Page 17

Nova

D inner with Crew was wonderful. He was the perfect gentleman escorting me home and giving me a passionate kiss at the door before seeing me in.

I wanted so badly to have a replay of what we did on my desk a few days ago but he reminded me that Timberly was at home and he wanted to be respectful.

I appreciated the sweet, respectable Crew but right now I wanted dirty filthy Sir. Ass eating, spit in my mouth Sir.

I don’t know what was wrong with me. Whenever I was around him, I became a dick hungry slut, willing to do anything and everything he asked of me.

My wrist still had bruises from his belt, and I couldn’t wait for what kinky things he would do to me next.

It’s like he got off on pulling me out of my dominant role and making me submit to him.

With Kyle he never required me to submit in the bedroom he wanted me to submit in my daily role as his fiancé.

He wanted me to be his docile meek little housewife.

Sex was for his pleasure only. I was to do it whenever he wanted however he wanted.

Kyle demanded that I be okay with him cheating, even going as far as bringing women home during the last few months of my pregnancy after I was placed on bedrest. When I refused to stay if he kept seeing other women, he and his family threatened to take Timberly away from me.

At the time I was pregnant with no job and a half-completed degree.

Kyle took care of me financially and I had nowhere to go.

My mother took his side and told me that I should be happy someone was willing to take care of me like Kyle, and that I needed to be grateful for what I had.

I found out later that Kyle was paying her mortgage.

His mother was no help either. She told me that women were supposed to support our men right or wrong.

That we all had to make sacrifices for comfort.

The last straw was a week after I gave birth to Timberly, Kyle came home from work and demanded sex.

I told him I couldn’t for at least another six weeks, but he refused to listen to me and forced himself on me.

From that moment on I started planning my escape.

But I had to be careful because at every turn Kyle and his mother used Timberly as a pawn in their game to keep me under their thumbs.

I knew I couldn’t get help from my family or his so I started squirreling money away to get out of town.

It took me a year and a half to get away from them and we’ve been running ever since. We came close to them finding us a few times but for the past two years we have felt safe and at home here in Timberline.

Unknown: “I told you I would never let you get away from me. You think you can move on and start a new life with my daughter. I’ll show you what happens when you disobey me. Your punishment will be long and excruciating while I make you beg for my forgiveness.”

How is he doing this? I changed my number so many times and he keeps getting it.

The number isn’t even in my name. Sooner than later I would have to tell Crew the truth about Kyle.

I just didn’t want to scare him away. No, Crew didn’t seem like the type of man that scared easily, but I couldn’t expect him to want to take on my burdens.

It would be better if I told him about my issues with Kyle after we were married.

I archived the message from Kyle just in case I needed it for a later date and pocketed my phone.

The takeover was underway and the changes that Crew and his team were making gave the facility a more home like environment.

The residents and staff were loving the changes.

The residents were happier and staff morale was at an all-time high.

My meager staffing budget had been increased and I was able to hire some qualified dedicated staff.

I had increased bonuses and bought gift cards and prizes that we used to offer monthly raffles for perfect attendance and documentation.

Everyone was enjoying life at the facility except our resident problem child Mr. Hightower who was still in cahoots with our new pain the ass ombudsman Ms. Harris.

I hadn’t seen her since our last encounter but she had been in the building a few times over the past week causing trouble.

My team had noted the uptick in complaints and state reportables for any resident she came in contact with, even though all the other residents and families raved about the new updates and changes to the building we were making.

It was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way but I couldn’t put a finger on it other than her last name.

She was trouble, but from what I remember about his family, Kyle didn’t have a sister our age so I didn’t have to worry about her being related to that psycho.

But just in case, I would keep an eye on her.

I pushed my laptop back down into my bag and got ready to leave for the day.

Stephanie hadn’t said anything else to me about my attitude or Crew, which pleased me to no end.

I headed out the back entrance past the kitchen.

Two kitchen staff members sat on the bench at the back of the building smoking and engrossed in their cellphones.

I walked past them giving my usual peace sign before reaching my truck.

I popped the trunk and placed my bag inside.

I turned to get in the car and was stopped by none other than Ms. Harris, the ombudsman.

She stood next to my truck with a malicious grin on her face.

“Ms. Harris, it's so bad to see you here. Was there not enough parking at the front of the building? Guests don't normally park back here.”

“Hhm is that right? Well, I was waiting for you actually. I think we got off on the wrong foot and I would like to apologize. I stopped by your office, but you were preoccupied,” she said, that wicked smile never leaving her face.

“Was I? I was rather busy today. But it doesn't matter. Thank you for the apology but like I said our interactions will more than likely be very limited especially since the overall resident satisfaction rates have skyrocketed since Mr. Sanderson has taken over. So, if that is all I have to be somewhere,” I said, side stepping her.

“Oh okay. Tell Timberly aunt Kennedy says hello,” she said, stopping me in my tracks.

“What did you say? I turned back to face her ready to choke slam this bitch into the cement if she said the wrong thing.

“Did you really think you could hide forever? We’ve always known where you were. Our parents felt that Kyle needed time to sow his wild oats before settling down to be a family man after all, but now that he’s had his fun and ready it's time for you to come home.”

The fear that I should have felt was an afterthought, as rage bubbled to the surface of my psyche. Before I could stop myself, her hair was in my hand and our faces were so close our noses almost touched.

“Don’t let whatever old information your brother gave you fool you.

I will snap your neck and sleep like a baby tonight.

Look around, there are no cameras back here.

No witnesses. If I were you I would run home and tell the family that you never saw me.

Because if I see you again we will be looking for a new ombudsman.

Are we clear, Ms. Harris?” I asked her. I wasn’t a violent person, but I was tired of running.

I released her hair and got into my car without a second glance her way.

Kennedy Harris can go to hell right with her brother.

I took my phone out with shaky hands and hit the call button. It rang once before he picked up.

“Crew, I need you,” I said.

“Nova. What’s wrong?”

“I need you. Can you meet me at my house please?”

“I’m on the way, Princess,” he said before ending the call.

I sent Ms. Leona a message asking her to keep Timberly with her for another hour to give me time to explain everything to Crew.

My time had run out, and I had to tell him the truth.

It was either that or run and I just wasn’t doing that again.

I was on autopilot as I drove to my home.

I didn’t realize I had arrived until I reached my gate.

I originally picked this property because it was gated and my home backed up another property that was owned by an ex-military couple that did not play about security.

They had fences, lights and cameras that could see everything.

With that type of security, I knew that anyone attempting to sneak around my house would be seen by their nosy asses.

I informed the security guard that Crew was to be added to my visitors list until further notice.

I parked my truck in the driveway before getting out to get my bag and running inside.

A black Mercedes S-Class AMG pulled into my driveway next to my truck as I got my keys out.

Being prepared for anything I tugged my mace out of the side pocket of my bag just in case.

I relaxed as soon as I saw Crew emerge from the car.

I opened the door, kicked off my shoes and put my coat and bag down in the closet.

I went straight to the wine that I kept in the fridge as Crew walked in behind me.

He sat quietly observing me as I fixed myself a glass of wine and returned to the island to sit with him.

“Timberly’s father knows where we are. From what his sister told me today he has always known.

He’s been sending threatening messages for a while, and I ignored them and just changed my number.

He hasn’t been this close in a while. Normally, I would run but I’m tired of living in fear that one day he’ll show up and try and take Timberly away from me out of spite.

He and his family are great lawyers, and it wouldn’t be hard for them to convince a judge that she was better off with them.

Especially after he tells them what I did to him. ”