Page 1 of Beautifully Broken
Reclaiming Ivy
Chapter 1
Blaire
The smell of weed fills my nose as Carson’s right-hand man pulls me through the crowded basement. His grip on my arm is ruthless, and I desperately want to pull away, but I know that will only add to my punishment later.
With how this night is going, I’ll be surprised if I leave on my own, let alone on my own two feet.Wouldn’t be the first time.
Ever wake up and from the second you open your eyes, everything goes wrong?
Because that is exactly what today has been. It’s my fault, though. I should have knowntodayof all days would be anything but a walk in the park.
I made the mistake of saying no to going on a drug run earlier because the gas station pizza I shoved in my mouth late last night turned sour and had me becoming the best of friends with the bathroom.
The instant the word fell out of my mouth, I regretted it.
How dare I disobeyhisorders for once in my pathetic life? How dare I disappointhimand not give him exactly what he wants—correction, demands?
My shoulders sag as we push through the crowd, exhaustion and defeat consuming me as we grow closer tohim. I know I will never have the confidence to tell him to leave me the hell alone. I haven’t been able to for the last ten years, so who am I to think I’ll be able to now?
Especially not on today of all days.
Jerking my arm, the large imbecile in charge of “keeping me in line” glares down at me. “Stop dragging your feet, you stupid slut. Mr. Wilson has been waiting for you for over an hour.”
My mouth opens to argue with the man that Carson refers to as Tank, but I decide against it.
Some may say this is giving in, but those people don’t understand that the alternative is as close to placing me in the ground as I can get while still breathing.
I let out a sigh and tuck my head to my chest. “My apologies.”
The words are like acid on my tongue as I spew the lie. I’m not apologetic because I’m not even the reason we’re an hour late. Tank is. He picked me up from the estate and made a “pit stop” on the way. Also known as a dick and drug appointment that resulted in him running to the car with his pants down and white powder on his nose as the fifth text from Carson came in.
Tank mutters something under his breath, but I ignore it as we step foot in front of a tattered brown door. Knowing the drill, I knock four times, the fifth a steady two-by-three-by-four pattern, and wait for Carson’s command.
“Enter.”
I steel my spine as I enter the cold, ominous room, keeping my eyes downcast so I don’t receive another punishment. My head is still aching from the welt forming on the back of my head from Tank’s belt.
“Want to explain to me why you were late?” Carson’s booming voice echoes in the small space, and I fight every urge in my body to jump.
“My apologies, Mr. Wilson. I have food poisoning and requested Tank to pull over multiple times so I would not dirty your car with my sickness.”
A sound of disappointment mixed with anger fills the silence. “Pathetic. Look at me, slut.”
I wince at the name, but do as I am told, subtly glancing around the room before my timid gaze connects with his.
Carson sits in front of me, his legs wide and his zipper undone. A girl lies between his feet and I can’t tell if she is alive or dead from one of the many drugs littering the room.
Something sour fills my nose and I notice a dark, motionless heap of clothes nestled in the corner.
My eyes narrow, trying to find out what could be making that smell, and that’s when I realize it's not just a heap of clothes.
I feel my stomach revolting, bile rising in my throat, but I push it down as an angry huff escapes from Carson. Peeling my eyes away from theverydead man in the corner, I meet Carson’s bloodshot gaze. “You are needed for a runtonight. If you fail, if you vomit, if you remotely fuck this up, or make me look bad, food poisoning will be the least of your problems. Understood?”
“Yes, Mr. Wilson.”
The sour smell fills my nose once more and it’s almost like I can taste it. My stomach flips and I swallow, wincing at the disgust racing through my entire body. I try to hide it, but Carson doesn’t miss it. His head cocks to the side, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
