Page 55 of Retribution

‘I can’t wear that to class,’ I say through clenched teeth.

She rolls her eyes. ‘Put it on or stay in your room without food for another day.’

She throws it on the bed and, thankfully, leaves me alone to dress for once.

After a moment, I sigh and take off the gray pants and shirt. I put on the red dress. It’s even tighter than it looked. I pull it down as far as it’ll go, but it only stretches to a little way past my ass. Not even bothering to look in the mirror, I throw up my hair and leave my room for the first time in two days.

Down in the foyer, there’s no one to open and close thedoor. It’s such a tiny thing, but it’s a stark difference and I hate it.

‘Where is Stephens?’ I ask because I’m not supposed to know yet.

‘He was in an accident.’

‘Really?’ I murmur. ‘What kind of accident?’

She shrugs. ‘I didn’t ask. He’s in the hospital.’

We go outside, and, for the first time in my life, I close the door to the Novelle house behind me. I stop short when I see the car.

‘That isn’t John’s car,’ I say. ‘I’m supposed to have John’s car and driver.’

Nasty Nurse sighs loudly. ‘Jesus, do you always have to be so difficult? It’s a damn car, Marguerite. Just get in it or you’re gonna be late to class.’

I don’t want to be late.

The driver opens the door, and I peer in. It’s empty. No Joe and I guess Jacob is in the front again.

I get in and, as my door closes, the one on the other side opens and Nasty Nurse gets in.

‘Why are you coming?’ I ask.

She ignores me, just takes out her phone and starts tapping.

We start driving toward Richmond U, but instead of stopping, we keep driving right past it.

‘My class is in that building over there,’ I say. ‘Why aren’t we stopping?’

When the car stops at the next red light, I try to get out, but the doors are locked. Even the windows won’t open.

I look at the nurse and find her regarding me. ‘You’ve been very difficult, and you’ve been breaking a lot of rules, sweetie. Did you really think that Joe would let you act however you wanted?’

‘What is this?’ I snarl.

‘Can’t a man see the woman he’s going to marry?’

I sit back in the car, pushing my rampant emotions down, but I know that this isn’t going to go well for me.

After going a very roundabout way, we get to the Banderville gate. They wanted me to think we were going to the college, I realize. I wonder what they wanted to achieve with that little mind game.

At the house, my door is opened. I don’t move.

‘I want to be taken back to my stepfather’s house,’ I say to the driver.

I’m ignored, and a moment later, Jacob lunges in and grabs me, pulling me out.

I scream. His fingers dig into my arms, and I struggle, but he’s massive. I’m like a hummingbird trying to escape an eagle. He drags me up the steps to the house and I’m pulled inside.

‘I’m here against my will,’ I say to their portly butler, but the man pretends he can’t hear me.