18. Delaney
CHAPTER 18
Delaney
I cringe as my eyes zero in on the first photo of me and Zayne kissing. I study our passionate embrace and the bliss evident on our faces. I take in the background, realizing this was taken outside the back entrance to the cafeteria at school.
We were alone, or so we thought.
My stomach drops as I flip to the next one. It was taken behind his father’s bar. I was supposed to stay at Callie’s last weekend, but she drove me to Zayne’s father’s bar. I met him behind it, and then we went to “our” spot at the lake, curling up on an inflatable mattress and several blankets in the bed of his truck. He surprised me with a picnic basket containing my favorite snacks and drinks.
We lay on our backs, staring at the stars in the sky. He tried to explain the various constellations to me, but I could only concentrate on how much I wanted him. I rolled over, straddling him, my lips covering his.
That moment was so raw as we took our time, exploring every inch of each other’s bodies. When he finally sunk deep inside me, I was a begging, quivering mess. Instead of pounding me into oblivion, he made love to me, his lips on mine as he slowly moved inside me.
He cracked the walls around my heart so much that I nearly told him about the abuse. I was so close to letting him in, taking the last hidden piece of me.
But Zayne is nothing if not a problem solver and protector. I feared he’d go after my father and would end up in jail.
Then, my father would take his wrath out on me. And one of the best ways to hurt me is through my mom.
It’s been her and I, trying to protect one another since I was a kid and discovered my world wasn’t what I thought. The horrific day my innocence was stolen because I got up to sneak another glass of chocolate milk.
As I blankly flip to the next photo, my mind goes down the rabbit hole to that terrible day.
The glass of chocolate milk my mom served me at dinner lit up the pleasure areas of my brain and activated my taste buds. I wanted another glass, but I knew my father would never allow it, so I didn’t bother asking.
All night, I’d been plotting. Daniel was staying at his friend Scott’s house. My dad had left earlier to head out of town to meet with someone, and when I heard the door to my mom’s bedroom close, I knew it was time.
It was midnight, and I’d never done anything as exhilarating as sneaking downstairs.
I was as quiet as a mouse as I opened the refrigerator, took out the carton of chocolate milk hidden in the back, and grabbed a mug from the cupboard. I poured it with steady hands, ensuring I didn’t spill a drop, then put it back where I found it. All without turning a single light on.
The front door opened, and I froze, my heart hammering. My father screamed my mom’s name before stomping to the bottom of the stairs. I heard my mom’s feet pounding against the floor as she hissed, “Are you crazy, Richard? You’re going to wake Delaney.”
I looked around, unsure what to do. I knew I was tiny enough to hide in the pantry. I’d done it last weekend when my father was away, and mom, Daniel, and I played hide and seek.
I tiptoed over, quietly opening the door and closing it, sinking to the floor with my mug firmly clasped in mine. The last thing I wanted to do was drop it.
I no longer felt like drinking it. Fear made my belly ache, but leaving it on the island would have been a mistake. My father hates it when anything is out of place.
The sounds grew louder, like a thunderstorm gaining in strength and fury. And when it descended over my house, all I could do was hold my hands over my ears as tightly as I could, squeezing my eyes closed.
But the tears escaped anyway as I heard my mother’s cries and pleas and my father’s unrelenting strikes and kicks.
When it was over, all I could hear was my mother’s agonizing sobs. I heard the door slam, and the engine's roar and squeal of the tires made me feel it might be safe to sneak out.
My fingers wrapped around the mug as I crept out, staring at my bare feet peeking from my long nightgown as I carefully took slow, measured steps, unsure what I’d find.
Once I rounded the island, I saw her, broken and bloody, on the floor. Pictures, lamps, and vases had been knocked over during the “storm,” leaving the house a wreck.
“M-Momma.” My bottom lip quivered so much I could barely choke out the word.
“D-Delaney.” My mom winced as she slowly pulled herself to a sitting position, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “What are you doing up?”
I squeezed the mug of milk to my chest, my wide eyes slowly blinking as I stared at the blood and bruises littering her body.
“What happened, momma?”
The saddest smile I’d ever curled her lips. “Nothing you need to worry about, sweetie. Just a little accident.”
Accident. That didn’t look like an accident to me.
She staggered to her feet, hissing in pain and wincing. I moved closer, fear making me quiver.
Her green eyes locked onto the cup of milk in my hand. “Tell you what. I’ll trade you a secret for a secret.”
I cocked my head, waiting for her to say more. “You don’t tell anyone—not your daddy, brother, or anyone—about tonight. Keep it a secret only between you and me.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “And in return, you can take your chocolate milk to bed and drink it. I’ll wash your cup and put it back so no one knows, okay?”
I bit my lip indecisively. Agreeing meant not being able to tell anyone my daddy hurt my mommy.
One look in my mom’s pleading, sad eyes and I knew I’d keep her secret. I loved her so much. My mom was my best friend, and I’d do anything to make her smile again. “Okay, Mommy.”
“Yeah?” The smile on her face makes my tummy feel better. I don’t like that she’s hurting, but she’s smiling. It must be one of those adult things I’m not old enough to understand.
She extends her hand, and I take it, vowing then and there I’ll keep any secrets she needs me to keep. I want my mom to be as happy as she makes me.
I didn’t even realize I’d been crying until I looked up, meeting the monster’s eyes. Hatred wells inside me as I stare at the devil incarnate in front of me, knowing the worst is yet to come.
“How did you get these?”
He quirks one brow. “It doesn’t matter. The point is, I know your secrets.” He moves around the desk, each footstep sounding like thunder as he approaches. “I also know you’re defiant as hell. You get that from your mother.” His lip curls in disdain as he sneers down at me. “I have something to show you.”
Oh, God. Did he somehow get his hands on Zayne? Has he hurt him?
“Follow me.” He walks past me, heading for the door.
I breathe in and out through my nose as I gather the pictures inside the folder. Clutching it tightly in my hand, I follow him up the stairs, my knees practically knocking together as I walk.
We reach the closed bedroom door he shares with my mother. Alarm bells are screaming inside my head as he opens it.
My mom lies in the middle of the bed, her face so bloody, bruised, and swollen that she’s almost unrecognizable.
I gasp, my hands flying to my mouth as I stare at her, horrified. Is she alive?
As though he can read me, my dad’s triumphant voice says, “She’s alive. But she’s going to be in a lot of pain when she wakes up.”
My gaze moves to him. I can’t disguise the hatred burning from them. His smirk grows, turning into the vilest smile I’ve ever seen.
“I’ll help her get the best medical care, including pain medication. But you are going to stay the fuck away from Zayne Morine. If you don’t… well, not only will your mom suffer, but things could get a lot worse for her.”
I swallow hard, barely able to comprehend the monster’s words. “W-What d-do you m-mean, exactly?”
“If you want your mother to continue breathing, you’ll do whatever I say.” He grabs me by the hair, yanking my head back so hard that I scream. “Agree to it, Delaney. Now !”
His roar rings through my ears. I hate everything about this situation, but I see no other choice. At least, not until after I graduate and can get the fuck out of here.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“What? I didn’t hear you?” He tugs harder, the pain in my scalp making my eyes water.
I swallow hard before forcing my voice to come out louder. “Okay. I agree.”
He releases my hair, and before I can react, his palm is against my cheek. The slap is so hard and unexpected that I stagger back, tripping against the bed and falling onto the floor.
Tears fill my eyes as I cradle my injured cheek, barely able to see him through my tears.
“You’re a worthless slut, just like her.” He shakes his head before his cold, disgusted gaze turns to my mom. “Stay with her while I call the doctor.” Then he disappears, his footsteps fading in the distance.
Sobs wrack my body, preventing me from moving. This is my worst nightmare come to life, and I’m powerless to protect anyone that I love. Hell, I can’t even defend myself.
The folder lies on the floor beside me, the pictures spilling from it. My gaze lands on one where Zayne and I stare at one another. So much love radiating from one image. My heart cracks and splinters into pieces like a wine glass shattering on the floor.
Oh, Zayne. I’m so sorry. I only hope you can forgive me for whatever I’m about to do.