Page 22 of Innocence
There were two kinds of evil in this world. The obvious ones, like my stepfather Ralph. The vileness of their soul was visible to the world. They looked like the monster they were. And then there was the other kind.
The evil that drew you in with a pretty face and whispered lies. That was the truly dangerous one, because they weren’t just evil, they were alluring. Pulling you in with their siren’s song.
Enzo was the latter. That much I knew. His finely tailored suits and pretty smile didn’t fool me. I saw the monster hiding in his baby blues. I felt the darkness, and I still let my guard down.
While I was strung up in those handcuffs, I’d had plenty of time to wallow in my stupidity. Telling myself he was lost or something. That was why he was in the alley. Falsehoods meant to make me feel better. And look where I was now.
‘Don’t worry, Pet, you’ll understand soon enough.’
He’d pretty much told me he had nefarious intentions. Yet I stuck around, praying for a plausible explanation. Why did I insist on seeing the good? How many times was I going to excuse the actions of others?
Mom had a bad day, or Ralph will calm down after he has a couple beers. When was I going to learn, the world was full of bad people? Angie knew that. Why couldn’t I accept it?
I sucked back a shuttered sob and pushed my body up, groaning at the ache radiating across my shoulders. Was I ever going to see my sister again? And what the hell was all over this blanket?
My thumb pressed into one of the dry spots marking the fabric. It disintegrated. Flaked apart like the shale mounds by the rock quarry I used to play at on the edge of town.
My brows furrowed as I squinted against the darkness and fingered another one.
What is that?
Realization smacked me in the back of the head so hard it lurched me back. I didn’t stop there. I pushed past the pain in my screaming arms and crawled away as fast as I could. My limbs could fall off for all I cared. I had to get away from…that.
My back smacked off a wooden post, launching my heart forward. This wasn’t far enough. I needed to get out of the room. But where was the door? I didn’t see it in the light, how was I supposed to find it in the dark?
My mind ran through what little of the layout I could remember.Windows, two chairs, a bathroom…
The beating in my chest froze. I’d slept in it. Faded into my subconscious and rolled around while hisstuffmarked my skin.
What if it’s still on me?
My hands lifted, fingers furiously pawing at my stomach. No matter how hard I clawed at my skin, I couldn’t get clean.
Get it off! Get it off now!
My bra was first to go, followed by my underwear. Cast into the darkness in the hopes the grime crawling across my body would go with them.
When that wasn’t enough, I tore the blanket off the bed and hurled it away. I could still feel them though. That tainted fabric was out there, taunting me with Enzo’s masculine grunts.
Every breath I took pulled more of his scent into my lungs. Drowning me in the haunting aroma of rich spices and earthy tones. What was worse, my body responded, warming at the memory of his firm hold.
‘That boy pays you pretty good, what else are you doing for him?’
My legs folded as I hugged my knees and began rocking. I wasn’t doing anything. Just tutoring.
But you wanted more.
No I didn’t. Blake was cute, sure, but he didn’t see me that way. He didn’t look at me like… I licked my lips and tried to swallow back the deep voice pouring through my thoughts.
‘Open your eyes, Pet.’
My body shivered, thinking about what my captor had done. How he made me look at him while he got himself off. Made me not only see his dark desire, but feel it.
You liked it. That’s why you let him take you.
No. I tried to fight back. I ran. I tried to get away.
Why are you here then? Why are you still thinking about him?
