Page 61 of Dirty Dean

The glass from the window shatters and Chris grabs for my neck. Dodging him, I put the car into gear. “Do not move this car, little one.”

“Stop it, Chris.” I plead with him, but his eyes are unfocused, and he looks ready to strangle me. Trembling, I step on the gas, lurching us both backward.

“Goddamn it Jasmine. Stop.”

I don’t. I floor the gas, and I watch as his body flings along the dirt. Oh God, please don’t let him be hurt. Pushing the gear into drive, I don’t look back.

The first place he’s going to look is the dorm and then Laura’s house. I don’t go to either place. I make it to Tia’s apartment and am grateful that she kept it until the end of the semester. It’s only a matter of time before he finds me.

Looking at the collar in the bathroom mirror, I touch the metal and can’t get over the beauty of it. To me, it’s a chain that was placed upon my neck simply to control me. A tear runs down my cheek as I think about how I wanted to freely give myself to him and be his forever. That’s what I thought this would symbolize. It’s been ruined though. It’s nothing now to me and that’s devastating.

Taking a deep breath, I feel along the entire thing to find that there’s no clasp. There’s a lock on the back and it requires a key. One I already know that Chris will have to use to unlock me. I think about how much I wanted to be his little girl and to have such a trusting relationship with him.

How could he betray me? To hurt me so knowingly and for what? To hold a grudge for years that I’m pretty sure means nothing to David and his father now? Lowering my eyes, I hold onto the sink, trying not to faint. I’m hungry, stressed, and feel as if I’m going to pass out.

I sent Tia a message that I was turning my phone off because I needed some solitude and she told me it was fine. That she understood completely. I wish I did. There’s too much going on that I don’t understand a damn thing anymore.

My head swims, and my vision blurs. God, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I steel myself, trying to relax and focus. Walking into the kitchen, I find some canned green beans and crackers. Both are still good to eat as their fresh date hasn’t passed and will have to do.

After finishing the crackers, I use my fingers to eat the green beans. Yeah, cold green beans are not the greatest, but at least I’m not hungry anymore. Sitting on the couch, I contemplate calling my mom, but she will tell me to come home. Going home isn't going to fix anything.

I walk into Tia’s old bedroom and lay down on the bed. I’m not tired in the least, but I’m emotionally drained. There’s not much I can do except accept the fact I’m going to have to learn how to live on my own. To fend for myself and look for a way to get my education.

The front door bangs open, and I know it’s Christopher.

“Jasmine!” His bellow makes me tremble with fear but want as well. How could he have such control over me? I want to run to him and ask him to forgive me for flinging him in the dirt, but I hold my ground. Well, holding myself still in the bed, sheet up to my neck and looking at the door.

I should have locked the bedroom door. Hell, I should have closed it. Instead, Chris walks into the room like he owns it. My heart skips a beat as I see the dried blood down the left side of his face. His hair is disheveled and matted, and his clothes are filthy.

He stares at me, and I right back at him. It makes me wonder if he’s going to pounce on me or if he’s going to tie me up. His saunter toward me, makes me feel as if he is stalking me. I quiver and hold the sheet tighter against me.

“You made me hunt you, little one.” His words are growled, low and deadly. “That was a big no-no on your part.”

Anger rises up inside of me. “You hurt me,Daddy.” I use his name like a curse word, and he looks at me.

“Yes I did.” He stops at the side of the bed I’m backing away from. “Stop moving, Jasmine.”

“And if I don’t?” I’m feeling feisty and don’t care if he likes it or not. Chris can’t possibly believe I’ll just let him do whatever he wants.

“Then you will make me chase you more. You already have one spanking coming. Do you want to make it a second?”

Getting off the bed right in front of him, I bump him with my boobs. “I’m right here. You are a… a bastard!” I hate cussing. It’s not in my nature to call someone names. It’s rude. A blush overtakes me as he looks down at me.

“I have never said I wasn’t.” His breathing is ragged and so is mine.

“I’m not a puppet for you anymore. All this revenge stuff has to be put to bed. Also, the cameras…” God, I forgot about them until just now. “They have to go as well.”

He pushes his hands through my hair to tilt my face upward. “Done.”

The word is simple enough, but it holds a deep meaning. One that is reflected in his stare. My lips move as if I am going to say something to him, but nothing comes out. “You’re no longer the boss.”

His hand tightens in my hair, but I push on his stomach. “No. This is how it’s going to be. You are no longer going to be the one to call the shots for us. We are going to work together and if we are going to be together, the trust has to be earned.”

Chris’s fingers loosen their grip on my hair, and he steps back. I’m feeling vindicated for the moment, but I’m sure this is really just me trying to act tough.

“You’re right, buttercup. You need to be a part of the decisions, and I shouldn’t assume anything. Not after what I did.”

“Thank you. Now, strip.”

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