Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Y—yes,” I stammer, trying and failing to keep from bawling.
“Anne, help me get this bed cleared off. Just the clothes in a pile. A night on the floor won’t hurt anything. I think you both could use some sleep, or at least the chance to lie down and not have to be strong for a while.”
I swipe away the tears, angry that I’m finally out of Victor’s reach, and instead of celebrating, I’m crying. This woman looks tough as nails. She probably thinks I’m useless. “I’m fine. I’ll help.”
“Sit your ass down and take a breath for Christ’s sake,” Bonnie snaps. “You’ve seen who the hell knows what today and been taken hostage by a motorcycle club. Instead of going home and curling up in your own bed, you’re stuck here with me. Cry if you need to fucking cry. You earned it. I’ll make sure nothing else happens to either of you tonight.”
10
JESSICA
I wake up in Bonnie’s spare bed, still in the sweats I was wearing the night before. The curtains are mostly closed, but a shaft of bright sunlight slips in through the side. The clock on the wall says it’s after three in the afternoon, which is completely impossible.
I’ve never slept that late in my life. Not that I remember anyway.
I actually watch the second hand count off two more minutes before I’m willing to believe it isn’t just stopped at that time. Every morning my alarm goes off at six sharp. I have to get ready, put on my uniform and make sure everything is ready when Anne gets up at seven because her tutor comes at eight. Weekends are a little more lenient, but she’s expected to eat breakfast at nine with her father and Marissa.
My heart skips a beat when I realize what’s missing.
Anne.
I jump out of bed and rush into the living room.
Bonnie is on the couch holding a game controller, and Anne is sitting on the floor next to her with a controller just like it.
Anne leaps to her feet when she sees me and rushes over. “I had cereal with tiny marshmallows in it, and Bonnie let me try her coffee! We’re playing Mayhem City Five! This is awesome!”
Oh my God.
I’m not sure if it makes me feel better or not that Anne is acting like she’s on the best vacation ever. She’s going to need a detox and therapy. So much therapy. We both are.
“That’s… great,” I squeeze out, trying to sound supportive.
“You slept forever.”
“She needed it, kid,” Bonnie says from the couch. “I hope you don’t mind me keeping an eye on her. You were dead to the world in there.”
“What are you wearing?”
Anne grins and spins in a circle. She has a pair of hot pink leggings and an oversized black sweatshirt with some kind of scary looking band logo on the front. Her long blonde hair is pulled back in a bouncy ponytail, and glittery bow earrings dangle from her ears.
“Bonnie has so much cool stuff. She said you can borrow clothes, too.” She goes back to the TV and picks up her controller. “We’re helping this cult, who are really the bad guys, but Bonnie says they’ve got shi—lots of cash.”
“Um… okay. That sounds useful.” I have no idea what she’s talking about.
Bonnie stands up and pats Anne on the head as she walks by. “You keep that up. I’ll go help Jessica. Shout if you need backup.” She steers me into her bedroom.
The bedroom is the first place that doesn’t feel entirely like Bonnie. The walls are deep blue, and the bedding is slate gray. There are splashes of color, and Bonnie obviously uses it, but it feels different.
“Do you live here on your own?” I ask softly.
She pauses as she rummages through her closet. “I do now. Used to live in the first floor apartment with my man, but he’s gone. Aha! Found some stuff that’s probably about your size. Those days are behind me, but as you can see, I’m not that great at decluttering.” She pulls out a couple pairs of jeans and some shirts. “Here, take these and you can use my shower. It’s through there. Towels are under the sink to the left.”
Her bathroom is once again a shrine to all things Bonnie, aside from a solitary razor near the sink, and a bottle of cologne with dust on the top. I take out what’s left of my braid and shower quickly, using the shampoo and conditioner she has standing on the side of the tub. It smells like watermelon candy. Slowly, the hot water sinks into my bones and I grin.
I’m free.
Okay, not free free, but as close as I’ve been in a long time.
These people aren’t keeping me because they have a cruel master plan. Here I’m not rat girl, Victor’s little punching bag. I can just be me, Jessica. Anne’s nanny.