How did he find the lipstick? I’m always so careful. I rack my brain trying to remember where I would have left it. Then I see it. The small, wooden box I keep hidden in the air conditioning vent in my closet. Inside are my most prized possessions. I may have been the Marinetti Shipping heir, but I had nothing unless Michael provided it. No, my most prized possession would bring you nothing at an auction. They consist of four things. Four things that mean everything to me.
First was the lipstick Nicole gave me. Next was a note from my father. The very last note I ever got from him. I don’t know why I keep it. I hate him for what he did to me. There’s a picture of me and Nicole in one of those silly photo booths at a town fair. It was probably the best day I’ve ever had in my life. Finally, there is the one thing in this world that I need to survive. The one thing I touch every night. My mother’s medallion. She gave it to me before she died. It’s my last connection to my mother. I can’t lose it. I can’t.
My heart stops. The monster has them. I know he won’t give them back. He will destroy them, just to prove a point. He will relish the fact that he is hurting me. A hundred words come to my lips, words I could use to beg him to give me my things back. I clinch my hands in tight fists, letting my nails bite into my skin. I can’t beg. Begging him only incites him to go further, to be meaner. I remain quiet, waiting.
“Have you nothing to say, Melinda?”
“I am sorry, Michael.”
“Is there some reason you have kept these things hidden from me, my darling wife?”
The fake sugary-sweetness he uses when calling me his wife causes the acid in my stomach to boil. How much hate can one person hold in their body? There are times, when I think I have nothing but hate.
How do I answer here? Do I tell him I didn’t want him touching them? That if he did, he would somehow taint them? Do I lie and say they are unimportant? I’m honestly at a loss on how to answer.
In the end, I shrug and try playing down the whole thing.
“They are just memories of my childhood. Nothing that important Michael,” I answer, trying to inject sincerity into my words.
Michael comes around in front of me leaning on his desk. His arms are crossed and he looks so relaxed. I know what’s coming though. I know what always happens when I do something to displease the monster. The sick feeling inside of me floods through my bloodstream. Will he kill me this time? He’s come close before. Will tonight be the final end of it all? I think I’d be okay if it was. I need it to end. I can’t keep going like this. I’m tired.
Acknowledgments
By book three you would think I have this author thing figured out right? You forget I’m blonde. There are way too many people to thank, and I’m trying to get better and condensing so I don’t bore everyone. So, let me begin by giving a blanket thank you to my Street Team and the woman who runs it Neringa. Those girls blow my mind daily with their laughter, their encouragement and their friendship. There’s not a one of them I don’t love and appreciate.
Kurt Gangluff I miss you daily. Thank you so much for the encouragement and friendship.
Thank you to Margreet Asselbergs with Rebel and Edit designs for designing and re-designing this cover. It’s not easy to go against what is mainstream. It’s much harder to go against the grain of what is expected in an MC book. I will not lie though, this is my favorite cover to date and I would have messed it up completely had Margreet not held steady and strong and taught me to go with my gut.
Thank you to Sabrina Paige. For your mentorship certainly, but more importantly for your friendship. My day is empty if I go without at least saying hi to you.
Thank you to Sam Crescent. I was panicking and you calmed me. I was thinking of not writing again and you calmed me. You my friend are just an amazing human being and a kick-ass author. To even be able to say I have spoken with you means the world, because your books kept me sane when Poppy was dying. I am still and will forever be star-struck. (The same could be said for your partner in crime Jenika Snow).
Thank you to Jen Wildner of Just One More Page for being so amazing in everything you do for authors, and for holding my hand, encouraging me and making me laugh. I love you to infinity and beyond.
Thank you to Fran Owens and CJ Fling for editing and being here every step of the way. I love you women.
Thank you to Mayra Stratham for just being a totally amazing human being and friend.
Thank you to Jess Peterson for your friendship, your encouragement and for running kick-ass parties. I can’t wait to see how fantastic your new business will be. Though I miss your touch and help with my books, I have all the faith in the world in you and can’t wait to see your business explode! Love you Big.
Thank you to Krissy Gentry, Tami Czenkus, Corry Parnese, LaVida Brisco and Echo Clayton for your laughter, your support and most of all for being my friend.
KA Matthews you were phenomenal in your help with this book. I wish you every success with your new venture!
Dessure Hutchins I love you from your Double D’s to your tiny ass and your sexy toes. No words express how much you mean to me.