Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“I know.”
His blue eyes narrow on me as he shakes his head. “I’m not going to take that chance. Any man who did to you what he did and forced you to live in conditions like this deserves to be dead. And if he were to walk through that door right now, I’d kill him with my bare hands.”
The mention of death and killing turn my stomach, and I feel faint, but I quickly shake it off. I have to. I can’t reveal my secret ever. To anyone.
“You are coming home with me where I can keep you safe from him.” He takes in the garbage in the kitchen again. “From all of this.”
I draw a deep breath to steady myself, then nod. I’m grateful for Phoenix’s offer, but it won’t be easy adjusting to being dependent on him. Still, I can’t stay here. After one last look around the living room, I gather my courage.
“Okay,” I say, “but just until I find another place. Until I get on my feet.”
I make my way to head to the bedroom, but Phoenix reaches out to grab my arm. “Where are you going?”
“To pack some clothes.”
“We’ll buy you new clothes in town. Everything in this place smells of mold and puke.”
I try not to be offended by him saying my clothes stink, but the reality is he’s most likely right. But I also can’t have the man buying me clothes on top of offering me a place to stay.
“Daphne still has some things at the house,” I say.
“We’re stopping on our way back to get you some items. Final.”
“You don’t have to do this,” I say, offering him one last chance to back down.
“I do.”
With that, he places his hand on my lower back and leads me out of the trailer to the waiting car. I don’t even look back to say my goodbyes. This part of my life has to be over. Never go back. Never return.
Chapter
Eight
Ani
“Go on inside the store.” Phoenix leans his head back against the leather seat as if too exhausted to come with me. He’s sweaty at the temples. Why is he so clammy and pale? “I texted Linda a list of everything you’ll need. She knows to just charge it to my account.”
I look at the boutique store in surprise. “You just want me to go in there and get clothes?”
Lulu’s is a boutique that sits on Main Street, and before this day, I wouldn’t even consider walking through the doors. It smells rich. It looks rich. It is rich.
I am not.
“I’d go with you but...” He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. “Linda knows what you need.”
Phoenix has clearly hit his limit of helping me. His mind and body seem to be shutting down, and rather than argue with him on not accepting this charity, I enter the store with the intention to make this as quick as possible.
The bell hanging off the top of the door announces my entrance, and my face heats up. I don’t belong here. One glance tells me that much. It’s raining outside, and I’m afraid I’m going to track in puddles of water, so I stand entirely too long on the mat, swiping the wetness off my feet.
“Hello, hello,” a cheery woman calls out from behind the counter on the right of the store. She holds a phone, reading what I can only assume is the text from Phoenix. “Ani, right? Go ahead and look around. Let me know if I can help you with anything. My name is Linda.”
I don’t want to be in this store any more than Phoenix does, but I can’t walk out empty handed. It will make Phoenix feel as if he’s wasting his time. So, I’ll be quick. In and out.
I don’t even know where to start, but if I’m staying at Olympus Manor, I’m going to need something classier than just jeans and a T-shirt. I pick out a black, long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder dress. It looks like one I saw on the cover of a magazine once, and when I hold it up in front of me, I stare at it with joy, unable to believe someone is buying this for me. I’ve never had a dress like this before. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had anything this nice, and it makes me feel weird. I look around the store, considering what else I need, so I pick up a pair of black skinny jeans and a pair of black boots.
I approach the checkout register and hand Linda the items.
She looks up at me and smiles. “Oh, that’s not enough. Phoenix sent me a detailed list of what he wants.” She places the dress, jeans, and boots into a bag. “But this is a good start.” She takes me by the hand to the changing room. “I just need you to try on a couple things. Once I know how they fit, I can get the rest of the items without having you try on everything. I have a really good eye for sizes.