Page 66 of Bound To Me

I nodded. “Very. What made you reach out?”

She looked down at the table for a moment. “The trial was very hard, and I was really upset that they didn’t let you testify. I thought it was bullshit. You deserved to be there; he hurt you so much.” Her voice wavered as if she was about to cry. Seeing the pain and sadness on her face as she looked up at me, I almost started to cry again too.

Instead, I just shrugged. “Someday he’ll get what he deserves. I’m just glad he’s no longer free in the world.”

She smiled and chuckled lightly. “Me too. Do you think you’ll eventually press charges against him for…for what he did to you?”

I quickly shook my head. “No one will believe me. Why bother?”

She was quiet as she studied my face. “I’m sorry. They barely believed me. What the fuck is wrong with the justice system? It makes me wish he’d just drop dead for everything he’s done.”

I smiled at the thought. “Or someone kills him.”

We both stared at each other for a moment. Her face was serious as she said, “If he ever tries to hurt either of us again, let’s just do it ourselves.”

Now

I knew where Michael would be. I wanted to find him before he could find me. A week had passed since our last encounter, and Elliott and I had stayed hidden in our Santa Monica hotel. I had replaced my phone since he had taken my last one, but Michael continued to call both of us through a blocked number, leaving cryptic messages about how I still belonged to him and how I would soon be back with him again.

So I let him believe that. I showed up, suitcase in tow, at the beautiful Los Feliz home he had purchased for us. With my heart racing and tears already streaming down my face, I rang the doorbell. The tears were real, mostly because I was scared, but I wanted him to think they were for other reasons.

My heart dropped to my stomach when he answered the door wearing nothing but his joggers. His body was glistening with sweat, and his lips curled into a smug smile as he took me in. I hated that my body still felt weak at the sight of him.

“Sweet Jackie. You’re back.” His deep voice was laced with mockery.

“You were right, Daddy. I belong to you. I tried to make it work with him, but you were so fucking right. I still love you more than I’ll love anyone,” I cried, my whole body shaking with sobs.

Michael glanced over my shoulder, then looked down the street, as if he expected to be raided.

“You know what will happen if you come through these doors, Jackie. You will be my pet. Is that what you want?” His eyebrows were raised expectantly.

I paused in confusion. Why was he asking me? Did he know I was trying to trick him?

“Yes, Daddy. Please,” I begged, terrified to my core.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Get on your knees and beg like a good girl, sweet Jackie.”

My jaw clenched but I did my best to appear as the sweet, naive Jackie that Michael had known so well. I got onto my knees in front of him and looked down at the ground. “Please, Daddy. Please let me be your pet.”

“Eyes on me,” he snapped.

My eyes flickered up to his. The pull to him was becoming stronger, but I knew better this time—I had my guards up and locked, with the image of Elliott and our plan being my saving grace.

“If you come through these doors, you will never be allowed back out. Do you understand?”

Of course I understood; he meant the doors literally and figuratively. And I wanted him to believe me when I nodded my head and widened my eyes. “Yes, Daddy.”

He grinned and put his hand to my chin.

“Crawl inside. Then undress and get on all fours.”

Oh God. This better work, or else I’m royally fucked.

I crawled my way inside, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I heard the door close and lock and felt Michael’s presence hovering behind me. I got back onto my knees, shrugged off my jacket, and began undressing. My surface wounds were scabbed and almost healed, but they were somehow stinging as I pulled my clothes off.

“Do as I said, Jackie.” He was angry as he bit the words out.

My body was shivering as I got back onto my knees and dropped my hands to the floor. I could hear the whooshing of blood through my ears, the pounding of my heart practically knocking me over.

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