Page 34 of Mad Love

Her mouth flattened. “Your father will be upset if you can’t be civil, and we both know he’s not at his best when he’s angry.” A soft, forced laugh made its way past her lips. She walked to the chairs and sat in one, crossing her legs at the ankle like a debutante.

“Where am I?” My hands balled into fists at my sides, my wrists aching from where the restraints had held me down for hours.

“Sit down, honey. I brought you something to eat.” She ignored my question and lifted the lid of the tray.

Yeah. Yogurt and granola were the way to win my trust.

“Where. Am. I?” I enunciated each word even as my stomach clenched and longed for something to eat.

She huffed and straightened her spine before snapping her fingers like I was an errant puppy. “Sit down, Madison.”

I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of me. “Madison? Don’t you mean Madelaine?”

Irritation flickered in her eyes. “Can’t you just do what you’re told for once? Your father is being very generous and offering to take care of us!”

“Generous?” My jaw dropped open. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

She winced. “Don’t be crass.”

I stepped back. “Seriously? I learned that word from you when I was two, Mom.” I waved a hand at her. “Jesus, look at you.”

“Yes,” she snapped, leaning forward. “Look at me. I’m not passed out in a rusty trailer, wondering what orifice I’ll have to sell for my next fix.”

I stared at her for a beat, wondering if it was even worth trying to get through to her. Eventually, I felt that same old sense of guilt and loyalty that was like an anchor around my neck.

Instead of sitting on the vacant chair, I walked to her and dropped into a crouch. I took her hands in mine. “Mom, let’s get out of here. We can go now—”

She ripped her hands away. “No, Maddie.”

I clenched my teeth. “He’s not a good guy, Mom. Gary is—”

“Willing to give us everything we want,” she insisted, reaching out to grab my hands. Her nails dug into my skin, desperate and crushing. “Why won’t you just do as you’re told?”

“Because he’s a monster,” I answered, my eyes searching hers for something. Anything that would let me know she wasn’t buying his lies. “He killed Madelaine.”

She sighed. “Oh, Maddie. Your sister died in a fire. Gary told me all about it. It was a tragic accident.”

My brittle laugh echoed between us. “Are you really that far gone? He killed her.”

For one second, Mom looked completely in control, and then my cheek was throbbing where she’d suddenly slapped me. Caught off guard, I fell on my ass as she glared at me. The look of contempt in her eyes was one I knew all too well.

“Listen to me, you little bitch,” she seethed, leaning forward to grab my chin in her bony fingers. “I’ve finally got the life I was always meant to have. You’re not going to fuck it up for me. Now, do what your father says.”

In that moment, something in my heart broke. Whatever tiny sliver of hope I’d been clinging to that my mom might help me dissolved like cotton in acid. I was on my own, and my mother didn’t give a damn.

“No,” I replied softly before jerking free of her hold and getting to my feet. I ran for the door and wrenched it open as she shouted after me.

My room was near a staircase, and I didn’t hesitate to hurry down it, not sure where I’d go but knowing I had to at least try to get away.

I tripped on the last step and caught myself on the railing, my gaze landing on the exit less than twenty feet away. The glass panes on either side of the heavy oak double doors showed glimpses of the outside. Of my salvation.

Without pausing, I lunged for them and screamed when an arm clamped around my hair and yanked me back. I felt the skin on the crown of my head pop at the force of being stopped so viciously, and tears sprang to my eyes, but I wasn’t sure if it was from pain or frustration at being so close and being pulled away.

“No you don’t,” a familiar voice growled, the pressure on my hair tightening.

I still pulled back, not caring if I went bald in the process. My heart thundered in my chest, the sound of roaring blood filling my ears as I cried out again, frantic to be free.

“Fucking stop.” A hand clamped around my arm, and I lost whatever small leverage I’d had. I was spun and pushed face-first into a wall. My nose hit it hard enough that stars burst behind my eyes, and I vaguely wondered if it was broken. One arm was twisted behind my back, and I braced my free hand to try and push off the wall, but it was useless when the person holding me leaned his weight against my back.

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