Page 13 of Evidence of Deceit

“Humph.” Claire fiddled with her cup, turning it round and round. Then looked at Sam. “Oh, I tried. I left a couple of times, but each time I left, Keith found me, and the punishment got worse.”

Mark and Sam shook their heads.

“The abuse got so bad that I finally confided in my friend, Theresa, who worked in his office. I hoped Keith would see the error of his ways and enroll in anger management classes. She and her husband confronted Keith. The next thing I knew, they were out of their jobs and had to leave New York because they were blacklisted.” She sighed. “Keith has a lot of clout in the city. He flaunted that fact in my face all the time. He threatened the same action to anyone I told.”

“Why didn’t you go to your parents?” asked Mark. “They would have helped.”

“Damn, I need to call them and let them know I’m okay.” She took a sip of coffee, her hands shaking. “I’ve been putting it off, and I’m sure Keith has visited them and told some lie.” She exhaled loudly. “Anyhow, you asked why I didn’t go to my parents. Keith threatened to ruin my father’s business if I did.” A sob escaped. She put her head in her hands. “I am such a loser. I let Keith take everything from me.”

Sam got up and hugged her. “You are not a loser. You are a survivor. You did what you had to do. But we’ve got your back, and you will never have to be afraid again. Do you understand?”

Claire nodded. She was exhausted from the stress—fromlife. They talked a little more about her life until she yawned and stood up. “Well, now that I’ve dumped my problems on you, I’m exhausted, and I think it’s time for me to go to bed.”

She couldn’t wait to get into her room. The sympathy on Mark and Sam’s faces was too much to bear. She didn’t want pity, but she needed their help.

The bastard lied to him.

Keith had walked outside with Mark but not before noticing the crossword puzzle and pen on a side table. Only one person that he knew did crossword puzzles in ink. The cousin had walked out with him, chatting like they were old friends and lying through his teeth. Well, Mark would pay for that. He knew a few politicians in the state government who would love to look at Mark’s construction business. He would ruin the bastard but not before he brought Claire home.

He drove back to his hotel, fuming the whole way. Lying on the bed with the TV on low, he remembered the last time Claire had disobeyed him and he had to bring her home.

He had taken her once. Violently. That’s what she got for defying him. He thrust and thrust into her, relishing her moans of pain.

The next time he got her home, he wasn’t going to be so kind. The thought of how he was going to punish her made his cock hard, and he took it out to relieve himself—again.

Damn bitch. That’s what she was for.

Chapter Seven

It was quiet—too quiet.

Claire woke up suddenly. Had Keith come back? Was he sneaking up on her? She strained to hear any noise. Where was Mark? Her heart was thumping, keeping time with the alarm clock. She sat upright, rubbed the sleep from her eyes and tried to orient herself. In the early light, she thought she was still in the floral-wallpapered bedroom she’d shared with Keith. It always looked so peaceful. So innocent. But just like her handsome husband, both hid dark, dirty secrets.

Had she just imagined Keith found her? She shook her head.

She was safe at Mark’s house. For now. But she hadn’t dreamt that Keith had found her. He had. She needed to make plans to leave before he returned—before he ruined Mark and Sam’s life. And he would. Where to go? She didn’t have unlimited options.

She lay there for a long time and finally pushed herself to get up. Couldn’t get on with the day if she were lying in bed.

First things first—a cup of coffee. She rememberedthat Mark told her he had to leave early for a meeting at his office and to help herself in the kitchen. Sam had to work but made her promise that she’d call if she needed anything. She shrugged. What would she need? A new life? One without Keith in it, for sure. Sam couldn’t help her with that. She needed to help herself.

She made the coffee and found some milk and sugar. She sat at the kitchen table. Sunlight filtering in from the window made everything look bright and cheerful. She let out a heavy sigh and wondered how her life got so messed up. She only wanted to be happy, to have a man to love and one who would love her back. Not too much to ask. Was it?

Looking at the clock, she realized she had been sitting too long. The one thing she was sure of was that Keith would come back. She needed to get going. But to where?

Mark had given her the password to his computer. She typed it in and then searched the internet for shelters. Damn, the list was long, and she needed a specific type of shelter. Down the list again.

There.

An 800 number to call. She dialed it and explained her situation. They gave her an address and told her that someone could pick her up. That wasn’t happening. She didn’t want anyone knowing Mark’s address. She would get there on her own.

It was a few miles away into the city but too far to walk. She got her purse and counted what little money she had. It didn’t take long. She had just enough for a taxi. No extra for a tip. She thought about calling Sam, who had been so kind and volunteered to help her. However, she had a feeling that Sam would insist that she stay at Mark’s house. She couldn’t put anyone else in danger. She needed to do this for herself—time to pull up her big-girl panties and be strong and brave.

She called the taxi and packed her meager belongings.The little carry-on was a far cry from the huge designer suitcase she used when she and Keith traveled. She found a notepad and thanked Mark and Sam for their hospitality and told them she was on to her next adventure with a friend who lived in Miami. She apologized for bringing her troubles to them and said that she would be okay and would let them know when she arrived at her friend’s house.

Looking around the comfortable living room, Claire was thankful for the respite and for Mark and Sam’s concern. But it was time to move on before things got worse—and they would.

A honk out front announced the cab’s arrival. Claire doubled-checked to make sure it was the cab and that there were no other cars on the street. She wouldn’t put it past Keith to be stalking Mark’s house.

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