Page 41 of The Silencer

Her brows knit together.“Celebrating what?”

I sigh.“Lisa, it’s been three years and this is the first time you’re not feeling the pain and grief that awful day inflicted on you.It’s time to celebrate the new you.The woman who is strong and resilient, and so fucking beautiful she makes me jealous.So damn sweet that you make me happy.And the best friend a girl could ever ask for.”

“Okay,” she whispers.“But you know Orna’s rules.”

I nod.“Yes, I know.Orna’s got Tammy doing the same.I was warned before I left the house.But Tammy is someone I respect and care about.I won’t betray that trust she has in me.”

“Same with Orna.We lucked out with our foster parents.”

I link my arm with hers and walk into the kitchen to get a drink, talking about our families.I’m so glad she’s here.

Hours later, I’m beyond drunk.I’m barely able to see let alone walk.Lisa’s in the bathroom right now.When she comes out, I think it’s time to leave.

“There you are,” I hear a deep voice say and turn to see a guy who was bothering Lisa and I a while ago.“Your friend’s waiting on you,” he tells me, throwing his arm around my shoulders.“She’s been sick.You two really should watch what you’re drinking.”He leads me toward the stairs, and I stumble a little trying to keep up with his longer strides.My head's fuzzy, but all I know is that Lisa's sick and she needs me.We need to get out of here and go home.

I stumble up the stairs, leaning heavily on the guy supporting me.My head is spinning and I'm having trouble focusing.Something doesn't feel right, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is.

"Where's Lisa?"I slur, trying to look around.

"Just up here," the guy says, guiding me down a dark hallway.

We stop in front of a closed door and he opens it, pushing me inside.I stumble into the dark room, expecting to see Lisa.

Ice cold fear shoots through my veins, cutting through some of the alcohol-induced haze.I spin around, nearly falling over in the process.

"Hey, what's going on?Where's Lisa?"I demand, my voice shaking.

The guy flicks on the light, revealing a bedroom, but it’s not empty.Two of his friends are here too.His smile has turned predatory as he advances toward me.

"Your friend's not here, sweetheart," he says."It's just you and us now."

Panic grips me as I realize the terrible situation I'm in.I back away until I hit the wall, my heart pounding.

"Stay away from me," I warn, trying to sound brave even as terror courses through me.

He just laughs, reaching for me."Don't be like that.We're going to have some fun."

The three of them pounce on me.I whimper at the feeling of their hands on me.I try to fight them off, but it’s too hard.I’m so drunk I can barely stand.The men drag me to the bed, and I collapse onto the mattress like a damn rag doll.Their hands continue to caress me, and I try to raise my head, but it’s no use.I don’t have the power.

The door opens and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Lisa enter.She looks pissed.I hate that I’ve got us into this position.I know better than to get like this.I just needed an escape, but now look at me.

I hear cries of pain and turn my head to see Lisa hitting the men with a pool cue.My best friend is a badass and I love her so much.

The door opens once again and I hear loud, deep voices.My heart hammers against my chest.Have more of his friends arrived?Is Lisa going to be hurt?

“Are you okay?”she whispers, watching me carefully.

“Thank you,” I whisper back.“I couldn’t fight them off.I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come in.”

She pulls me against her and I sink into her embrace.“It’s okay.You’re safe now.”

All I can do is lie here as she gets me dressed.I feel foolish and scared.I hate that she’s had to see this and that I’ve let myself get into this position.Once I’m dressed, she helps me to my feet and we walk out of the room, where we meet the two men who entered the room after Lisa did.My eyes widen when I see Emmanuel standing there.He looks so different than the last time I saw him.He’s still got his father’s eyes, but now he has a scar that goes across his eyebrow.

“Emmanuel is going to carry your friend to the car, okay?”the guy who seems to be in charge says.“You’re both safe with us.”

Lisa nods and then glances at me.She has no idea who Emmanuel is and I just want to leave, get her out of this place.“Thank you,” I whisper to the man who saved us.

Emmanuel gives me half a smile, the scar crinkling as he watches me, his eyes filled with concern for me.“You’re safe now.Come on, let’s get you both out of here.”He lifts me into his arms and holds me close to his chest.

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