul to Rafe and Agatha, they understood what I had gone through, and why it took me almost a year to come out.

Together, we came up with a plan to get Presley free from the vice grip Keifer had on her.

It’s been three days since we put that plan in motion. I'm getting antsy, but I know I have a job to do first.

Bruce, the drafter, is coming in today to go over the revisions Chuck made to the first layout for his store. I'd sent it off right in the middle of everything and didn’t follow up until two days ago. Things are moving, but slowly, and if I want any chance at success, I need to get my head in the game.

Julie walks in with a steaming mug of coffee, setting it down in front of me. “Anything else you need for the meeting today?” she asks.

“Just the refreshments and the updated blueprint for Bruce to take.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get that ready and have everything set by two-thirty.”

“Thanks, Jules.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

Even with everything demanding my attention, I still can't stop thinking about Presley. I haven’t heard from her since the night I showed up at her house.

I pull out my phone and text Agatha.

Me:Have you heard from Presley?

I set the phone down, not expecting a response anytime soon. Agatha understands everything I went through, but she doesn't understand why I couldn’t have just reached out to Presley sooner. In her eyes, I should’ve found a way.

I get it. I do. But they weren’t there. They didn’t know what it would have cost Presley if I defied my father.

And if they can’t understand that… Well, they can just go fuck themselves.

I check the time. Still a few hours before the meeting. Pushing my chair back, coffee forgotten, I head out the door.

“Jules, I’ll be back before the meeting. Want anything while I’m out?”

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