eed to

ension as he reached for Beverly

looking confused. "But you just got here, broth

ro interrupted, his voice getting that dangerous tone that made

the door. She didn't fight back - she never did anymore. The chanc

e to anyone as he dragged her through the f

ere she could pretend to be normal for a few hours. She had begged him for months

, but Beverly should have kn

's voice sounded casual as he drove

Her hands twisted in her lap, some

her mute," Beverly signed, her hand moveme

"That last time we...

, taking what he wanted without caring about her feelin

And my regular p

really don't want my children." His voice sounded hurt, but she kne

could he forget that it was his own mother who forced those pil

ice getting harder. "You're not working at th

was her lifeline, her only connection t

in the rearview mirror. "It makes you look cheap. Ug

on lip gloss. The small act of making herself pretty had felt l

ect makeup, her bright red lips, her dark eye makeup that never seemed

was saying. "I can take care of you witho

away the lip gloss, the action feeling like giving u

o announced, already chan

, a familiar voice called

iro, swe

Faye walk toward their car, swaying her hips on purpose. She look

nded surprised and pleased

eetly, leaning against the car door. "I'm a guest too.

ut to strike. "I should have known you would

replied with

d her. Didn't tell Faye she was wrong. Just agreed with c

ly still. She wouldn't break. Not here. Not in front of them. She had lea

e suddenly changed, becoming a

heard wrong. Her hands moved i

anted to go to work?" His smile was cruel and

nd, never gave her what she wanted without making her pay for it somehow. B

h shaking fingers, opened it, and sta

xpensive high heel, positioned perf

she started to fall forward. The pavement rushed up to meet her, hard and unforgiving. She could alr

ling, between safety and humiliation, Beverly