Page 64 of Submission

I remember Hunter’s words and aim the gun at the largest part of Samuel’s body, his middle-aged gut. I’m debating whether or not to pull the trigger when, out of nowhere, I hear Hunter’s voice, “I think that’s enough, Megan. Put the gun down.”

My eyes dart over to where he’s standing in the room. Lars and Parker flank either side of him. I look from him to Lars, remembering what the older man had once told me in the bathroom as he had tried to comfort me. He had spoken of his daughter so lovingly.

My eyes flicker back to Samuel, who’s looking over his shoulder at them.

Why did I come into the world in such an ugly way? Why couldn’t I be loved like that? Why couldn’t someone love me like that?

My insides feel numb as I stare at Lars, feeling an irrational jealousy of the daughter he lost. I don’t realize that I’m crying until I feel the wetness on my cheeks.

It hurts so much.

It’s like someone is ripping my heart to shreds, and I can’t stand it.

Hunter moves toward me, and Samuel says in a grateful tone, “Thank God someone is here. She’s lost her mind. She was trying to kill-“

Hunter silences Samuel by punching him in the mouth, making him stumble back.

“Dad!” Rachel screams, then turns to Hunter. “What are you doing? She’s the one who attacked us!”

“Get her out of here,” Hunter orders Parker while Lars wraps his arm around my shoulders, taking the gun from me.

“I want to see.” I struggle with him, my tears still falling. “I want them to die!”

Hunter cups my face roughly, forcing me to meet his gaze. “That’s what you want?”

“Yes!” I plead.

He moves even closer, and I can smell his whiskey-laden breath as he speaks again.

“I will always give you want, Megan, but after what I heard, I think death is too easy. It’s the easy way out. If you trust me, then trust that I’ll make them suffer. They’ll answer for every tear they forced from you and for every bit of humiliation. I swear to you. Leave them to me, and I’ll get your revenge for you.”

Hunter and I have spent many erotic nights together, but the words he’s just said to me might just be the sexiest thing he’s ever said. While I may never have a father’s love, I’ve got something way better.

Hunterwonderful-assMiddleton.

“All three?”

“All of them, baby.”

“She’s a murderer!” Samuel pleads for mercy in a high-pitched voice. “Don’t listen to her lies. She killed her own boyfriend in cold blood!“

“Good for her.” Hunter looks down at him before kicking him swiftly in the groin. “Take her to my place, Lars, and make sure you and Parker secure this floor.”

Samuel’s story of what he did to my mother keeps spinning around in my head. He’s a monster, and I don’t want to leave until I see him being carried out of here in a body bag.

“Come on,” Lars says quietly. “I’ll take you upstairs.”

On our way to the elevator, we pass by Parker, who isn’t wearing his normal smile, as I exit the apartment.

“Where are you going?” Rachel screams after me. “Get back here, you bitch!”

Parker quickly wraps his hand around Rachel’s throat and forcibly seats her on her ass in the hallway. “Quiet.”

“Hand me my gloves, Parker,” I hear Hunter request icily, and just as the elevator doors close, I take one last look inside the open door of my apartment and see a look of panic spread across Samuel and Veronica's faces.

For once, in our toxic dynamic, they are the ones in fear for their lives.

Not me.

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