Page 61 of A Love Like Venom

But I'm more than just wounded, I feel beaten down, damaged.

“Did he . . . did he. . .” She can't even get the words out.

Rape.

Did Razor rape me.

Slowly I shake my head back and forth. The action causing a great amount of pain. My neck is still stiff from his hands harshly wrapped around my throat.

Swallowing even proves to be a challenge. An involuntary act that has me wincing when I try to swallow pass the bitter taste in my mouth.

My hand shakes uncontrollably as I raise it to my throat, hoping somehow to relive the ache.

There's the nausea in the very pit of my stomach forcing its way through my body. I can feel it travel all the way up to my esophagus.

Bile presses at the back of my throat. Before I can swallow it back down, I vomit aggressively. The contents end up more on myself rather than the polished wooded floors beneath me.

The retched smell fills the air causing another wave of nausea to hit.

When I go to vomit again, I feel my hair being pulled back by gentle hands. From the corner of my eye, I see Grace peering down at me with sympathy.

As I continue to vomit everything I have in me and then some more Grace runs soothing strokes along my back.

"It's okay, it's okay," she coos in a soft whisper in my ear.

Except it's not.

It's not okay.

Nothingis okay.

Since the moment Reed Carter walked in through those doors with sinister hazel eyes and a sharp tongue nothing has been okay.

The first tear I've been holding since he showed up comes free. And with it so does another. And another. And another.

My chest tightens as the sobs continue to tear from my throat.

Grace pulls me into her, and I clutch onto her shoulders with all the strength I have in me. I'm afraid that if I let her go, I'll fall apart.

That I'll shatter.

And I refuse to shatter.

Once the last tear trails down my cheek I take in a deep ragged breath.

Be strong, Alice. Chin up. You can't let them win. You can't let any of them win.

"I want to go home, Grace.” My voice sounds like sandpaper. The sound making me wince.

She looks down at me concerned. "You sure that's a good idea? You can stay with me for a little while." Grace's concern and worry is touching. I'm tempted to take her up on her offer. But I also know I need to be alone. I need to be somewhere familiar. With mom and her new boyfriend on a weekend vacation I have the trailer all to myself.

I need to remind myself who I am. Sad as it is being in that trailer will do that. Because in that trailer I learned to be strong and resilient. I need that right now.

I nod despite the pain in my neck. "I'm sure."

She gives me a once over that isn't entirely convinced but agrees with me anyway. For that I can't thank her enough. Sometimes I think Gracie Mae is the only person in the world who knows me anymore.

"I'm driving you home," she orders. I go to interrupt her, but she gives me a stern look. "You can't drive in your condition; I'm not going to let you. I'm going to drive you home and once I know you're safe I'll leave. I promise." Holding out her pinky finger she waits for me. Giving her a hint of a smile, I link my pinky finger with hers.