Page 95 of Possess

“Why did you run?”

“I was scared.”

“Of me?”

“Not you, but your family.” She spread her hands out in front of her. “Zeke, I’ve never known a family like yours. You care about each other. When Josie started asking more and more about my childhood, I realized I was drowning. If they found out, I’d never be able to live with the looks in their faces. The pity in their eyes would have destroyed me.”

“I’m sorry Josie did that. I did speak with her about it.”

“But you shouldn’t have to.”

“It’s none of their business.”

“Maybe.”

“No maybe about it.” He reached out and captured her hand in his.

“The second I walked up the stairs to go into the party, I knew I’d made a mistake.” He squeezed her hand. “I sat on the steps for a bit, working things out in my head, I’d just gotten up to check in with Dani when that guy grabbed me.”

Zeke’s hands tightened on hers.

“I told him no; I screamed no. I fought, but he was stronger. But I wasn’t about to let anything happen.”

“How would you stop him?”

“Mace.” She gave a small smile. “I carry a can with me when I go to the parties.”

“Smart girl.”

“Yeah, well, you arrived and saved me. So you see, you’re not a failure.”

“I will always save you.”

Her heart swelled, and for the first time, Allyson felt hope. “I’ve never known the kind of love your family has. I know Dani’s grandparents love her, but I never had that. My parents ignored me my entire life.”

“I’m sorry for that. Someone should have called child services.”

“I don’t think anyone realized, but as I got older, it got worse.” A shiver traveled up her spine.

“What do you mean?”

“Once I was older, I realized that they didn’t care about me at all. It was always about them. You know, I tried to get a job when I was sixteen but couldn’t because I had to have parental consent. I couldn’t even get them to sign the damn form.”

“Oh baby. I hate that you were all alone.”

“I wasn’t completely. I suspect Dani’s grandparents knew what was going on, but they had no idea how to approach me about it. Her grandmother made sure I ate dinner with them almost every night, and I spent weekends with Dani.”

“They protected you.”

“I guess.”

“Are your parents still in Montana?”

“Yes. They’re living in some swinger commune there. It’s their life, and I leave them to it.”

“But they had a responsibility to you. It’s amazing that you’re even into the kink lifestyle after all that.”

Allyson grinned. “Well, kink wasn’t what drew me to the parties. I’m kind of ashamed to say this, but I thought that’s how most people lived. The parties and multiple partners.”

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