Chapter 2
I’m Done
Ciara
I hobble forward with one shoe on as I hold the other in my hand while holding up the front of my torn dress. I run my forearm under my nose and wince when I see the streak of blood across my skin. Rage courses through my system.
I think I’m still in shock. With each step, it sinks in what just almost happened to me. I’ve reached my breaking point.
“Cee-Cee, stop overreacting. Get back here,” Sean calls from behind me.
I nearly trip over my own feet as his voice reaches me and causes my blood to run ice cold. I pull to a stop and turn on him with all my fury.
“I’m overreacting? Me? I’m overreacting? Yer friends are twice my size and the three of them just tried to rape me.
“If I were anyone else, they would have succeeded. What the fuck do ya mean I’m overreacting?” I scream at my stepbrother as I look at him like he’s lost his damn mind.
“Come on. I promised them a good time. Be a good girl and go back in there and give them what I promised.
“After all we do for you and your little brat brother, this is the least you can do. You wouldn’t have been able to fight them off like that if we hadn’t taught you everything you know,” Sean says smugly.
“Fuck you. Ya can go to hell.”
“What are you going to do? Go home and tell my dad? He’s already tired of your shit. He’s doing you a favor by allowing you to stay with us.
“Don’t fuck yourself over trying to act like some prude. If you want to stay in Ciarán’s life, you better keep your mouth shut. One word to my father and I’ll make sure you lose everything.
“You can say goodbye to your college tuition, your precious little brother, and your shot at the championship. Actually, you better turn your ass around and head back inside before I have Dad finally put your ass out.
“I know Lily would be more than happy to have you out of her way. We own you, Cee-Cee. Do as I say, or you’ll never see Ciarán again.”
I stand frozen. My little brother is my world. Theo Young and his spoiled brats have made my life a living hell.
I’ve worked for them, cleaned for them, cooked for them. I’ve done everything asked of me with one exception. The one thing that makes Sean a spitting mad psycho. However, I never thought he would take things this far.
My little brother, Ciarán, is the only reason I have stuck around for as long as I have. MMA has become a part of who I am. I’ve been around the ring for as long as I can remember. I love being a part of the team run by Theo, but I’m not selling my soul to be able to fight.
Theo is technically Ciarán’s legal guardian. My stepfather has claimed that my mother left us with nothing. I call bullshit, but I’ve never had proof.
When I turned eighteen, Theo convinced me that I wouldn’t get custody of Ciarán without a job or college degree. Back then I thought I’d be better off allowing Theo to pay for me to go to college.
He claimed he wanted to help. Now, I believe he didn’t want me to take off and leave them without my free labor. I had a plan.
Once I earned my degree, I planned to take my brother as far away from the Youngs as I could get. However, I’m a year behind in my program because of this asshole.
He made sure I didn’t pass and complete my courses to finish my program on time. In this moment, I don’t care about a degree or fighting on Theo’s team. I’ll walk away from it all.
Sean and Lily have always treated me like trash, while Theo has looked the other way. Theo at least pretends to care for Ciarán. I know he tolerates me because I bring in wins for him.
I’m one of his best fighters and trainers at the gym. I also keep Ciarán out of his hair. Theo has little patience for raising a kid.
“Do whatever ya feel ya need to do, Sean. This was the final straw. I’m tired of ya and yer family.
“I want to see how ye all do without me. I’m done with this shit. I’m done with yer family. Stay the fuck away from me,” I seethe.
“You’re going to regret this,” he bellows after me as I turn and walk away.
I fight back tears because I know this isn’t how my life was before my mother’s death. I can’t remember anything from before that day, but I know this wasn’t my life. I feel it in my bones.
***
“Just the person I wanted to see,” Theo croons, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin.
I clench my towel and toiletries to my chest. I decided to shower before packing and waking Ciarán. I’m not waiting. We’re leaving here tonight.
My plan is to get as far away from here as possible. If I never see Seattle again, I’m cool with that. My head hurts as images of a brightly lit city keep flashing in my head.
Vegas comes to mind. There will be plenty of fighting opportunities there. I begin planning to head there, but I quickly change my mind. This nagging feeling tells me that’s not the bright city I need to head to. I shake my head as Theo’s voice pulls me from my musing.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I want you to come down to the gym with me in the morning. I have a new fighter I want you to spar with. You know those underground tournaments are coming.”
“I told you I don’t want to enter any more illegal fights. I think I have a shot at the real championship.
“I’m the best on the team and you know it. Why should I keep risking it with those underground fights? Those rings stink of desperation. Fighters only participate in those because they have no other choice.”
“We can make a killing.”
“We could make even more through sponsorships and the grand prize from the legit tournament, and I won’t put my career and eligibility at risk.”
He sighs and tightens his grip on the beer in his hand. I already know what’s coming next. It’s the reason I won’t bother to feel bad once I’m gone.
“Listen, kid. I know how much you want to do the tournament with the team. You see how it is down at the gym. Things are tight.
“The finals are in New York. If we make it that far, I don’t think I’ll have the cash for all five of us to go. I can’t leave Ciarán behind; I have no one to watch him.
“We need the underground fights to pay for the official shit, or else none of it matters. I’m going broke raising the four of you as a single dad. I’m not in my prime anymore.
“I’m begging you to do this for me. Just a couple of fights. That’s it. I promise.”
First of all, those two need to get a fucking job. They do nothing but spend his money. They’re not kids anymore, far from it. Why should I jeopardize everything for them—for anyone in this family?
“No, get someone else to do it. I’m the only one on the team who you ask to do this. I’m the only one with everything to lose.”
“What about what I have lost? I’ve burned through every fucking thing. There’s nothing left …” He pauses and takes a calming breath.
“Listen, Cee-Cee. I’m sorry. I’ve been under a lot of pressure. I didn’t mean to say that. You go on and head to bed. We can talk more in the morning.”
I nod my head in agreement because I don’t plan to be here in the morning. I’m over it all. He pulls me into a hug and kisses my forehead.
His breath reeks of alcohol. Nothing new there. I’m used to the Jekyll and Hyde routine with him. He’ll be passed out in less than an hour.
“See you in the morning,” I murmur.
We part ways and I rush into my room. I waste no time tossing things into my duffel bag. As I gather my essentials, my mind goes to where to go.
The finals will be in New York that’s the ultimate goal. If I’m already there, I won’t have to find my way there. I’ll just need a team to join that’s already heading to the tournament finals.
My mind made up, I grab my phone off the nightstand and begin to look for flights to New York. I become frustrated when I can’t find a flight going to New York anytime soon.
I don’t want to risk sitting around in an airport. I change plans and begin to look for flights leaving as soon as possible. San Diego seems to be where we’re headed. Theo once got into some shit there or something with some guys he tries to avoid.
He never goes to tournaments there. I can go there and fly under the radar for a bit. He’s certainly not coming there after me.
From what I can tell, he’s scared shitless of whoever is there. In fact, he stays away from California, period. This family has always had red flags. Once the flight is booked, I gently shake Ciarán awake.
“Cee-Cee?” he says sleepily.
“Hey, buddy, I need you to do me a favor. As quiet as you can, grab your bag and pack as much as you can. Take anything you need. We’re not coming back,” I whisper.
His eyes light up and he nods. I watch as he rushes from his bed and begins to pack. I sigh in relief.
He wants out of here as bad as I do. I look at the time. Theo should be passed out drunk by now. However, I do need to handle one more thing before Sean comes in for the night.
“Keep packing. I have something I need to get. You have five minutes,” I say and rush from the room.
We’re finally going to be free. This was never our home.
***
“Mommy, where are we going?” I say as I sit in the back of the car.
Ciarán is in his car seat, crying. I try to get him to quiet down for Mommy, but he won’t settle. I think he senses something is wrong too.
“We have to leave. I need to get you to—”
“Mommy, look out,” I scream and unfasten my seat belt quickly.
As fast as I can, I fling my body over Ciarán’s in his car seat.
I pop up from my sleep with my heart pounding. I’m drenched in sweat like always. It’s the same thing almost every night.
For years, I’ve been having the same dream. However, as the cool air of the air conditioning blows down on my wet skin and soaked shirt, I remember I’m not in the small room I shared with my little brother.
Not that there aren’t enough rooms in the house for me and Ciarán to have our own. The room I was told used to be mine before my mother’s death, Lily uses as a closet. Even after she moved out, I wasn’t allowed to have that room or her old one.