Tara
I pull the car to a stop and immediately notice Brewer’s bike outside. Rushing, I grab my purse and jump out of the car. My whole body shakes with a mixture of fear and anger. My legs move fast as I charge toward the door. I try the handle but it’s locked.
Fuck.
I raise a clenched fist, banging loudly on the door.
“Mom!” I yell, my eyes darting to the window to see if there’s any sign of action.
I bang again. “Mom.”
No answer.
Shit, Mom, come on.
I step back searching for some sign that there’s someone inside.
The sound of the lock turning has me bolting back toward the door.
“Tara.” Mom peeks through the small gap. I gasp at the sight of her face. Her eyes are red-rimmed and dried blood covers her face.
“Oh, God, Mom…”
“Come in. Quickly,” he orders and I see him standing behind Mom with a gun pointed to her head. My feet shuffle until I’m through the small gap and he slams the door behind me. I instantly reach for Mom, but he pulls her back.
“What have you done to her?” I glance between the monster and my mother.
“I’m okay.” She widens her eyes, her words almost fall out of her swollen mouth as a mumble.
“In there,” he orders with a flick of his gun. Pointing to the living room, I do as he commands, making my way inside.
“Please, I’m here now. Just let her go.”
“Not a chance. Your bitch of a mother has hit, kicked, and bitten me. She needs to be kept on a short leash.” I glance down, noticing he has her hands bound behind her back.
“What’s wrong? A taste of your own medicine a little too bitter to take, huh?” she goads him, and I love her fire. Lifting his hand, he strikes her across the face and my mother falls to the floor.
“Don’t,” I scream, rushing toward him. Placing my hands on his chest, I push him back, but it makes little impact. Dropping to my knees, I help my mother up off of the floor, guiding my mom back onto her feet. “I’m so sorry. So fucking sorry.”
“Stop whispering,” he says. His large hand lands heavily on my shoulder as he pulls me away from her. “You need to start listening to me. You’ve had all of your life together. But me. I didn’t even know I had a fucking daughter. I always wanted a little girl of my own.” He tilts his head glaring intensely at me.
“You just want another pawn in your game. And I refuse to be a part of your games. I want nothing to do with you.”
“You don’t even know me, yet.” He mock pouts, his eyes drooping like some fucking puppy dog. Only, he ain’t cute and that shit won’t work on me.
“I don’t want to get to know you. Look,” I yell, pointing angrily at my mother. “Look what you did to her… you really think I’d ever want anything to do with a piece of shit like you?”
“I’ve been lied to for years. You think someone like me can just sit back and not do anything about that? She denied me what’s mine.”
“I’m not a goddamn possession,” I fire back.
“You are my daughter.”
“Only in blood. My mom was all I ever needed growing up. And I’m thankful. Thankful that she kept me away from a cockroach like you.”
His jaw tightens and his eyes darken with anger. He barrels toward me, his hand landing heavily on my throat. “How dare you! How dare you disrespect me.”
“NO!” my mom screams, charging her body toward him in an effort to get him to let go. He squeezes tightly and I wrap my hands over his, trying to get him to loosen the hold. But it’s no use.
His free arm flies out, knocking Mom to the floor again. My eyes follow her and I feel completely helpless. She continues to scream at him, her legs thrashing wildly as she tries to get him to let go. But the noise becomes nothing but a blur. My vision becomes hazy and I’m pretty sure I’m going to pass out soon.
“What the fuck?” he yells, finally loosening his grip and throwing me to the floor. I scramble, coughing and heaving as I try to get some oxygen in my lungs. Brewer races over to the window, peeking through the curtain.
“You stupid fucking whore.” He glowers at me. “You called your boyfriend, huh? Didn’t I warn you not to do that?” His arm lifts and straightens, the gun now pointing at Mom once again.
“No,” I rush out, sliding until my body is positioned in front of Mom.
“Move, you stupid girl.”
“I won’t let you do this,” I snap.
“Tara, you can’t do this. It’s me he wants.”
“I was so stupid. I’m so sorry, Mom.”
I remain on the floor, cowering but covering my mom. He seems hell-bent on hurting her and if I can stop him from hurting her, I will.