The man who raped me and then my father either didn’t believe me, or didn’t care.
My ears roar.
“Nora?” my dad raises his eyebrow. I can tell from his tone that this wasn’t the first time he said my name.
“Yes?”
My cheeks flush.
“William just asked you to go sailing with him tomorrow. He’d like to discuss the Chicago deal with you. Answer him, please.”
I look up at William and find him watching me with aging eyes. The wrinkles around his mouth tighten as he waits for my answer.
My stomach rolls.
I’m gong to throw up.
I swallow hard.
“You are the expert about that deal,” I say carefully. “I haven’t officially even started yet. William, you should discuss it with my father at this point.”
My father shoots daggers with his glare, but I ignore it and sip at my water.
I can do this.
Brand is still watching me, still waiting to come to my aid. But he can’t. Because this is a family affair. There’s nothing anyone can do.
“I’d rather discuss it with you,” William says, taking a swig of Scotch. “You’re more agreeable than your father. But if tomorrow doesn’t work for you, we’ll do it another time.”
I glance into his eyes and his are icy, dangerous. He’s pretending to be understanding now. It won’t last. When I’m alone with him… when I’m alone with him… when I’m alone.
My breath catches and I can’t take another one.
I’m frozen.
My mother comes to my aid.
“Nora, if you’re finished, can you come to my room? I’m taking a trip to France in a month or so and I’d like for you to look at something.”
Thankfully, I nod.
Yes.
Thank you, God.
William stands when I do, and he presses my hand as I leave, his thumb biting into the pad of my palm. Hard. A warning.
Don’t try and run from me.
Gratefully, I trail after my mother down the hall and I feel William staring at me as I leave. I don’t look back, instead, I numbly stop in the bathroom and scrub my hand where he touched it before I join my mother in her room.
Silently, I pray that Brand will be all right with the piranhas back in the dining room.
My mother brings several items from her closet and searches my face.
“Are you all right?”
I nod. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”