I swing. He catches it with the pad, and I continue.
Left, right, left, left, right.
“If you weren’t so good, I’d punch you in the face right fucking now.”
“Do it. Try to get in a hit, right in my fucking jaw. If you get in a hit, I’ll ease up.”
Bang! I hit him square in the jaw.
He swears at me, shaking his head. “I didn’t mean right then.” He spits out some blood. “But if you want to play dirty, I recommend it.” Un-taping my wrists, a knock comes on the door. Quinn pulls the gloves off going to get it. When he walks back in it’s Cane who’s standing next to him.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “If you die, I don’t want to miss it.” I scrunch my eyebrows at him. “Come on, man, I’m here to support you. Plus, Cunt Trap hasn’t stopped calling me, telling me you’re going to kill yourself.”
“She’s been calling you, too?” This time my head drops. I told her to give me space. So she calls everyone else. Why do I love her again?
“She hasn’t stopped. Pleaded with me to come and talk you out of it. Of course, I told her I’d try.” He smiles. “But she doesn’t need to know I won’t.” He pops some gum into his mouth, and Quinn walks out of the room. They never seem to get along. I’ve never really understood why, but I’ve never cared to look into it either.
“You came to watch me get my ass beaten,” I joke with him.
He nods his head, smiling. “I’ll cheer for you on the sidelines. How does that sound?”
“As long as you don’t do anything stupid. This isn’t your world. I can’t protect you from on the stage.”
Cane sits back on the couch his foot coming up to rest on his leg. “I don’t need protecting.”
Quinn walks in behind Cane, shaking his head but not uttering a word. “Eat and rest. One more day of training.”
Cane looks over his shoulder at him then back to me. I’m either going to die and ruin absolutely everything my father has built, or I’m going to live, and hopefully take her with me. Because Barbie is all that seems to consume my mind.
And like chocolate, you can’t help but go back for more.
CONFESSION #9
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been three days since my last confession. And this time I have a plan in place. I’m about to ruin it all for them. They just don’t realize it. Their love isn’t as important as my love.” My hand slams on the seat, as I stand to leave.
The priest goes to speak. To offer me his absolution, but I block it all out as I walk away.
Chapter Nine
Saskia
I’ve not moved. Her eyes and the way she looked at me like I could help her weighs heavily on my mind. I never asked her name because I think a part of me never wanted to know, never wanted to feel any type of closeness to her.
He’s back at my door again. Scott looks at me waiting for me to get up. My ribs don’t hurt as much now, and my facial swelling has reduced slightly. I haven’t eaten. By choice. I just couldn’t bring myself to eat knowing what happened to her. Or is happening to her right now.
“Tonight?” he confirms, pointing to the dresser that holds the dresses. So tonight is one of those nights, similar to the other time. I would prefer one of these than what I’ve just been through with that poor girl.
“You have one more girl to clean before you head out. She’s feisty. So put a shirt over the dress.” He walks off with no further instructions. Standing, I pick a dress that fits loosely but is still nice, and I slide it on so it doesn’t squeeze my ribs, or I would have to lift my hands in the air. I find foundation in one of the drawers and apply it over my bruised face before I walk out in a pair of heels.
Heading in the direction of the cement room, the door isn’t open like it was last time. My hand lifts to knock, then I realize that’s probably the stupidest thing I could do. Unlocking it from the outside, I turn the handle, and my eyes instantly go to the floor. But she isn’t there. No. When I look up, I see her. She runs at me full force knocking me to the ground. My head hits the floor hard, and her body’s now on top of mine.
“You can’t have me, you fucker.” My eyes go wide at her words, and her hands start slapping my chest. Just as I go to try to get her off of me, she’s clocked in the head and falls straight on me. She’s knocked out, and standing behind her is Scott with a wooden bat in his hand.