Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Don’t wake her if she’s sleeping,” I warn Cassia.
“So overprotective of her already,” she teases me with a smile.
“You have no idea,” I mutter as I leave her room and head to my SUV.
Chapter 11
JENNA
Holy crap! The mansion has a sauna.
Before I can explore any further, the doorbell chimes. I glance down the hallway, and my teeth worry my bottom lip.
When the doorbell rings again, I walk to the front of the house. There’s no peephole, so I can’t see who’s on the other side.
“Jenna,” I hear Cassia call.
Weirdly, hearing it’s her fills me with relief, and I quickly unlock the door. Opening it, I move aside so she can come in.
“Hi,” she says, a friendly smile on her face. Once again, her makeup is done perfectly, and not a single curl of her hair is out of place.
Today she’s dressed in a black pantsuit that flares wide at her ankles, and she’s wearing high-heeled sandals. Her toenails are painted a pretty pink.
She lifts her arm to move a bunch of curls over her shoulder, and the diamond bracelet on her wrist shines like a thousand stars. Never mind the huge diamond on her ring finger that matches her earrings.
Everything about Cassia is beautiful, and I feel a twinge of envy. I’d love to look and dress like her.
“Do you have tea?” she asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Nodding, I shut the door and lock it again before I walk to the kitchen.
“Nothing with caffeine, please.” I glance over my shoulder, and when I notice her hand is resting on her abdomen, my eyebrows lift, which has her saying, “I’m three months pregnant.”
She sets her handbag down on the island and takes a seat, then she pulls a notepad and pencil out and pushes the items in my direction. “So we can communicate.”
I pick up the pencil and write only one word.
Congratulations.
She smiles at me. “Thank you.”
After I’m done making tea for Cassia and coffee for myself, I sit down at the island and give her an expectant look.
“Oh, I’m just here to visit. I’m starved for female company, and I like you.”
Surprised, my mouth drops open.
She wants to spend time with me?
With a hopeful expression, she says, “I’d like to become friends with you.”
What?
When I stare at her, she lets out a chuckle. “That’s if you want to be friends with me.”
I nod quickly, my head bobbing up and down like crazy, and pulling the notepad closer, I quickly write.
I’d like that very much.
After she reads the sentence, she locks eyes with me and says, “I’m just going to address the elephant in the room. Why don’t you talk?”
My shoulders hunch forward, and I grip the pencil tighter.
‘Tell anyone, and I’ll slit your neck and fuck your throat as you bleed out,’ JJ growls in my ear as he thrusts into me again, the sharp burning pain deep inside me unbearable.
Twigs and rocks dig into my back and head as I stare up at the night sky while tears roll into my hairline.
He moves faster, and his breath hits my neck as he threatens, ‘Then I’ll go to your house and do the same with your mother and aunt. Got it?’
Somehow, I manage to nod while he grunts as he orgasms. When he pulls out of me, the burn is sharp, and a warm sticky substance trickles from me.
Just as I take hold of my shirt to pull it down, Wayne shakes his head as he unbuckles his belt. ‘My turn to fuck your pretty cunt. Keep those perky tits on display for me.’
The horror, disgust, and shame shudder through my body as the memory of the worst four hours of my life flashes through my mind.
“Jenna?” Cassia quickly stands up and comes around the side of the island to place her arm around my shoulders.
It’s only then I realize I’m gasping for air and a tear has escaped, rolling down my cheek.
She brings her other hand to the side of my head and presses my cheek to her chest. “Shh…It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here. I’ve got you.”
I can’t remember the last time anyone hugged me. Probably the day I said goodbye to Mom and Aunt Sherrie.
Mr. Oliveira held me when he carried me, but that wasn’t a hug.
Needing the comfort Cassia is giving me, I lift my arms and wrap them around her.
She smells like expensive flowers, and as I focus on slowing my breaths, her scent envelops me.
“Oh, I’ve got you, sweetheart. I’m so sorry I asked. I didn’t mean to trigger you,” she coos, and it makes me feel better.
When I’ve calmed down, she pulls away and uses her thumb to brush away the wet streak the tear left.
She takes a seat right beside me, then takes hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Better?”