Synopsis:
I was young enough not to understand that my life was different. Colin became the one person that I could count on to protect me. He suffered for the both of us by carrying the burden of our secret.
We were the lucky few that got a chance to start over. A fake family, a new home and a pretty little life built on lies. But while our lives continued to intertwine, we were put on very different paths. Now it was only a matter of time before they collide and the beast behind the beauty is exposed.
Excerpt (Wounds Scene)
“What are your plans for the day, little one?” I asked, and she
startled.
“I have a report I need to finish on the adverse effects of
corporal punishment used on children.” I laughed and shook my head,
my eyes going back to the television. “Yeah, so that will be fun.
But if Connor and Grace aren’t back, I can always skip school
tomorrow.”
“Not a chance.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
I looked over at her, her eyebrow raised in challenge.
“You had a private tutor.”
“I had antisocial tendencies and a habit of challenging authority.”
I laughed as the credits rolled on the screen in front of us.
“I don’t doubt that.”
We fell silent as we both sat, unmoving. “So this guy…” I let
my voice trail off.
“He’s just a guy.” She shrugged as she pulled on a loose thread
on the blanket.
“Is he a good guy?”
“Are you?” she shot back.
“That’s a loaded question.” I stood up, stretching, and when I
looked down at her, her smile fell. “What?”
“Did that hurt?”
I sighed as I thought of the marks that covered my back. “Don’t.”
I walked over to the shelves of movies, scanning the titles. I didn’t
know if it bothered me more that she was asking about them or that
she looked upset over my injuries. I was no one for her to feel sorry
for. While I’d received them for not doing what I was told, I’d
earned them by following through with the orders. But answering that
question perplexed me. If you take a child and never show him
affection, any attention received is positive in his eyes. Coupling
that with the twisted abusive behavior and dominance that was
instilled in me so young, I learned to derive gratification from
receiving pain as well as giving. It was a release, a way to atone
for my sins.
She stood and walked up to my side. My scars should have been a
warning to not get close to someone like me, but Annabel saw my
dominant side as a reflection of my overprotective nature toward her.
My eyes closed as her hand ran softly over my back. Her featherlight
touch on my own wounds more painful than when I had received them.
“Annabel, stop,” I bit out, but she continued on, her fingers
trailing over the raised welts. My body stiffened, not wanting
someone to give me affection I didn’t deserve. It turned my
stomach, and for once I was completely thrown off guard. So I did
what I knew best, and I instilled fear in her.
“I said fucking stop,” I seethed as I grabbed her by her
shoulders and slammed her small body against the movies, causing the
shelves to shake. Her green eyes were wide with fright, and now I was
the one desperate to touch. Her fear was palpable, and while I knew I
was pushing away the one person who even remotely began to understand
me, it was for her own good. She didn’t have to understand as long
as she listened. But listening to me was something Annabel rarely did
anymore. She’d become too comfortable in my presence, and now she
ignored the alarms that would set a normal person on edge. That was
what terrified me about her seeing this guy. I had no idea what kind
of person he was, but I knew Annie wouldn’t be as cautious as she
should be.
“Annabel…” I rested my forehead against the case, my body
hovering over hers, caging her in with my arms on her shoulders. Her
name came out like a plea for help.
“I-I’m sorry.”
I lifted my head and looked at her. The fear-induced stutter let me
know I had succeeded in making her understand.
I took a step back from her, running my hand along my jaw before
turning and leaving the room, desperate to put distance between us.
Author Bio:
"I was a Russian spy at the ripe age of thirteen, given my uncanny ability to tell if someone was lying ( I also read fortunes on the weekends). By sixteen I had become too much of a handful for the Lethal Intelligence Ensemble (L.I.E.). I was quickly exiled to the south of France where I worked with wayward elephants in the Circus of Roaming Animals and People (C.R.A.P.). I was able to make ends meet by selling my organs on the black market for pocket change and beer money. At the age of twenty three I decided to expand my horizons and become a blackjack dealer in Ireland. I loved the family atmosphere at Barney's Underground Liquor Lounge (B.U.L.L.). People couldn't resist the allure of Liquor up front and poker in the rear. Eventually I became tired of the rear and headed off to the United States to try my hand at tall tales. That is what brings us here today. If you have a moment I'd like to tell you a story.
(This bio is not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.)Teresa Mummert is an army wife and mother whose passion in life is writing. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Todaybestselling novels White Trash Beautiful and Suicide Note. Born in Pennsylvania, she lived a small town life before following her husband's military career to Louisiana and Georgia. Check out her website for samples and updates! TeresaMummert.com"
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