Page 66 of Marks of Rebellion
"Nothing. It's not important."
"It is."
"Why are you pushing me on this?"
He drags me on his lap and puts his hand on my cheek. "What other prison were you in?"
My gut twists. "His."
"Carlos?"
I shudder at his name. "Yes."
Hunter's eyes turn to slits. "He locked you up?"
"No. He didn't have to. It was an internal prison."
"What does that mean?"
"Every move I made, I had to consider carefully, and when I didn't choose correctly..." My heart races faster.
Hunter softly asks, "Why didn't you tell your family or friends what was going on?"
I sarcastically laugh. "I don't have any left."
"Why? What happened?" Hunter gently pushes.
"Carlos made sure everyone I ever loved was out of my life."
"Didn't people see your injuries?"
I snort and take another chug of rum. "Everyone in his house knew. No one cared. And they tricked me."
Hunter takes my drink and sets it next to him, an arm's length away. "How?"
"He had spies. When I confided in one who pretended to befriend me..." I turn away, not able to finish, remembering the beating I took that landed me in the hospital for a week with a concussion and internal bleeding that almost killed me.
Hunter pulls me as close as possible to him.
I'm shaking again. I wish I could not physically react anytime I have a flashback or memory pop up, but I'm not sure how to prevent it.
"Everyone in his house knew the prison I lived in. But outside, we were the perfect couple. Anyone who had ever been part of my life was gone. An internal prison is something you never escape. It spins in your mind all day and all night. So, yeah, there are many times I thought it would be easier just to end it all."
He firmly holds my cheeks. "Don't ever do that."
More tears fall. "If I ever went back to him, I would. It would be better than suffering in silence."
"No, Flower. I would come rescue you."
"You can't. He has a fortress and an army surrounding it."
"Doesn't matter. I would save you, and he would be dead."
I sniffle. "I used to sit on the balcony and look out into the jungle, wondering if anyone could see me and help me. But no one could."
His eyes drill into mine. "I would, Flower. Every day and night, I would watch you, planning the perfect time to execute my mission. You might not see me, but I would be there, watching you."
I run my hand through his hair. "That's a nice thought."
