Page 52 of More Than Nothing
Hey. You there?
She knew he wouldn’t text more unless she answered.
I’m nearly home.
Thea (Roman):
Caitlyn told me what happened in the diner. If you don’t feel safe at any point, please get out of there and call me. I will meet you anywhere. Get in touch when you can.
Elenie rested the screen of her phone against her forehead, committing his message to her memory before deleting it. Shoving her precious cell to the bottom of her bag, she walked toward the house.
Craig Perry’s six-year-old Jag was parked next to Frank’s truck and Elenie sagged with relief. Usually, she would go to any length to avoid the slimeball but, today, he might just be the key to saving her skin.
Closing the front door behind her, Elenie wrapped herself in the cloak of the character she’d been working on all the way home.
Despairing and pathetic, she recited to herself.Defeated, beaten, and humiliated.
Athena appeared in the doorway of the living room. They looked at each other silently. Elenie bit her lip. “Mom.” Her voice sounded shaky and needy in the dim entryway. Not all of it was an act.
“One of these days, you’re gonna push it too fucking far.” Sympathy flickered on her mother’s face, driven out by a tired resignation which was far more familiar. When Athena drifted back into the living room, Elenie forced herself to follow.
Frank lounged in an armchair, glass in one hand, open bottle of whiskey within reach. Craig sat at one end of the couch. Hermother slumped onto the cushions to curl up against the opposite arm. On the television, an action movie she’d seen before rolled toward a climax. Her hands shoved into the front pocket of her hoodie, Elenie watched a fireball engulf two tanks on the screen. There was chaos, screaming, multiple admirable death throes from multiple different actors.
“Craig’s been telling me about last night.” Frank’s tone was dangerous. Elenie tried to estimate how much he’d had to drink. She effected a listless shrug.
“It was a fucking car crash.” Craig grinned. “You should’ve been there.” His phone was in his hand, thumb idly scrolling as he spoke.
Elenie’s skin prickled as Frank examined her face. She kept her eyes on the television and imagined one of the exploded tank drivers was the love of her life, his fiery death, slow and painful. Her soulmate lost to the cinematic battlefield. She scrubbed the back of her hand over exhausted eyes which were satisfyingly hot and moist. The silence lingered way past comfortable. Athena picked her nails, casually alert. Frank watched Elenie.
Craig, seeming oblivious to the undercurrents, tucked his cell into his jacket pocket. “Tell you what, babe. I’ll give you a do-over. To help you out. The business guild gala dinner is on the twenty-fourth and I need to go. Come with me and I’ll even sort you out with something pretty to wear.” He ran his eyes over her body in a way that both creeped her out and had her fuming at the same time.
Fuck.
She hadn’t expected to be put on the spot like this. Frank knew she’d rather die than date Craig; she’d told him often enough. If Elenie wanted him to believe she was crushed, this was a good place to start. She tried to imagine what Roman would say. Craig, Frank, and Athena were all waiting for her to answer.
“Whatever.” Elenie shrugged again. “Might as well.”
“Good choice, Ellie.”
Don’t wink at me, you dick. I swear to God if you wink at me...
Craig winked at her.
“I’m hungry—I need a sandwich.” She waved a hand in the direction of the kitchen.
“I think I’ll come too.” Elenie’s steps faltered as Frank clambered to his feet. She shot a look at her mother.
Athena caught hold of Frank’s wrist as he passed the couch. “Play nice, now.”
“Nice is my middle name.” He bared his teeth in a crocodile smile and followed Elenie to the kitchen.
The silence held the weight of a boulder as she moved between the fridge and the cupboards. Frank looked relaxed but his body language was deceptive. Faded tattoos moving over the muscles of his arms, he pulled a lighter from his jeans pocket. Elenie’s tongue darted out to wet her lips; there was no saliva in her mouth.
“Seems I didn’t make myself clear enough.” His tone was conversational. “Either that or you’re a fuckin’ idiot.” Her stomach rolled; her armpits were damp. Frank flicked the lid of his lighter open and shut. A smirk hovered on his lips. “Are you an idiot, El?”
Elenie kept her gaze fixed on her sandwich, layering a cheese slice between the bread with total concentration. Would he gloat or lash out? She couldn’t tell yet. Her throat was tight, her heart galloped so fast her head spun.
“I bet you feel dumb now. You look as dumb as fuck from where I’m standing.” She flinched when Frank shifted, propping himself up against the counter, so close that her elbow brushed his solid stomach. He grinned, feeding off her fear, a master of intimidation. “Craig’s more than you deserve so don’t screw that up.” Frank lifted a hand, crisscrossed with fine scars, to grip her chin. Elenie held herself rigid, nostrils flaring, letting him feel theshudder that tremored under her skin. “Do us all a favor—keep your mouth shut and open your legs when you need to.” He pushed her face away from him, eyes hard and cold. “Craig’s a damn sight more use to us in the family than a fuckin’ cop. Don’t make me have to remind you of that.”
