Page 37 of All Your Firsts

“You boys done, or do I need to hose you down to cool you off?” I glance down, and my gaze softens. Charlotte, Trey’s dad’sold lady and one of the few women I trust. Char’s been a mother figure to me since I was a kid.

“Sorry, Char,” I say, watching as she shakes her head, causing her short jet-black hair to sway against her neck before she walks away. I’ll be hearing about this one later.

I head back to the table where Ax is sitting to grab my phone. I’m ready to go, and Rosie will be, too, once I find her.

“So that was fun. I like this new Vic. He hasn’t been out to play in a long-ass time,” he says with a grin.

This is my ugly side, and I like to keep it locked up tight. I’ve channeled my rage into other parts of my life, like working out and sparring with the guys, which won’t get me locked up again.

Freedom means more to me than chaos and destruction. Tonight was a slip, but I don’t regret it.

Not when it comes to her.

“Don’t get used to it. It was a—”

“Statement,” Ax supplies with a laugh. “Dude, you’re fuckin’ screwed, and if you don’t see it, you’re an idiot.”

“And you’re a dick. You know that.”

“I do,” he says, looking like the title makes him happy.

I take a swig of my beer and ignore him while I look around for Rosie.

Nine

Rosie

‘Daddy’s looking for you, Rosalinda.’

A single sentence from a man with the stench of cheap beer and body odor was all it took to douse my flame and leave me trembling in fear.

It serves as a stark reminder of the things I can’t escape.

My family I can’t escape.

Then, Vic came, like a dark, twisted knight in shining armor. Though he and I have been at odds, I don’t know what I would have done if he wasn’t there to save me.

This was a gigantic mistake, but I can’t tell Vic that or about the guy’s comment. He’d never let me out. I’d be under house arrest, and that’s somewhere I never want to be again.

I can’t tell him. I won’t.

But what if they come back for me?I’m sure once they run back and tell my father what happened, things will get worse.

My lips tremble, and I feel burning behind my eyes at the hopelessness of my situation. I lean against the hall outside thebreak room on shaky legs while trying to catch my breath. I have to get it together.

“There you are.” I lift my head and see Vic advancing on me. He can’t see me so shaken. He’ll know something’s up.

I ignore him and walk around the dark corner, heading to the bathroom to freshen up. My heart nearly flies out of my chest as I’m pulled by the arm and hit the wall with a little thud.

“What—” That’s all I get out before Vic’s hand wraps around my throat, and his forearm rests between my breasts with a firm hold to keep me from moving.

“Yes, what the fuck are you doing here?” Vic says as he puts a little more pressure on my throat. Not enough to make it difficult to inhale, but to show dominance. Which should unsettle me, but what really unsettles me is how his hand calms me.

My nerves. My anxiety. My crippling fear. The shaking in my hands. It’s all gone.

His hand anchors me to the moment and to him, and that’s the worst of all.

“Working,” I say as I will my body not to think about the newest revelation. “Let me go!”

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