“Carter used you. Like I told you time and time again, someone would try to use you against me and I was right. The only problem was when you chose to go to him I no longer had loyalties to you. You turn your back on me, you’re as good as dead!” he bawls, punctuating the last part with a glare at his men. He whips his gaze back to me. “Even if you’re my daughter.”
“You’re a monster. Why would I stay with you? You were cold and heartless. It wasn’t a life I wanted. I knew what you were, and I just wanted to go. I wasn’t choosing to kill you or go after you. I was just choosing to leave. I had no idea what had gone down between Carter and you. Carter told me we would run and take off. Never look back. Carter was letting you go. You. You did all this,” I shout and throw my hands in the air.
If he’d only let us leave that day none of this would’ve happened. Carter told me he had every intention of leaving his plans behind to just be with me. But my father came after me, and everything went to hell that night.
“I’m the monster? Your Carter is just as much a monster as I am. At least I don’t hide my viciousness. He played you, Layla, and it seems he’s still playing you. He tried to get at me through your mother and when he saw that wouldn’t work, he went for you. And you just played right into his hands, packing a bag and going to run off with him. He was just trying to get you out of the house because he knew I was finally on to him. He was going to use you against me. Don’t be so dumb, Layla. You think one little girl can make a man change his whole plan? That he would give everything up for you? No pussy’s that good. I know I kept you somewhat sheltered, but you can’t be that naïve!”
His words bounce around in my head. This can’t be true. They aren’t true. I know this with every fiber of my being.
“What about now? He got out and came for me. He went to prison for me.”
“It’s all lies. He’s using you now as a tool to get to me. He’s trying to force me out of hiding. Don’t you get it? You’re a pawn in this game. A minnow. Still the dumb little girl who can’t see what is right in front of her face.”
I look over at Jeanette who’s staring at me. I don’t know what to do with what my father has given me. But part of what he said is true. Why would Carter give up everything for me? Could this all be a game? If it is, I’m sure Carter is playing it in a way to keep me safe, to end this all. Right now it really doesn’t matter. I need to get us out of here.
“I don’t care if I’m a pawn or not at this point. Carter is going to rip you apart. If he doesn’t want me then why would he fight to get me? What does having me really do for you?”
My father smiles at that. I don’t know why I’m even fighting with him about it, it just makes my blood boil for anyone to question Carter’s loyalty to me. It’s almost laughable.
“We all know what started Carter on this path – his family. So it looks like that thing growing inside you is all the family he has left. I’m guessing he’ll do whatever it takes to get you back, not because of you but because of what’s inside of you. And now I have my very own pawn.”
“You bastard!” I scream, going to charge at him but Jeanette grabs me by the waist.
“I’m done with them for now. Take them to one of the spare rooms, Marco. Have fun with them if you like. Don’t damage that one,” he says, pointing at me. “We need her for now.”
“And the other one?” Marco asks, referring to Jeanette.
“Do what you want. But when you’re done with her, bring her to me. I don’t like them as feisty as you do. I’ll let you break her in a little for me.”
Jeanette starts to fight him, but I give her quick ‘just do it’ look. I need to get us away from everyone so we can try to find a way out of here. I still have no idea where Justin is, but time is clearly up. We’ve got to get out of here.
Marco pushes us down the same hallway my mother disappeared down and he shoves us into a room with only a bed. He slams the door shut behind him and leans against it.
“Strip,” he says while unbuttoning his shirt.
“Fuck you,” Jeanette shouts at him.
“Oh, trust me. I’m going to fuck you.”
He pushes himself off the door and grabs the front of Jeanette’s tee, ripping it all the way down the center. Her breasts fall free.
“They’re a little small for my taste but they’ll do,” he leers. She goes to smack him but he picks her up bodily and flings her across the room. She hits the mattress and bounces off, hitting the floor. I start to run to her, but he grabs me by the hair and puts a knife to my throat.