Page 30 of Crave

Slam.I jolted with the sound as Silas closed the boot a little too hard, rounded the car and climbed in, closing the door behind him. I fought the urge to look at him and stared straight ahead instead, until he leaned over and between my legs.

“What are you doing?” I screeched.

But he grabbed my bag, yanking the top of the pamphlet that stuck out free.

“Charlie Hunter Women’s Shelter.” He read slowly. “Now why would you have something like this, little sister. You’re not in need of saving are you?”

My heart slammed against my chest as I stared at the paper in his hand.

“Well?” He asked, turning toward me.

“That’s not your business.” I mumbled and snatched it free.

He let me take it. Eyeing me before he turned and started the engine. I thought he was going to demand a response, even as he backed out of the car space and headed for home. The hair on my arms rose with every minute I waited for his wrath. But it never came, even when he pulled into our driveway and headed along the side of the house to the external garages at the back.

Armed guards patrolled the grounds, nodding at Silas as we passed. I couldn’t wait to get away from him. This whole thing was a wasted trip. I stabbed the belt, and shoved the door open the moment we were stopped.

The growl of the engine died a second later the driver’s door opened and closed.

“Don’t you want these?” He called as I almost reached the rear door.

The click of the boot sounded, stopping me cold. No, the whisper raced as I slowly turned, watching him reach into the boot for my bags. The urge to flee was overwhelming. Still, I forced every step back to him, reaching for the bags in his hand.

But the moment I did, he pulled back, making me stumble to grab them, until we were that close we almost touched.

“Last chance, Angelica. Are you sure you have nothing you want to say to me?”

“There’s a lot I want to say to you, Silas.” I yanked my bags hard and he let them go. “Starting with the fact you’re an asshole for trashing my room. I know you hate me, but even that was an all time low.”

The corner of his lip rose as he slowly nodded. “Just rememberIgave you a chance.”

“You gave me nothing.” I responded and stepped backwards, not taking my eyes off him.

The door opened behind me.

“Angel?” Gabe called.

I all but ran for him, clutching my bags in my hand, cutting him a panicked look before I raced inside.

“What did you say to her?” Gabe called.

I didn’t stay long enough to hear Silas’ response. Just raced for my bedroom and barrelled through the door, slamming it shut behind me.

Just remember I gave you a chance.

I closed my eyes and tried to ease my booming pulse. A chance. That’s the one thing he never gave me.

No.

I’ve had to claw and beg and plead for those all on my own.

Daughter.

The neon word flashed in my head. My breath caught as those murky memories pushed to the surface. “No.” I whispered. “Please, no. Not now, not here.”

But still, they persisted.

Daughter.