Page 79 of Aftertaste

I’d caused that.

“Thalia,” he said again, but I didn’t turn to face him. Maybe me feeling like this would help. Maybe I’d finally not give a fuck and stick up for myself in a way I’d never done before.

I stood, feeling a sudden rush of bravery. “What?” My gaze connected with his, and for a split second, shock flashed over his features. But it was gone as soon as it was there, replaced with darkness and an anger I wanted, an anger Icraved. I needed something to distract me, something to stop me feeling the way I did. And maybe Dale would help with that. Maybe fighting against him and what he did would stop me feeling so alone. “What do you want?”

His nostrils flared, his body carefully still. It was the calm before the storm. A storm that threatened to eradicate everything in its path.

“You,” he said simply, taking two steps toward me. “I want you to know who the fuck you’re talking to like that.”

I laughed, sounding eerily similar to my mom. “I know exactly who I’m talking to.” I slammed my hands on my hips, something deep inside me telling me not to back down, not to give in. Too many times I’d tried to stick up for myself then reverted back to a meek version of myself.

That wasn’t who I was. Not inside. Inside I was a powerful woman, one who didn’t take any shit. Maybe it was time forhimto realize who the hellIwas.

Dale pushed his shoulders back, seeming to get taller right in front of my eyes. “You’re gonna regret that.”

“Yeah?” I raised a brow, sick to fucking death of him. “What are you going to do, huh?” I threw my hands up in the air. “You’ve already done the worst things to me. So what else is there, Dale? What else can you possibly do to me?”

He moved closer, leaving only a sliver of space between us. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.” I rolled my eyes, looking away for a split second. That was my first mistake. His hand came out of nowhere, slapping me across the face. I stumbled to the side, but he didn’t stop, he followed it up with a punch to my cheek, and one to my eye for good measure.

My face throbbed, a trickle of blood leaking from my lips. He had me where he wanted me: confused and dazed.

“I’ve been real damn kind to you, Thalia,” he ground out, pushing on my shoulders so my back was pressed against the table. My legs windmilled, my feet trying to find the ground, but it was no use because he was using the weight of his body against me.

“Get off!” I screamed, hoping someone—anyone—would hear me.

His hand encircled my throat, pressing down so hard I was afraid he would break my neck. I clawed at his arms, trying to kick and fight. But he just laughed. He laughed like I was a silly little girl who didn’t know better. “You wanna know what I can do to you?” he asked, his voice deeper now. “I’ll show you what I’ll do.”

He snapped my legs apart, pushing his hips between them. I squirmed, trying to get away, but a punch to my ribs soon stopped me. I willed myself to keep fighting, to not let go of the anger I felt, but it was waning.

His hand grasped the waistband of my leggings.

“No, Dale. Please. No.”

He didn’t answer me, not when he stared into my eyes as he yanked them off me, ripping them in the process, and not when he undid his jeans just enough to get his cock out.

“Hold still, little sister.” He winked and my stomach rolled, vomit threatening to spew out of my mouth.

“Don’t,” I pleaded, hoping the one word would stop him. Hoping the four letters would somehow make their way into his brain. But they didn’t.

He stared at me, his eyes lighting up.

And then he was thrusting inside me.

I felt the tear of my skin.

I heard his groan.

I saw stars as he squeezed my throat tighter.

And I prayed. Prayed that this would be over soon. Prayed that he’d squeeze so hard he’d kill me, because I wasn’t sure I could live anymore, not after this. Not after what he’d done to me.

Eyes Wide Open

Haven

Haven: She’s eighteen. I found out after she stayed at my place.

I waited for his reply from my out of the blue message. It had been two days since he’d seen me at Vibe, and I hadn’t been able to bring myself to message him until I was in the break room at my day job. I had a room full of patients to go and see, yet I was standing here waiting for a reply.

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