Reaching Rachel by L.L. Collins Page B

Justin sneered. “I think we’ve readjusted our roles in this relationship. See, I’m the one in charge here from now on. I’ll tell you what’s going to happen, and you are going to comply. Because,” Justin paused, touching her bruised and battered face, “we don’t want this beautiful face messed up any more than it already is. I would hate for you to have permanent damage from the lessons you need to learn.” He reached over and kissed her lips gently. “See, we have a good thing here, Rach, you and me. And now that you understand , things will only get better. Don’t you agree?”
    Rachel blinked, staring at him like the alien he seemed to be. He really thought that she was going to go along with this? But as stubborn as she was, she knew that if she didn’t placate him now, she would never get out of here to go to the cops. “I understand, Justin,” she whispered.
    He grinned, wrapping his arms around her. “Well, that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. I love you, Rachel, and I’m sorry for what I had to do. But, you had to learn the rules. I get it, you haven’t been in a relationship in a long time, so you don’t understand how to be in one. I’m going to help you with that.” Justin stepped back, looking her body up and down. “I’m going to get you some medicine for the pain, and then we are going to get reacquainted. Lay down, and I’ll be right back.”
    Rachel looked at him, wondering how she was going to get to her phone fast enough when he left the room. She didn’t even know if it was in here.
    He looked back at her before he left the room. “I know you wouldn’t do something as dumb as try to contact anyone, so I have your phone. Since you learned your lesson and all.” He shut the door behind him, leaving her staring the door and wondering what in the hell just happened.
    Hearing the front door and then his truck a moment later, she got up gently and looked out the window. He was leaving. Now was her chance to get the hell out of here. He had her phone, so calling anyone was out of the question. If he was as smart as she assumed, he had also taken her car keys. She wondered idly if anyone was on the beach that would help her, but quickly dismissed that idea. She looked awful and would probably just freak everyone out.
    “How did this happen,” she cried out, easing herself on the edge of the bed. “I’m so stupid, so so stupid. I should’ve seen this coming the night he grabbed me at the restaurant.” But she knew that nothing could’ve prepared her for what he had done.
    Making a quick decision, she stood up gingerly and found a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. The pain of changing almost caused her to pass out. She knew she had a few broken ribs and probably a concussion. She looked around in vain for her purse—she knew he had it.
    Walking gingerly to the door, she looked carefully outside to see if he was coming down the street. Not seeing him, she opened the door and stepped onto the front porch. Maneuvering carefully down the steps, she looked around to see if she could see anyone around that she may be able to ask for help. This was the downside to living in her parent’s beach house. Most of the other houses around her were only rentals, so you never really knew anyone around.
    Standing at the end of the driveway, her heart stopped when she saw his truck headed down the street. Shit . She had to get inside before he saw her, or God only knew what he might do. Trying her hardest to walk fast, tears of pain pricked her eyes. Her head was pounding, her ribs ached, and her face felt like a balloon with too much air in it.
    She practically ran up the steps, even though doing it caused black spots to dance in front her eyes. She had one goal and that was to make it inside. Pushing through it, she swung open the door and collapsed on the couch. Sweat coursed down her chest from just those few minutes of exertion. The room was spinning. But she had made it.
    The