Page 43 of Dark, Forbidden, & Taboo

She doesn’t know that he more than likely still wants her.

I knew this was going to be a fucking catastrophe.

“In there,” I say as I point at a closed door down the end of the second hallway we’ve turned down. “I’ll listen to anything you have to say in there.”

Davina squares her jaw as she kicks the door open and then makes a sweeping gesture with her arm. And even though I’m angry right now, I can’t help but chuckle quietly.

Ever the tomboy, she’s wearing heavy, black boots with her pretty creme and light blue colored dress.

“After you, Princess,” she snaps.

I sigh.

This is going to be harder than I thought. I always knew that Davina wouldn’t easily accept an apology, but I also know that it’s not going to stop me from trying.

I close the door behind us, turn around and face Davina, who’s perched on the edge of a large, heavy oak wooden table, arms crossed over her chest.

Here goes nothing.

“Listen—”

“No,youlisten,” she interjects. “I’m here because I want you to know something.”

I clasp my hands in front of me and ask the universe for the patience that I know I’m going to need.

“Your bullshit lies? The ones of me forcing myself on yourdaddy,” she continues, grinding the last word between her teeth, “ruined my fucking life.”

I lower my eyes to the polished floor and take a steadying breath before I look at her again.

“Did you know that Josephine didn’t send me back to the home? Yeah, her buddies? They dumped me in one of the most dangerous parts of the city. I was fourteen years old, Emily.Fourteenhaving to figure out how to survive in a brand-newfucking world that I knew I didn’t belong in. Do you know what a fourteen-year-old has to barter with? Pussy.”

“Davina—”

“I’m not finished!” she shouts, balling her fists at her sides.

I nod, my mouth tightening into a solemn line, while she continues her barrage.

“Luckily for me, I only had to whore myself for scraps,literal scraps to eat¸until one of the men that runs most of that vicious colony noticed me. But you know, having been raped repeatedly by your preciousdaddyhelped. Disassociation, when you’re being used, is easy when you’ve had practice. But that’s not the best part. Are you ready for this?”

No.

“Yes,” I lie softly.

“I wasn’t just trying to feed myself. Most days, I didn’t eat at all because I had another mouth to feed. You see, when Josephine extracted me from the house and had me tossed to the feral animals, I quickly realized I was going to have to become one myself. Do you know why? Do you?”

I feel sick.

Something in the pit of my stomach is telling me the answer, but I’m so terrified to say it because if I do, then it’ll be true.

Even if it isn’t.

“You’re an aunt, Emily. Or is she your sister?” she asks, tilting her head to the side and tapping her chin in mock thought.

“I’m sorry,” I finally whisper as a tear rolls down my cheek. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I would have helped you with the baby.”

“I don’t need your fucking help,” she snarls. “Andthe babyis nine years old now. She’s a beautiful girl, with a big heart, and herdaddy’seyes. You’ll never understand how hard is it to lovesomeone else so deeply, but feel fear when they look at you with the same eyes that haunt your waking and sleeping moments.”

Davina looks away for a moment, her lower lip trembling as she reaches up a crooked finger and quickly swipes away a tear.

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