True Control 4.2 by Willow Madison Read Free Book Online Page A

needs to be dealt with… gently tonight.” Max looks at him, but takes a while before he nods.
    “Jake.” I watch as Max looks at his brother again; Jake turns to look at Ron. “You need to go home. And think about how your involvement here tonight only made matters worse…for everyone.”
    “I’m not leaving until I hear Max say that he won’t hurt her.” I shiver hearing this. Jake is calm, but his voice has the same edge, the same steely grit as Ron’s. I want to jump up and run. I want to cower behind Jake. I want to beg Max to forgive me. I just want to hide really.
    Max laughs. It’s a choked sound, sandpaper against bricks sound, “ You’re trying to tell me what I can and can’t do, little brother?” Oh, God. This is only getting worse.
    Ron puts his hand on both men’s arms on the table. “Enough.” I can see how he has an effect on them. Grown men, but they’re both still under his control. I can see myself in them, under Max’s control. Always. “Max, that detective is going to want to check on Lucy, to get a report tomorrow…it’d be best if you kept your anger in check right now, son.” Max again only nods.
    Ron turns to Jake. “I told you to go home. Now.” Jake nods too.
    He gets up and walks over to me, standing close, hiding me from them for a moment. He puts his finger on my cheek, tracing a tear I didn’t know was there. “I’ll call you tomorrow. You’ll be fine.” I only swallow in response, still too afraid to speak. My arms are wrapped around me, trying to hold my fear in, keep myself safe. It’s futile. But his words do make me feel better…it’s a lie, but I hold onto it.
    He walks down the hall and I can hear the door quietly open and close. I can’t help but look back at the table. Ron and Max are both staring at me with the same look. Disgusted anger. Shocked anger. Furious anger.
    I’m too frightened to move or breathe or blink. I just keep holding onto Jake’s words…I’ll be fine.

Chapter 13 HIM
    I close the front door.
    Dad stayed long enough to send Lucy to bed and make the calls he needed. I had to sit and listen as he explained that it was just an accident. That Lucy is fine and back home. No, no need to investigate anything. She was only trapped in an elevator for hours, but she’s fine now.
    I had to listen to Dad laugh and charm his way out of the favors he pulled for me. The number of people he had already involved. He didn’t waste any time. If Lucy hadn’t shown up when she did, my house was minutes from being a full-blown TV-style crime scene investigation.
    I sigh. I know he’s right. I have to keep my anger in check. Tonight anyway. There may still be questions to answer tomorrow. Too many people involved.
    For his sake. For my sake. I can’t let my anger have control. If I punish Lucy tonight…I have to stop myself from thinking this. The images that pop into my head are too vivid. My hands ache to punish her!
    I take a deep breath and walk down the hallway. I stop at our bedroom door. I can’t go in there. If I see her now…I won’t be able to stop myself.
    I turn and walk into the guest room instead and close the door quietly.

Chapter 13 HER
    I don’t remember falling asleep. I’m still in my clothes, on top of the covers. It’s late though. 3:00 a.m. I don’t need to roll over to know Max isn’t in bed. But the house is quiet. I don’t know where he is.
    I get up and head to the bathroom. The lights hurt for a second, making me blink my puffy and red eyes. I splash more water on my face. Take off my clothes. Put on my robe and nothing else.
    I don’t have a plan. I’m not really thinking. Just going on instinct. Maybe…
    I quietly open the door. I can see the guest room door is closed. He must be in there.
    I take a deep breath. Steeling myself. I can do this. I have no choice…I have to face him sooner or later…
    I quietly open the door and hear his deep breathing. I hesitate. I second guess. Maybe I should just let