Page 2 of Jagged Burn
“All we want is Anna,” I say, keeping my voice calm.“There is no need for this to escalate.”I’m trying to keep the peace even though all I want to do is snap this prick’s neck.
“Whatever, man,” he says with a wave of his hand.“I’m done with that bitch anyway.”
Matt lunges and I catch him just in the nick of time.We are civil servants and if this asshole lays a complaint against either of us, we could lose our jobs.Or even end up in prison.
“She locked herself in the bathroom,” he says with a smirk, looking down the hall.“You have two minutes to get out of my house before I call the cops.”
He falls back down on the couch, ignoring our presence as he returns to whatever show he was watching.I point Matt to where the man looked and shove him.
“Go get your sister.I’ll watch this asshole.”
Chapter Two
Knight In Shining Whatever
Anna Alexander, FiveMinutes Earlier
“Matt.”My voice is broken as another sob wracks my entire body.
“Calm down,” he says.“Tell me where you are.”
I try to breathe through the tears but it’s a struggle even though I know I need to talk to him.It takes me a moment before I can finally get the words out.
“One three one nine Blake Street.”I’m not sure he heard or understood me.Until he replies.
“Listen carefully.Lock yourself in the bathroom.”I can hear him moving in the background, soft music filtering through, and I briefly wonder where he is.“We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Sitting on the cold tile floor as I wait for my big brother to come and rescue me, I take stock of my life as it lies in shambles beneath me.When I met Sam, I thought I had met my happily ever after.He was handsome, charismatic, and attentive.I should have known better.I have always had shitty taste in men.From liars to cheaters and even one who stole my money.I thought my luck had changed but I quickly found out just how wrong I was.
It was only three months into this year-long nightmare when he first laid hands on me.And no, it wasn’t some kinky experiment.We were having a disagreement about how one of his friends had touched my ass when the slap landed on my cheek.I was honestly so damn stunned, I didn’t even react.As women, we all like to think we will walk out the moment a man hits us.Let me tell you, that isn’t the truth for everyone.I stayed, believing his sincere lies as he groveled for my forgiveness.Not once, many times.
Stupidity is what my mother would call it.Weakness is the word others would use.Codependenceis the word I find suits me best.By the time I realized I was secluded, it was too late.I no longer had contact with any of my friends, I rarely spoke to my brother, I had quit my job because he made enough money and wanted me home.There was nowhere to turn and no one I could ask for help.I was well and truly fucked.The worst part—it was all my own doing.
I hear shouting from the front of the house, and I know Matt has arrived.I hope he beats the ever-loving shit out of Sam.Logically, I know he can’t.It would be career suicide, and I would never want that for him.But it doesn’t stop me from fantasizing about it.
A knock sounds on the door.“Anna?Open up.It’s me.”
