Chapter 2

Madison

I woke up suddenly to a cold hand gripping my arm tightly.

“Get up!” The angry voice rang in my ear.

“I…I can’t.”

My body was limp. I could barely breathe. I couldn’t even open my eyes they were so swollen from the beatings I endured throughout the night.

“Madison…get up, Now!”

I felt the cold hand smack me across my face, followed by cold water that drenched my face and entire body. The shock of the icy water woke me up.

My eyes opened up suddenly. Andrew’s face was in close proximity to mine. I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. He dragged me up by my arm, twisting it with all of his might. I screamed but was silenced with another smack to my face.

“Please…Andrew…Please, no more.” I pleaded.

“You should’ve thought of that before you fucked your own brother.” The slap that rang in my ears this time caused blood to trickle down my neck.

“I didn’t sleep with him…I swear to God…I didn’t sleep with him.” I cried.

“Don’t lie to me.” He yelled.

“He never touched me…please Andrew. Don’t hurt me.” I grabbed a hold of his hand before he attempted to strike my face again. He stopped suddenly grabbing me and pulling me into his chest.

“Swear on those kids he didn’t touch you. Swear on…Bryan.” He whispered into my hair. I heard Bryan’s name and gasped.

“I swear on the kids, on…Bryan…Andrew…please.” I begged.

“I love you Madison. Why? Why do you make me hurt you?”

He cupped my face into his hands and the expression on his face was that of shock. His eyes opened wide with both hate and sorrow as he gazed into my eyes. He carried me to the bathroom and laid me down on the cold marble floor. My head rested on my hand as the pain in my face intensified without warning, the swelling growing, and the pain was beyond belief. He turned on the water to fill up the tub. The steam from the water rose quickly and I ached to be submersed into the tub to soothe my wounded body.

Andrew approached me, and I sat up expecting him to hit me again. He raised his hands in surrender and gently motioned for me to raise my arms above my head, so he could remove my blouse. It hurt so bad I could barely lift my arms. He removed my blouse over my head carefully and, continued to undress me. I felt ashamed. I didn’t want him to touch me. I glanced at the bulging erection that wanted to spring free from his pants and I literally threw up in my mouth. I swallowed it down and prayed he didn’t act upon his urge. He lifted me gently and placed me into the tub. He glared at me for a moment, before he stood up, grabbing his cell phone from his pocket he began to pace between the bathroom and the bedroom.

“Jim? It’s Andrew. Call Dr. Nate, I need him to come over right away,” he glanced over at me. He was afraid of what he had done. He stopped his pacing and leaned in kissing my forehead, “You’re going to be alright Madison. Close your eyes and let the water heal you,” I did as he said.

I closed my eyes and submerged myself underneath the water. I was a wounded soul, but nothing hurt more than being taken away from my family.

I lifted my head up slowly, my neck cracking with every move. I tried to wash myself the best I could, but every inch of my body ached and hurt to touch.

“Madison, come…let me help you,” I grabbed his forearm and pulled myself out of the water. He was kneeling in front of me and glanced at my badly bruised face then grazed my body with guilt in his eyes, “Jesus…I…I lost control. Can you ever forgive me?” he whispered.

“Please Andrew, I want to go home.” His eyes widened. The look of anger emanated over his face.

“You’re never going home Madison; this is your home. You’re going to be my wife and bear my children,” he yanked me down to the floor towards him. The sudden movement sent pain radiating over every part of my body, “You’re never going to see him again. Is that clear?” I nodded my head as the tears burned at the back of my eyes.

I heard someone clearing their throat as I gasped for air as I cried.

“Andrew, Dr. Nate is here.” Jim said.

“Send him in.”

I sat on the bathroom floor bloodied and bruised. Bruised enough for the doctor to wrap an ace bandage around my ribs, and a makeshift cast around my arm.

“Come darling, what happened?” Dr. Nate asked.

I glanced over at Andrew.

“Nothing. I fell down the stairs. I tripped over my gym bag.” I answered nervously.

“Oh…I see. Well, you’ll have to be more careful next time won’t you.” He winked at me as the tears flooded my eyes.

I nodded and whimpered liked a wounded dog. I never thought Andrew would hurt me like this, but I was sadly mistaken.

“Come darling. Come and lie down here you’ll need to rest for the next couple of weeks.” He said as he lifted me up from the floor gently and walked me towards Andrew’s bed. I cringed at the thought of sleeping next to him. I cried even louder when I sat down, “You have to relax. You’re going to be fine. Back to the gym in no time.” He whispered softly.

Andrew stared at me hard as if looks could kill. The same look he gave me when Stone and Daniel left. The same look he gave me before he punched me in the ribs and knocked the air out of my lungs.

“Thank you, Dr. Nate. How much do I owe you for the house visit?” Andrew grinned.

“You know my price Andrew, it’s a thousand dollars. I can’t keep coming over here and fixing up your whores after you beat them.” He said looking over Andrew’s shoulder and staring at me.

“She’s not a whore, Steven. This one is going to be my wife.” He answered proudly. Giving Steven a disgruntled look.

“Sure, she is, and I’m Donald Trump.” Steven chuckled.

“Good night Steven.” Andrew said angrily.

“Yeah, take it easy young lady.” Dr. Nate shouted from across the room.

Dr. Nate was escorted by Andrew to the door. They exchanged a couple of more words, in hushed tones. Andrew slammed the door and walked towards me; leaning in he kissed my forehead.

“A thousand dollars is a whole lot of money. I guess you know how you’re going to repay me.” He said with a sinister smile.

I swallowed hard. I could feel my stomach rumbling and the bile ready to spew up out of my mouth. I turned to my side and threw up on the floor.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered as I wiped the vomit at the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand. Before I knew it, he had slapped me so hard I fell off of the bed.

“Be a good girl, Madison and clean that shit up. Just know, this will be the last time I’ll ever put my hands on you.” He grazed my body with disgust in his eyes.

He walked into the bathroom, closed the door and turned on the shower. I placed my hand over the welt that had already developed on my face. The hot sting pulsated on my palm and my salty tears burned against my cheek.

No matter how many times he punched me. No matter how many times he kicked me. No matter how many times he slapped me. I only thought of Stone and the kids it made me stronger. Stronger than I ever thought I could be.

I opened my tearful swollen eyes slowly, then turned to my side in the bed and watched the morning sunrise through the large bedroom window. The curtains were sheer enough to see the sun light up Andrew’s face. Andrew was already dressed. I could see him through the cherry wood standup mirror across from his bed.

“I have to go take care of business. You stay here and recover,” he stood tall in front of me buttoning his suit jacket, placing his Rolex watch on his left wrist. I nodded my head, “I hope I don’t have to tell you not to call that hillbilly brother of yours, do I?” I shook my head in fear.

The mention of Stone’s name made my chest tight and the buildup of tears had already begun to form in my eyes.

“No.” I whispered anxiously.

“Good. Be well. Rosalia will be here today. Ask her for anything. She makes a killer homemade chicken noodle soup.” He smiled then walked out of the bedroom.

I held on to the bedsheets and gripped them tightly between my fingers. I placed my face against the pillow and cried…hard. I felt like my life was ending and if I was never going home to Stone and the kids…then it will.