For the past two years, since I turned sixteen, I had no other choice but to do as he commands, he says jump, I have to ask how high. Today being no different.
“I’ll be right there,” I mutter quietly into the phone.
To protect my best friend and sister by everything but blood, I’ve done everything Justin has demanded of me. I do this so she doesn’t have to live with that monster, but I also do this to protect her brother, Lex. The very same man, I’ve been in love with and declared I’d save myself for.
Sucks that life turned out the way it has. Now Justin has tainted me to the point even if Lex liked me more than just his sister’s friend, he wouldn’t want me.
“You have five minutes,” Justin mutters before hanging up on me.
Sighing, as I put my phone down, I know I’ll have to come up with an excuse as to why I need to head out this morning considering it’s mine and Anabelle’s eighteenth birthday. Mom always did chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and sausage for us every year since I could remember.
When we were both six Anabelle’s parents died, and my mom took on the mother role to my best friend and Lex. Although she went to live with Justin for a few years she moved in with us after Lex moved out to live with the guys in his band.
Maybe if I tell them, I’m running out for a quick errand, none of them will question my leaving. Better yet, let them be distracted so that I can sneak out. They don’t know the horrors my life has been for the past two years and I don’t ever want them to.
Throwing a hoodie over my tank top, I slip my feet into my flip flops, and grab my phone. Once ready I head down the stairs on silent feet. Stopping at the foot of the stairs, I can hear my mom clattering away in the kitchen as she hums some tune to herself. Anabelle must still be asleep. This is good, I can go out the front without anyone realizing I’d left.
As quickly as I can, I hurry out the door making sure to not make a sound when I close it behind me. I don’t have much time left to get to Justin’s and I’m not going to drive. There is no point when it’s only three blocks over.
By the time I get there, Justin’s standing in the doorway. “You’re a minute late,” he sneers.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur, bowing my head. It’s one of his many rules, I’m to never meet his gaze unless he commands.
“Get your ass in here,” he snaps as he steps out of the way.
“Yes, sir.” Stepping past him, I dread what’s about to happen.
“Go into the office and strip. You know what I want you to do.” Oh, I know what he wants and every time I have to endure it, I puke the moment I’m far enough away from him.
What the hell did I ever do to deserve this?
For god sake it’s my damn birthday. I should at least get a reprieve.
Nodding my head, I do as he asks. Once I’m in his office, I step out of my shoes and remove my clothes, folding them neatly into a pile on top of my flip-flops. Naked, I move to kneel directly in front of his desk which is how Justin finds me when he enters the room.
“My chattel, always the obedient one. You learned quickly not to anger me too much.” He says as he slowly moves toward me. “Today’s your birthday, same as my niece. You will take twice as many lashes than you normally would take.”
Great, I won’t be able to move to do anything today after this.
I’ll be too weak.
“Once you take your lashing, you’re to get up and move to my desk and take position. Am I understood?”
“Yes, sir,” I murmur.
“Good girl,” he groans.
Closing my eyes, I brace for the hell I’m about to go through.
“Now count each one,” Justin commands as he lands the first lash from his belt on my back.
“One,” I say, quietly.
“Louder,” he snaps, hitting me harder this time.
“Two.”
By the time he gets to thirty-six, I’m barely able to hold myself up as I scream the last number.
“Now get the fuck up and on the desk. My cock is ready for you,” Justin chuckles with glee. He seems to get off on beating me.
It takes me a moment to get up, but I struggle through the pain to do as I’m told. I don’t want him to make things worse. He’s prone for doing just that.
Leaning over his desk, I cringe when I feel him step behind me.
“Happy Birthday, chattel,” he mutters, running his hand over my hair as he lines himself up behind me.
Right before he goes further, I close my mind off, taking myself somewhere else in my mind. It’s the only way I’ve been able to deal with this torture throughout the years. By allowing myself to conjure visions of being on the beach with Lex, playing in the waves as he laughs at me is my favorite place to go. He’s always the one I think of in order to get through everything Justin does. If only my life was different. Maybe I’d be confronting him today and professing my love for him.
Instead I’m here being tainted even more.
I don’t know when it happened or how, but throughout the rest of the morning well into the afternoon, Justin continued to hurt me.
Only when his cell phone rang, did he finally release me.
With what little strength I had, I struggled into my clothes thankful everything was loose and wouldn’t cling to my skin.
Slipping into my shoes, I make my escape. Exiting the front door, I come face to chest with none other than Lex himself.
Oh my God.
Please don’t let this be happening.
“Kenzie,” Lex says my name in shock.
Shaking my head, I try
