Chapter Twenty-Five:

It was supposed to be an easy afternoon. It was supposed to be carefree, effortless girl time. It was supposed to be a lot of things. It started out as all of those things.

I went with Tiffany to the nail salon. I was introduced to a few of her fellow bubbly female friends. They were nice enough – harmless. We were in the middle of getting our toes painted when my mother walked into the shop. The problem was, she wasn’t alone. My father walked in with her, with his hand on the small of her back. He looks just like my nightmares paint him.

He has the same handsome, sharp, fear-inducing face. He has cold, blue eyes and a deceiving smile. I shrank back into my seat.Tiffany seemed to pick up on it, but didn’t say anything. They didn’t look over at us or notice that we were there. It didn’t take long for that to change.

My mother caught my eye and smiled. It was then that I knew. That moment made everything that she was planning crystal clear. I wasn’t leaving this establishment alone and definitely unscathed.

I fell silent. The girls’ animated chatter fell on my deaf ears. I sat still as my nails dried. I pulled out my phone and texted Brian and Doug.

SOS. Mother brought Dad to the nail salon. @Nancy’s Nails. Idk what’s going to happen.
-Lydia

I made sure the message went through before pocketing my phone. Now, I wait. I paid my manicurist and tipped her nicely. She smiled and grabbed my boots before putting them in my bag. I kept on the flip-flops that were given to me as the paint dried.

I ushered a quick goodbye and thank you to the girls, but booking it away from the shop. I panicked and wasn’t too sure where I was going. I didn’t have a vehicle. I didn’t know how to get home from here. It was stupid to come here. I should’ve known better.

I called Doug and let him know I was trying to put distance in between us. He didn’t like it but told me to keep moving and he would be there as soon as he could. I didn’t think he was coming alone.

My mind raced. I kept thinking about how normally this afternoon started.

I didn’t hear anyone come up behind me. I didn’t feel pain shoot up my back as I fell forward. I didn’t realize what was happening until my face bit the concrete. I winced and pushed myself up. I looked in front of me and saw a rock lying near me. It hadn’t been there before. Who threw it? I whipped around and saw the man I was trying to avoid – my father. His lips curled into an evil smirk.

“Is that any way to greet your father?” He asked in a menacing whisper. I trembled and tried to scoot away from him. I was only met with a sharp pain that burned through my back. I heard the crack before I felt the next blow. I held an arm in front of my face to shield myself and turned to see what he was doing to me. He’s whipping me with the metal part of his belt. I shook my head and tried to stop freaking out. This is really happening. I can’t just lay here and take it. I scrambled to my feet and left my sandals discarded on the sidewalk.

“You shouldn’t be here.” I told him.

“When will you learn? It’s never stopped me before.” He told me. He moved his hand again. I tried to dodge his belt, but moved too slowly. Pain seared in my arm. “Are you going to cry for Daddy?” He taunted me.

“You don’t deserve my tears.”

“You’re the only good thing that’s come from your whore of a mother. You’re more beautiful than she ever was. That’s why she hates you – you know? I love how you look when you cry. You look so lovely while I break you.” He growled.

“Are you even sure I’m yours? Lynn has slept around her entire fucking life.” I bit out. He just continued to sneer at me.

“Of course, I’m sure.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. “Do you remember all the good times we used to have, little Dove?” He asked me. I cringed. “You were always a welcomed distraction for killing time.”

“You’re just like her. You both get off on hurting people.”

“Not people, you, little Dove.” He grinned, before delivering a knee into my stomach. Fucking hell. He didn’t stop with one blow. He let me drop to the ground and kicked me. I have no idea how I’m going to get out of this.

---

Brian’s POV

Doug called me right after I get the text from Ace. He asked me to go to the salon. He said that he would take some of his guys and look for her outside of the beauty shop. I have no idea what to expect. Lydia never talks about her dad. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of things that she’s said to her mother. He doesn’t sound like a good gut. All I know is that he was abusive and I have no idea how.

I sped to the salon and made it in record time. Tiffany looked at me in surprise when she saw me walking in. She waved and I gave her a half-assed wave in return. I spotted Lynn. She looked at me and grinned with a carnivorous smile. I stormed up to her.

“Where is she?!” I asked her in a hushed yell. She smirked and crossed her arms.

“Where is who?” She countered.

“Lydia, your daughter,” I told her. She shrugged.

“How am I supposed to know where that girl is? I’m not her keeper. I don’t watch her every second of the day.”

“Because the world would fucking end if you actually acted like her fucking mother, instead of a gold-digging whore.” I spat. She grinned at me and put a hand on my bicep before stroking my arm.

“You’re strong. Aren’t you? I see what my daughter sees in you. You’re a delicious man. You know that? Give me a night. Let me show you just how much I can rock your world.” She whispered as she pressed herself against me. I grabbed her wrist and I took her hand off of me.

“I’m not interested.”

“Oh, but you’ll change your mind. They all come around in the end. You’re not different.” She told me.

“You’re like a fucking bitch in heat.” I growled. “Are they here?!” I asked her. She looked at me with fake confusion.

“Oh, no. They left awhile ago, but that doesn’t mean you have to.” She said, putting her hand back on me. I brushed it off.

“Don’t fucking touch me. People like you disgust me.” I told her before grabbing my phone. I dialed Doug’s number. “She’s not here.” I told him as I left the shop. I started walking, seeing if I could see anyone.

“Alright, thank you. We’re looking, too. I’ll let you know if we find something.” He assured me.

“Lynn is fucking toxic.”

“I know that. I won’t be seeing her anymore after today.”

“Good.” I said before hanging up.

---

Lydia’s POV

“Don’t delude yourself. There’s no way that I’m the first woman you’ve done this too. You’re a bully. You get off on hurting people that are smaller than you. You and Derek are the same.” I told him. His smirk only deepened.

“I’ve never raped you.”

“That’s the only good thing you’ve ever done for me.”

“Remember that the next time you’re cursing my name.” He demanded. I rolled my eyes.

“You don’t scare me.” I told him, forcing myself to stand taller. I made sure my voice was steady, and by some miracle, I had stopped trembling. “I’m not a little girl, anymore. You can’t keep pushing me around.”

“On the contrary, my sweet, little Dove, the fact that you’ve grown into a woman only makes this that much sweeter.” He told me, leaning over me, getting in my face. I didn’t cower. He doesn’t deserve the satisfaction. “I’ll tell you what, Lydia…” He drawled. "I’m going to leave you to think about what I’ve told you. Know that I’m coming back for you and I’m coming soon. Your mother was very… persuasive when she told me what she wanted me to do to you. I suggest you mind your mother. Make sure you let that boy know that you’re ours, first and foremost. I’d hate for anything to happen to your friend, because you couldn’t obey simple directions. Wouldn’t you?” He sneered. I glared at him.

“What makes you think that I’ll just let you walk away?” I quipped. He just smiled. I moved before he realized what I was doing. I took a step back and he staggered, caught off-balanced. I took my knee and rammed it into his groin with all my strength. He howled in pain. I brought the palm of my hand into his nose with a surprising amount of force. Blood gushed from his face.

“Stupid, Dove.” He glowered. He whipped my head back with the back of his hand. I fell back. He gripped my hair and picked me up. He took a cloth out of his back pocket and covered my mouth and nose with it.

“Stop!” I tried to yell. I went limp in his grip.

---

Sirens jarred me from my slumber. I tried to open my eyes, only to be greeted with a harsh light and intense pain.

“She’s awake!” Someone exclaimed. I tried to turn my head and couldn’t. Where am I? My eyes are so heavy. Maybe a little sleep wouldn’t be so bad. Would it?

Notes

So, that just happened. Next couple updates may be short. Insomnia and immune systems don't seem to mix well. Being sick sucks. Thoughts? Comments? Next chapter up tomorrow.

Stay excellent!

xo
Katie