Chapter 4
C LARISSA
I ’ve been feeling off all week as if I should watch my back. Between school and helping my best friend Emily move her stuff out of her abusive ex-boyfriend’s apartment, life has taken its toll on me.
These are the moments I wish I had someone to lean on. A mom to go home to, a dad to tell me it will all get better. The only person I have who knows me is Emily, and she’s now hundreds of miles away in Utah, trying to put distance between herself and Roy.
My aching back makes me want to scream as I haul myself out of bed. I remember Roy’s rage. He wasn’t supposed to be home when we were clearing out, but like any good abuser, they never keep to their promises and can’t resist the opportunity to take one more shot at their victim. If I have to endure a little pain from lugging my best friend’s belongings to her car so she can finally be free of that lunatic, so be it.
I walk over to get a cup of coffee started when my buzzer goes off. I have no clue who could be here to see me at the ass-crack of dawn. I glance at my barely there tank top and panties, shuffling into a pair of jeans and a green sweater lying by the bed.
I open my apartment door as a delivery guy shows up with bags of groceries. I can’t remember the last time I saw so much food.
“I’m sorry. I think you have the wrong address.”
“Clarissa Roberts?” the man asks, looking at a delivery form.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Then I’ve got the right person.”
I give him a tip, but he waves it off. “No need. It’s already been taken care of.”
I imagine who would have sent me such a generous gift as I bring the bags in. Other than Emily, no one else would think of me, let alone fill my fridge with groceries.
I unpack the bags containing meat, vegetables, fruit, and chocolate. There’s everything I could dream of. When my hand hits the bottom of the bag, I pull out a white envelope.I open it slowly and pull out a pretty white card.
Clarissa, I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got a little of everything. If you need anything else, use the number I gave you.
I glide my fingertips along the card. Vance is hard, and from what I saw, scary as hell. I don’t know what he wants from me, but I’m curious to find out. Hopefully, it won’t be the biggest mistake of my life.