Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“The hell we are.” I wipe more blood from my aching nose.
They drag me back into my place, anyway.
Rita scurries inside and into her kennel. Poor baby is scared to death.
Garrett’s face is red with anger as David shoves my phone into my hands.
I look down at the screen and start to tap in the number for the DA’s office. Then I pause, my finger hovering above the keypad.
I look back at Garrett.
He leers at me. “You going to do it, or do I have to chop your fingers off and put the number in myself?”
“Yes, sorry.” I blink several times and look toward the ceiling. “Just can’t remember the number offhand. And I don’t have it saved in my contacts.”
“Look in your recent calls. You’ve called them before, haven’t you?”
I nod my head slowly.
He raises a fist. “Then move it, bitch.”
I recoil at his fist. Where is the justice here? How can I allow this man, this rapist, to roam the streets free? He won’t be able to slake his thirst with my body alone. Don’t I owe it to his future female victims to take a stand here?
“I swear to God, if you don’t call that motherfucker right now…”
I put up a hand in defense. “I’m going.”
But I don’t type anything into the phone. I tap the screen a few times, then put the phone to my ear.
I’ve called this number several times. It’s an automated line. First they ask for my extension, and then I’m connected directly to Trish.
I wait a few seconds and then pretend to type a few more numbers. “I’m putting in her extension,” I explain.
Garrett doesn’t respond.
I wait a few more seconds. Then I start speaking.
“Hi, Trish. This is Tessa. Tessa Logan.”
I pause for what I hope is a believable amount of time.
“Yes, I’m calling about my complaint regarding Mr. Garrett Ramirez.”
Another pause.
“Yes, I would like to withdraw—”
But I’m cut off by my phone’s ringtone. I look in horror to see that my mother is calling me. Probably checking up on me after the funeral, making sure I’m doing all right.
God, she has no idea how much she just fucked me over.
Garrett reacts immediately and pounces. He tackles me to the ground, his hands wrapped tightly around my wrists. My phone clatters to the floor.
“Do you think I’m a fucking moron?” he asks through gritted teeth.
My whole body trembles underneath him. “No…of course not…”
“You think you’re clever, you little slut?”
I shake my head. “My phone…it’s…”
He chuckles. “What are you going to say? It’s broken? It has some weird defect where incoming calls interrupt ongoing calls? Do you think I’m that fucking dumb?”
I don’t answer.
He slaps me across the face, hard. Then he lets go of my wrists and clamors for my phone.
Shit, that stings. I bring my hand to my face and rub it.
He shoves the phone back in my face. “Fucking call the DA. And this time, you’ll be putting it on speaker.”
David squats down next to me. “I’d do what he says, gorgeous. Don’t want that pretty little face of yours to get fucked up, do you?”
I stifle a sob as I get to my feet. I look around my apartment. Poor, sweet Rita is still shaking in her kennel.
I’m out of ideas.
I take my phone, tap in the number of my contact at the DA’s office while Garrett glares at me and David locks the deadbolt on my door. I press the speaker button so Garrett knows I’m not trying to trick him this time.
“Thank you for calling the Suffolk County DA,” the recording says. “If you know your party’s extension, enter it now.”
I tap in the numbers.
Shit. Goes to voicemail. “This is Trish McCoy with the DA’s office. I’m sorry I can’t take your call. Please leave me a detailed message and I’ll return your call as soon as I can.”
“Hi, Trish, it’s Tessa Logan. I’m calling because”—I clear my throat—“I’ve had a change of heart. I’d like to withdraw the charges against Mr. Ramirez. Please give me a call. Thanks.”
I throw my phone down. “Satisfied?”
“I will be,” he says, “as soon as you take off those clothes.”
My jaw drops.
He laughs wickedly. “Not for me, of course. Been there, done that. For my pal David here. Seems he’s had his eye on you for fifteen years. Since you fit into those little white panties.”
“No.” I back away. “Absolutely not.”
“You’re going to show me that grown-up pussy,” David sneers. “Or Ben Black goes down.”
I gulp.
Ben didn’t do anything. He couldn’t have. He’s a good man. An honest man.
The man who helped me see myself as I truly am—a strong and independent woman who’s no one’s victim.
The man I love.
Rita runs out of her kennel, barking and snarling. She leaps at David, clawing at his leg.
He kicks her away. “Get this fucking mutt off me!”