I had to manage the store on my day off of work and then slip into the back and walk around to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves. Remember, Dad was just entertaining friends.
I stood at the register for twenty minutes and then walked toward the front door. The parking lot was empty. It was dark outside. I slowly started to pull the chains on the neon lights, killing any and all attention to the store. I reached for the door and had my hand on the lock when the door busted open.
It almost hit me as a man came rushing through.
He was dressed nice, his hair slicked back, gold chains and rings everywhere.
“Well, hello to you,” he said. “Locking me out, beautiful?”
“No. I’m sorry. Can I help you?”
“Of course you can. Do you remember me?”
“No.”
“I’m Uncle Frank,” he said with a grin.
Real Uncle? Or the ‘entertaining friends’ Uncle?
His hand touched my waist and he stepped at me. I backed away and he put his hand to my lower back, wanting me closer to him.
“Are you here for…”
“I’ve got plenty here to give,” he said. “We can go for a ride right now, Ava.”
“That’s okay.”
“I can take you places you’ve only dreamed of.”
I forced a weak smile.
Every time I took a step back, Uncle Frank stepped at me. I backed up into a display of chips, knocking two bags to the floor.
“Ut-oh,” he said. “Clean up on aisle four.”
He grabbed my wrist and pulled it toward him. Down there.
I wiggled away and jumped back. “What are you doing?”
“It’s just us, Ava. Your father owes me plenty. We can settle up right now. I’ll put my hand over your mouth even. Nobody will hear us.”
I kept moving back and Uncle Frank kept coming at me. I went all the way down the aisle, this out of shape, too much cologne guy staring at me with bad intentions. When I bumped into one of the coolers, I decided to make my move. I jumped to the right and hurried to open the door. I put my hands to the glass and pushed hard, slamming it off Uncle Frank’s body. He actually stumbled back. So I hurried to grab a half gallon of iced tea and that was going to be my weapon.
“You little cunt,” Uncle Frank said with a laugh. “That’s how you like it? Like an animal stalking its prey?”
He showed me his teeth and then lifted his hands, curling his fingers.
He was trying to mimic an animal and it was actually kind of scary.
He took one step at me and I swung the half gallon at him. I missed, turned, and Uncle Frank grabbed me, pressing his front to my back.
“There, there,” he whispered. “I’ll take such good care of you.”
“Ava!” a voice boomed through the store.
“Dad!” I cried out. “I need…”
Uncle Frank covered my mouth. He then threw me forward and tripped me. I hit the ground hard. He then showed me he was hiding a gun.
He pointed at me. “Say one fucking word and I’ll fucking kill you.”
Dad came running down the aisle toward me. “What the hell happened?”
“Hey, Jake,” Uncle Frank said. “I came in and she was on the ground. You okay, Ava?”
“I tripped,” I said. “I’m fine.”
Dad helped me up. He looked at me. “Are you…”
“I feel a little sick.”
“Whoa, hey,” Uncle Frank said. “Keep that shit away from me. No offense. You should send her home.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Dad said to me.
I touched my stomach. I was actually sick. From what almost happened with Uncle Jake.
“Go home, Ava,” Dad said. “Get some rest. You call me in the morning. I’ll make some of your mother’s famous soup. That could cure anything.” Dad kissed his fingers and shook them in the air.
“He’s right,” Uncle Frank said. He touched my shoulder. It send chills through my body. “You’re too beautiful to be sick, Ava.”
I wanted to throw up.
I would throw up, outside, next to my car.
Before that I watched Uncle Frank put his arm around Dad and walk him toward the back of the store. Uncle Frank looked back at me one last time, giving me a wink.
Later, at home, in bed, crying, I wished someone would save me. My mother would have slapped me in the face if she heard me. She had always been a fighter, a survivor. But she was the one who ended up killed.
Was it so wrong to want to lean on someone for once?
Wasn’t there any good guys out there?
The truth was this…
Someone was going to save me - but he wasn’t a good guy at all.
chapter three
(jace)
NOW
Amy slipped her pants up her left leg and stood up. She didn’t have any panties on when I tore those jeans off her tight little ass the night before. I knew Amy from years back. She had been a cheerleader, but not the best one. Desperate for any kind of attention sent her out of Bishop where she got pregnant in her first semester of college. The kid’s father was some dickhead football star that actually ended up going pro. Lucky for Amy because she collected a hefty child support check each month. But that she blew on a fancy car, luxury apartment, and a lifestyle that was too far out of reach for her.