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That was one of my favorite places in the Caribbean. I had a slip for my yacht in Nassau and several other cities, but I really did enjoy Aruba.
Go.
This time I listened to the little voice.
“Fine, I’ll go with you.”
“Such a hardship,” Ford said.
I flipped him off.
“We’re going to have a great time.” I couldn’t help but smile at Beck’s enthusiasm. “See. You’re smiling already.”
I was, and I felt lighter than I had in weeks. This was the right decision. I would tell my mother I was prioritizing spending time with Beck, but I had a feeling I would resign before the trip was over. I was done with trying to please her and done pretending I was enjoying myself by doing nothing but partying. I was going to figure out what I actually wanted and maybe even let my friends help me pursue it.
Beck left first. I started to follow him, but Miles called me back. “We do have footage of one of the prominent cartel members here in New York. That wasn’t a lie.”
“Fuck. What do they want?”
Carter snarled. “Revenge, I expect, but don’t worry, we’re on the lookout for them. We’ll take care of this.”
2
LAURIE
Iwas worn out. I’d had a hell of a day at work. I stayed late, and I was sure Tommy was going to be furious with me. There were plenty of leftovers for him to eat, things I cooked earlier in the week for him, but that wouldn’t be good enough. He always wanted a fresh meal, and he wanted me to put it on the table for him. I brought my car to a stop in the driveway and blew out a long breath as I cut the engine. Why was I here? Why hadn’t I already run? I could’ve just kept driving and gone anywhere.
Except I didn’t have enough money to last long, and I’d have to find another job if I didn’t want him to find me. How the hell was I going to do that in this economy? I’d lost my parents when I was twelve, and the family I’d had left couldn’t wait to get rid of me when I turned eighteen. I didn’t have any local friends. He’d made sure of that.
I could call Beck, but it had been so long since we’d talked, and every time he’d offered help, I’d denied there was a problem.
I caught sight of myself in the rearview mirror and realized the makeup I’d applied so carefully that morning was starting to fade. I could see the bruise along my cheekbone. I hoped like hell no one at work had noticed.
I couldn’t tell if Tommy was home yet or not. He always parked in the garage; I wasn’t allowed to. He said his expensive car deserved protection, but since mine was just a piece of shit, it stayed outside. There was room in the garage for two fucking cars if he’d just move some of his shit out of there.
I’d been trying to save money, knowing if I was ever going to get away from Tommy I needed enough to live on for a while. I’d stupidly let him take over my finances after I moved in. He knew how much money was expected to come in, and he monitored it like a fucking hawk.
At least he did when he wasn’t too drunk, but getting him drunk on purpose was a risky endeavor. The more he drank, the more likely he was to get violent like he had last night.
I was scared he’d track me down and kill me if I left him. But if I stayed, the situation was going to kill me eventually, one way or another. How the hell had I gotten myself into this mess?
I unlocked the door and walked inside. I heard noises coming from the kitchen. Cautiously, I moved in that direction. When I was nearly there, I saw the source. Tommy was fucking the hell out of Martin, one of the guys I worked with and someone I thought was at least a casual friend. Apparently, he just wanted to get to know me so he could get under Tommy.
Martin was sprawled over the counter as Tommy stood, pistoning him with rough strokes. Martin was crying out, squirming, thrashing. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to get away or if he was begging for more. When he saw me, he tried to push Tommy away as he yelled, “Laurie’s home.”
Tommy looked over his shoulder and fucking smiled.
“What’s going on?” I hated myself for saying the words as soon as they were out.
Martin struggled, trying to free himself, but Tommy pinned him down, gripping his hips so tight his knuckles went white. “Don’t you dare move.”
“But Tommy, he?—”
“Shut up.” Tommy turned to me. “I left work early. You were supposed to be home. When you weren’t here to do your duty, I found someone who would. If I can’t get what I need from you, I’ll have to replace you, and then where will you be?”
Had that been an option all along? I wanted to pack my things before I left, but I knew my best chance of getting out was to just go. I hadn’t been stupid enough to keep my cash reserves in the house. I’d slipped away one day during my lunch break and opened a bank account on my own. I’d also set up a safe deposit box for a few important documents, and I kept a gym bag with a change of clothes and a few essentials in my car. I had my ID and my phone on me. Most of the clothes I had were ones Tommy decided to dress me in. I could live without all the things in this house, and I could sure as hell live without Tommy, no matter what he thought.
I looked at Martin. “He’s all yours.”
