Have I Told You (22 page)

I covered my mouth. My other hand went across my stomach. I felt sick. Beverly was standing there. She’d knocked over a chair just to get my attention.

“Beverly,” my voice was barely above a whisper.

“Mrs. Holden,” she corrected me through a sneer.

“Mrs. Holden.”

Backing up, trying to get the most space between us, the back of my legs hit the couch, and I fell back onto the cool leather. If I could have crawled into the wall and hid, I would have.

She had on a black leather leotard and heeled boots that went up to her thighs. How she walked in them, I had no idea. She had little black cat ears on her head and a long whip in her hand. The eyes behind her cat mask were cold and vacant. I was terrified.

She snapped her whip onto the marble floor. The crack made me jump. She laughed. Evil bitch.

Her red hair was an unnatural color. It seemed to glow in this lighting. She started to walk toward me, and I started to tremble.

“Listen up, you little whore. I don’t think you understand the magnitude of my power. I can make your life a living hell, and if you stay with Caston, understand that it will be hell. I can’t believe he has fallen under your spell, you money hungry bitch. What did you do, brainwash him to believe you cared about him? You aren’t right for him.”

She was in my face now, with her finger poking into my chest. Her red nails were sharp and they felt as though they were cutting into my skin. I winced at the pain.

“Stay. Away. Leave him now. Before he even comes back here. I’ll relay the message.”

She stood up and walked over to the bar, pouring herself a drink of something strong. I could smell it all the way from where I was sitting. She acted as if she had no doubt I would follow her edict.

I pulled my legs up on to the couch and hugged my knees into my chest. Rocking myself, I closed my eyes. Mark was all that came to my mind. This is how Mark treated me. Why do I let people walk all over me? I had vowed myself that I would change.
Caston, please God, if you can hear me, please come save me.
I knew it would never work, but a girl could wish, right?

Almost, as if on cue, I heard noise on the stairs. Caston appeared at the top. I rushed into his arms almost in tears. He stumbled back slightly when my body hit his. “What’s wrong Sabrina?”

Wrapping me in his arms he cuddled me. Safety. “She is what’s wrong,” I mumble into his chest.

Sabrina is beside herself. I left her and she was fine. What could have... HER! Damn it! I cradle Sabrina to my chest. Comforting her fears.

“Beverly, I am not doing this anymore. No more lies. No more threats. No more, Beverly!” I screamed.

“Caston, if you know what is best for you and your dear little whore. You’ll continue to call me Mother, and you’ll get rid of her once and for all. She has already cost you more than you know.” She walks toward us much too calm. I brace myself, covering Sabrina’s head, so she doesn’t have to hear all the yelling.

“No, no fucking way! Your threats will NOT run my life anymore. Sabrina is my everything. She made me realize that you are a piece of shit, trying to ruin my life. Oh, and Beverly...” I laugh, “trust me, I can ruin you so fast your head will spin.”

Just as I moved Sabrina behind me to protect her, a hard smack lands across my face. I could feel the sting rise to the surface. I was afraid Beverly would lay her hands on her and hurt my beautiful girl.

Beverly’s boney finger was in my face, “You will call me Mother, or you’ll regret it. Mark my words, Caston.”

“GET. THE. FUCK. OUT. OF. MY. CLUB!” Thankfully security was bounding up the stairway, as I finished saying that. They drug her away from Sabrina and me.

Sabrina’s legs gave out from under her. I sunk to the floor with her, cradling her to my chest. All the commotion had made people on the dance floor and the music come to a halt. Everyone was staring up here. Sara, thankfully, was right there to draw the curtains to shut us off from the rest of the club.

“Sabrina, please settle down. Shhh, baby, please.” I stroked her head, trying to calm my hysterical girl.

Sara fetched a glass of water and knelt down to hand it to her. She laid her hand on Sabrina’s shoulder and kissed her ivory skin.

Sara looked up and caught my eye. Her look was pure resentment. She had almost the same experience with me and Beverly.

“You have to get her out of here, Cass,” Sara spoke in a hushed tone.

“I know.” I mouthed back. Tears were burning my eyes, but I couldn’t let them fall. I had to be strong for her.

Sara slid her hand down Sabrina’s legs and moved to unbuckle her shoes. She was so tender about it. I knew Sara still loved me in a way that was unsaid. She was always there to pick up the pieces of my life, when they would tumble down.

Sabrina was still trembling and sobbing into my chest. I shrugged off my jacket and draped it around her shoulders. “Where are her clothes, Sara?”

“My office. I’ll come with you.”

I picked her up. “Bre, honey, just keep your head in my chest. I’m getting you out of here.”

I descended the stairs and thanked God that there were strict confidentiality and no cell phone policies in the club, or this would be already hitting the tabloids. Sara walked a few steps in front of me and shooed people back onto the dance floor. I turned the corner to head to Jon’s office. I stopped and looked behind me. The red and blue lights of the police were flashing through the open doorway at the back door of the club. I leaned over and kissed Sabrina’s hair. Jon walked out of the main office and flashed me a small smile. I took it as his sign that everything is in order with Beverly.

Sara had already made it to his office and was waiting at the doorway to help me. Walking in, I set Sabrina on a small pink couch at the far end of the room. She was in shock. All she did was stare off into space. I cradled her face in my hands and kissed her.

I stepped back to give Sara room. She had Sabrina’s clothes. “Go make sure everything is settled with Jon. I’ll get her ready to go.”

“Thank you, Sara.”

Turning to walk out of the room, I grabbed my phone from my pocket and dialed Terrance.

“Terrance, have you heard?”

“Yes, sir, what are the next steps?”

“Police are here now. I am going to meet up with Jon. I am filing a restraining order against her for Sabrina and myself. I want all of the locks changed on everything of mine.”

“Yes, sir.” I heard him scribbling notes down as he was driving.

“Has Dad called yet?”

“No, sir, he hasn’t.”

Jon walked up to me. I held out my hand for him to hold his thought.

“Ugh, I do not want to hear him fly off the handle about this. Anyway, please call all security personnel at my companies to update them on the events of tonight and a little background on why we are taking such serious measures.”

“On it. I’m also on my way to come pick you and Ms. Bennett up.”

“Thank you, Terrance.”

Ending my call, I turn to Jon.

“Police are ready for you to sign the paperwork,” he said.

I squeezed his arm. “Thanks. Is she still fuming from her ears?”

“Oh God, she is flipping out in the back of that squad car.”

“Dad?”

“He didn’t even know she was here. He is furious. After the other incident, she wasn’t supposed to come here for a few weeks.” Jon said as we walked to the front entrance. “At least, that is what she promised me, anyways.” He added under his breath.

Signing all the paperwork took longer than I wanted to be away from Sabrina, but I needed to assure her security.

“Are we done yet?” I asked, annoyed.

The police officer nodded, and I spun on my heels to run back to her.

Sara was just closing the door to the office, as I made my way down the hall. “What’s wrong?” I yelled.

She put her finger up to her lips to quiet me. “She fell asleep on the couch. You have to tell her, Cass. If she really is the one, she needs to know.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I know, I know.”

Sara grabbed my other hand and gave it a squeeze. “Everything will be okay. You’ll see.”

“I sure hope so. I can’t lose her.”

She stood with me and a few tears fell from my eyes. I took a deep breath. Squeezing Sara’s hand again, I let myself into the office. I had to get away from her before I really lost it.

Shutting the door behind me, I slid to the floor with my knees up and ran my hands through my hair. The flood gates burst, I cried like I haven’t done since I was a child, since the day I was taken from my mom.

I’m so comfy that I don’t want to wake up. Stretching out in bed, I feel around and Caston isn’t with me. Panicking, I sit straight up in bed, immediately awake. An instant migraine hits me, and I fall back to the pillow clutching my head. “Oh my God, what did I do last night?” I say out loud to no one in particular.

I feel the bed dip next to me, and I peak through one eye to see Caston, holding out a glass of water and some pills. “Take these,” he says quietly, so not to irritate my headache.

I reach out to grab the items and my hand brushes Caston’s in the process. The tingle that goes up my arm, sends a shiver down my spine. The spark between us is undeniable, but if Beverly cannot leave me alone I won’t be able to stay.

Caston moves closer to me and pulls me into his lap. His rhythmic stroking of my hair behind my ear slowly eases my pain, taking it away. Having him close makes me fall into a deep sleep.

SMACK. My head flings to the side, spinning me around. “You fucking bitch. I told you, I wanted my laundry done.”

I catch myself on the bed. Damn. I overslept and forgot to get the chores done, again. Slowly turning around, I sit down casting my eyes downward, trying to not provoke him anymore than he already is. “I’m sorry, Mark.” I whisper.

He throws the laundry basket at me. I catch it just before it hits me in the face. I see him coming at me and before I can move he kicks me in both shins. I fall off the bed over the basket. The pain. I whimper.

“Fucking bitch, get up!”

I try to stand, but immediately fall again. The pain is awful. I glance down to my legs. The bruises are already showing. How long will these last? I’ve already missed school for other injuries. I close my eyes and will myself to stand. The pain is excruciating. I pick up the basket, holding it in front of me to protect my stomach, since I haven’t told him about the baby yet. I have to wait for the right moment, when Mark isn’t this worked up.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, anyway?” he screams. “Do you have the fucking flu? You have been sick for weeks, and look like shit. How am I supposed to take you places?”

A tear runs down my cheek as I think about the ultrasound picture in my purse. I just shake my head. “I’m not sure. I guess just sick. I’m sorry.”

I try to get by him to go do the laundry, so he does not see me break down. Thankfully, he lets me pass. As soon as I reach the hall, I sink to the floor and burst into tears. Oh God, why?

Finally, composing myself, I hobble to the laundry room in the basement. Broc is sitting on the folding table with his headphones on. I try to sneak past him, so he doesn’t notice me.