Page 34 of Honey Trapped

Maybe it’s her bringing Lennon home or Ace is already back from wherever he took off to. I check the peephole and see Eileen of all people. My brow furrows. What’s she doing here? I swing my door open. “What? Come to light my hair on fire this time?”

I notice two things.

There’s no smart-ass remark from her and two Marco is standing to her left with a gun pressed to her neck.

“Invite us in, sweetheart.”

My first instinct is to say fuck you and slam the door in his face. Eileen is a cunt. But as much as I don't like her, I won’t let her die because of me. It’s me Marco wants.

I step aside and he shoves Eileen inside. The moment the door closes I try to hit send on my call to Gianna.

“Give me your phones. Both of you. Now,” he barks.

Prison hasn’t been kind to Marco. An ugly, red, puckered scar runs down his face that wasn't there before. I hand over my phone and Eileen wordlessly gives hers. Are they working together? Did she track him down and bring him to my door?

Marco drops both devices to the hardwood flooring and stomps on them with his boot. I cringe when I hear the cracking of the screens.

“Who are you?” He questions Eileen. I guess that answers those questions.

“Not this bitch’s friend if that’s what you’re worried about. She’s a home-wrecking whore.”

Marco’s jaw grows tight and without warning he pistol whips Eileen. She drops the floor with a sickening thud as her head makes contact with the corner of the coffee table. I stare in horror at the gash on her brow as blood seeps through the wound. I read once that head wounds always bleed and appear more serious than they are. For her sake I hope that’s true.

“Have you completely lost your mind?”

“Caught her peeking through the windows next door.” He shrugs. “And no one talks about the mother of my child that way. I’m here for my family, Norah. We can be together. I know you were scared, but I won't hurt you.” He takes a step toward me, outstretching a hand to my face. “I was angry, but I’m a free man now. I missed you.”

He strokes my jaw and ice coats my veins.

My stomach bottoms out at his touch. I want to vomit. “You raped me,” I manage to get out.

“You were confused. That’s what they wanted you to believe. I’d never hurt you.”

“But you did. Marco, you raped and beat me. That’s not love.”

“Stop saying that,” he grits, getting up in my face, but I don’t cower. Not this time. No more running. “We created a life together.”

I shake my head. “No. You raped me,” I cry. “You hurt me. Violated me. Took away my choice. Tore away parts of me I thought would never heal.” Parts of me that Ace found, I think to myself.

“Where’s my daughter?”

“She isn't yours,” I hiss.

It’s the wrong thing to say because his hand flies back and strikes across my mouth splitting my top lip with his family crest ring. I lick my lip tasting a trickle of blood.

“I’ll ask you one more time, Norah. Where’s my daughter?”

“She’s not here.”

“Tried to do this the nice way but you want to be a bitch.” He grabs hold of me and drags me kicking and screaming to a dark SUV parked behind my car.

I break free when he goes to open the passenger door but the minute I take one step he tackles me to the ground. His weight press down on me from behind. Memories I’ve fought hard to forget rise to the surface, and I break.

“You win. I’ll go with you.” More tears fall as presses his lips to my cheek. I glance around praying one of my neighbors sees what’s happening and calls it in.

“Be a good girl, Norah. You don't have to fight against me. I want us to be a real family.” His lips meet my ear and I retch. I swore to myself he’d never touch me again. I made myself forget his touch and now its all fresh and raw all over again. The pain he caused. The havoc he wreaked on my life.

Marco pulls me to my feet, and I comply. I get into the passenger side without further fight. I have to think about protecting Lennon. This isn’t justabout me. I’ll never let this monster touch my daughter. He tucks the gun in his waistband. “I won't restrain you, but if you do anything stupid, you’ll force me to be the bad guy here.”

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