Author: Teresa Mummert

The fogged glass was making it difficult to make out details, and as he grabbed her hair, pulling her head back, I stepped forward to get closer to the glass. The door clanked against its latch, and I jumped back against the sandstone tile, pressing my body into the wall and hiding myself in the shadows.

The gasps from his visitor turned into moans, and the sound of flesh hitting flesh in a steady rhythm filled the air. I only hoped he was gentlemanly enough to walk her to the door when it was over so I’d have a chance to get back to my room without being seen. I stared at the large tiles for what seemed like an eternity, my palms slick with nervous sweat as I waited for them to finish. Finally, with a growl and a cry of pleasure, the room fell quiet.

“I can leave my number,” she purred, and it sounded like she was getting dressed.

“No need,” he replied, and I cringed for her at the rejection. A few more words were exchanged, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying before footsteps grew farther away and the front door opened and closed.

“Are you going to come out, or do I have to come get you?” Colin called out, and I squeezed my eyes closed, wishing I could disappear. I held perfectly still, hoping by some miracle he was talking to some other crazy idiot hiding in his room. “Little one…” He drew out the endearment, and I groaned as I stepped forward and opened the shower door. I ducked my head, unable to look him in the eye as I made a beeline for the door.

“Annabel,” he said, and I froze beside his bed. “Look at me.”

I slowly lifted my chin and looked down at Colin, who was wearing his jeans, button undone, and lying across his bed, arm tucked behind his head. He looked relaxed, and a hint of a smile played on his lips.

“Um…sorry…I was looking for…”

He raised his eyebrow as he waited for me to finish my lie, but I was at a loss as I stared at his body, covered in a thin layer of sweat, the guttural moans still fresh in my mind. “You’re making a habit of this,” he stated, still not looking the least bit bothered as I squirmed.

“Sorry.” I turned to leave the room but stopped. “How long did you know I was in there?” I glanced over my shoulder, and he smiled widely, revealing his perfect teeth, dimples settling into his cheeks. I felt myself turn ten shades of red as I left his room, pulling his door closed behind me.

I sat on my bed and pulled my laptop open and began typing furiously to rid my mind of what had just happened.

I didn’t stop until I was yawning and forcing my eyes to focus on the screen. I saved the document and set my computer on the stand next to my bed, falling back against my pillow.

Colin stumbled in the door of his cabin, and I hurried to his side to help him. I wrapped my hands around his arm, but he pulled from my grasp, angry at me.

“What happened?” I asked. He looked ill, and he was covered in sweat.

“I’m fine.” He trudged over to his bed and lay facedown across it. Long, thick wounds across his back wept blood.

“Who did this to you?” I rushed to his side, my hand hovering above him, afraid to touch his fresh injuries. He groaned but didn’t answer. I hurried into the bathroom and dampened a washcloth, adding soap.

“What are you doing?” he asked, raising his head, but his eyes were hooded, and he seemed slightly disoriented.

“I’m going to take care of you.” I climbed onto the bed on my knees as I looked down at his injuries. Very carefully I rubbed the washcloth over him. He inhaled sharply, his body stiffening under my touch.

“You shouldn’t help me,” he moaned, but he didn’t move, and I continued to clean him until all of the blood was gone.

“What kind of person would I be if I didn’t help you?”

His eyes blinked open. “You would be like me.”

I awoke to the sound of the annoying buzzing of my alarm clock next to my head. I swung my arm out, feeling for it and gasping as my fingers landed on someone else’s. My eyes flew open as the sound ceased, and I was staring up at Colin, who did not look pleased.

“That’s the third fucking time it’s gone off.” I groaned and rolled away from him and felt for the floor below my feet.

“Why are you in my room?” I asked as I stifled a yawn.

“Interesting question coming from you,” he mused.

“Do you need something?” I glanced over my shoulder at him, taking in the stubble along his jaw.

“I need you to get ready so we can leave.”

“You’re going to have to give me some privacy.” I rolled my eyes and pushed from my bed as I made my way to my closet, feeling like I hadn’t gotten any sleep. I pulled one of my uniforms from the hanger and tossed it on my bed.

“Five minutes.” He turned and left the room, leaving the door wide open.

I groaned, mumbling expletives under my breath as I shoved it closed and pulled off my black tank and shorts.

I was ready in ten minutes, and Colin was standing outside my door with his arms crossed over his chest. I finished buttoning my white shirt, leaving it untucked over the gray plaid skirt. I opted for a high ponytail, not wanting to take the time to curl my hair. My bruise was fading, so a dab of concealer and a quick coat of mascara and I was ready to start the day.

“Those uniforms should be against the law,” Colin mumbled as he followed me down the stairs in a white T-shirt and faded jeans. He pulled open the front door, taking my book bag from my hand as he waited for me to walk out in front of him. I slowed my pace as he walked casually to the passenger side door of the 300 and pulled it open for me. I slid in, careful not to expose myself in my skirt, which I had rolled a couple times at the waist so it wouldn’t be as long. Colin shook his head as he closed the door after me, but for once he didn’t scold me for my fashion decision.

Chapter 6 - Colin

It took everything I had not to force her to fix her fucking uniform, but I didn’t have time to argue with her. We were running late, and I needed all the time I could get to work on Connor’s cases to get them organized and ready for his return.

With his health, he was barely keeping up without my help.

“Did you finish your assignment?”

“Yeah,” she answered but didn’t elaborate.

“I’m curious as to your conclusion.”

“My thoughts on corporal punishment?” She glanced over at me, and I knew she was thinking about my scars. “I think it’s horrible.”

I turned down Whitaker Street toward town. “It’s not always a bad thing. I know why you think that, but sometimes it can be used for…pleasure.” My eyes cut to her, and she had her fingers knotted together on her lap.

“I don’t see how you can say that after what was done to you.”

I fought against a smirk. Was it really possible that she didn’t understand just how twisted and fucked up I was? When all this was said and done, would she be able to make it out of everything unscathed?

“I’m glad you don’t understand.” I pulled onto Chaplain Drive and into the parking lot of her school. The parking lot was nearly empty. She pushed open her door to hurry inside.

“Annabel,” I called after her, and she turned, bending down to look at me. “Your bag.” I grabbed the strap of her Coach messenger bag and held it out for her.

“Thanks.” She smiled and closed the door. I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel as I waited for her to cross the lot and enter the school.

I drove downtown to Connor’s office to grab a few files. As I entered, I winked at the receptionist, who was busy answering the phone.

“Bentley Law,” she answered, but she placed her hand over the receiver and whispered to me, “Welcome back, Mr. Bentley.”

The office reminded me of home, lots of oversized ornately carved mahogany and natural stone tiles. I grabbed the stack of files from the top of Connor’s desk, pausing when I caught a Post-it note with the letters “D.O.G.” written across it. Descendants of God. I picked up the folder and glanced over my shoulder before flipping it open. I slid it under the pile in my hands and decided to take it back to the house so I could read through it without prying eyes around.

“Rachel, can you forward my calls to the house?” I asked as I walked back into the lobby. She smiled, nodding once as she continued with her call.

I tossed the folders onto the passenger seat and hurried back to the house, my curiosity getting the better of me. I pulled out my cell and hit the speed dial for Connor.

“You up to no good?” Grace asked without even saying hello. She followed her question with a rich laugh.

“Always¸” I replied as I slowed to a stop at a red light. “How is Connor feeling?”

“He’s still in bed. The coughing kept him up most of the night.”

“Will you have him call me when he wakes? I have a few questions about a case.”

“I will do that. Is the house still in one piece?”

“Of course.”

“And Annie?”

“Annie is also in one piece.” I laughed, turning into our long driveway.

We said our good-byes, and I ended the call. I grabbed my work and made my way inside and up to the third floor. The next few hours blew by as I immersed myself in the files.

Before I knew it, it was time to get Annie, and I had hardly gotten anywhere. I leaned back against the door of my car, soaking in some of the hot Mississippi sun as I waited to for Annie to come out of her school. A cluster of girls walked down the front steps, and I smirked as they giggled, looking over at me. My eyes were drawn to Annabel as she walked down the steps, alone. Her face lit up when she saw me, but she turned when a boy called her name. I took a step from the car, not sure if he was bothering her. She laughed, her hand going against his chest, and I struggled to keep my feet planted.

She continued walking toward me, her ponytail swaying behind her with each step. I fixed a smile on my face and walked her to her side, pulling open the door. My eyes locked on the boy who’d just been talking to her. He stared back for a moment before looking to the ground. Bitch. Satisfied by his submissive response, I rounded the front of the car and got in next to her.

“How was your day?” I asked, my eyes dancing over her face.

“It was school.” She rolled her eyes as she reached for the radio. I grabbed her hand before she could change the station. She pushed her teeth into her lower lip as I held it for a fraction of a second longer than necessary.

“This is a good song.” I turned up the volume as Hinder played.

“I can’t wait to get my own car.”

“I like driving you around. Makes it easier to keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t need you to watch my every move.” She rolled her eyes.

“I like watching you.” I saw her fight against a smile as she looked out her door window.

“You could at least let me drive.”

“I’m a driver, not a passenger.”

Chapter 7 - Jacob

I was beginning to lose my mind. I was stretched out on my bed as I bounced a tennis ball off the wall.

My stomach growled, but I refused to leave my room until he left. I didn’t need another lecture about how I was an embarrassment. Smoking a little weed wasn’t that big of a deal. All he had to do was flash his stupid tin badge, and all of my problems disappeared. It made me hate him even more. Just sweep everything under the rug, and no one bats an eye. I threw the ball with a little more force, and it bounced off to the other side of my room, hitting my dresser before rolling under my bed. I couldn’t wait to get out of this fucking hellhole.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath as I groaned and sat up, my hands gripping the edge of the mattress. I looked over at the full-length mirror across the room. My skin was pale from barely leaving the house for the last few months. Without my shirt I was still muscular and lean, but I no longer looked as healthy. Dark circles marred the underside of my bloodshot eyes. I pulled down my maroon starter cap low on my head to hide them.