Pulled(72)
Author: A.L. Jackson

“I’d love to.”

I couldn’t keep from rol ing my eyes. Nicholas was the ultimate charlatan.

Each of us sat at the table and filled our plates.

The mood was surprisingly light, even with Nicholas at the table. Mom and I were on a high because of the week we’d spent together and the smal breakthrough we’d made earlier that evening. Even Nicholas seemed to enjoy himself, adding smal bits to the conversation and acting as if he were a halfway-decent person. Mom had said very little to him the entire week, but with the light climate, she engaged him in easy discourse, chatting about his wel -known love of the game of golf.

“So, how’s work, Nicholas?”

I choked on the wine I’d just tipped into my mouth, forcing it down my throat, suddenly very uncomfortable with the change of subject.

“It’s great, perfect really. You know I’ve been quite successful in the past, but this year we’ve exceeded all our goals.” His face glowed with pride, his eyes gleaming as he told her of the prosperity soon to befal him. “We just landed the largest contract we’ve ever had.”

“God, no. Please,” I silently begged as I twisted the fabric napkin tightly around my fingers in my lap.

Mom smirked, Nicholas oblivious as she

patronized, “Wel , that is quite impressive, Nicholas.” He nodded vigorously, shoving another bite of turkey into his mouth before continuing, “Yeah. It’s this huge medical complex.”

I closed my eyes, praying for him to stop.

“A new oncology center. It’s pretty extravagant—

going to make us a ton of money.”

“Oh, what kind of oncology?” Mom feigned

interest, simply keeping up the conversation, unaware of the trap she was setting for me.

“Mom, please, stop.” I struggled to think of some way to portray the words to her, but nothing would come.

“Breast cancer. Some big shots that came up with some new treatment,” Nicholas sneered, not covering his distaste. “The Montgomerys.”

Mom sputtered, turning swiftly in her seat to look at me. “Daniel?” Her eyes were wide from the impact of the name, growing into sheer panic when she took on my expression. Her throat bobbed, and she swal owed hard as if trying to reel his name back in.

Nicholas froze, momentarily dumbfounded by her words. He looked back and forth between the two of us before understanding dawned on his face.

“And just how to do you know Dr. Montgomery, Peggy?” Nicholas spat, his face red as he glowered at her from across the table.

Her eyes darted to mine, and she quickly shifted them to her lap, saying nothing.

Nicholas jumped to his feet, his hands flat against the table as he leaned forward, his attention now directed to me. “How the f**k do you know Daniel Montgomery?” he growled, seething.

I was going to throw up. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to find some sort of acceptable answer to give him.

He couldn’t find out, not like this.

His fist slammed down on the table, his voice booming. “Tel me!”

I recoiled into the chair, muttering the words into my lap. “He was my baby’s father.”

I didn’t look up until I heard his derisive chuckle.

“Wel isn’t that precious!”

He looked away, rubbing his fingers over his mouth as he gathered his thoughts before turning back to glare at me while speaking to Mom. “Peggy, I think you need to give me a moment with my wife.” I sat rigidly except for my hands that shook uncontrol ably under the table. I stared at the half-eaten plate of food in front of me. I could feel Mom’s eyes burning into me, asking me what to do. I was too terrified to acknowledge her. I felt her give up and rise from her chair, her footsteps soft as she walked from the room. An overwhelming feeling of dread consumed me, my chest convulsing in waves as I tried to hide my fear.

Right then, all I wanted was Daniel. I wanted him to break through the door and save me, to swoop in and rescue me. But above all , I wished I’d just listened to him when he had pleaded with me to leave in the first place. It was so stupid. Now, I’d placed us both in more danger than we ever would have faced otherwise.

I flinched when Nicolas suddenly moved, stalking around the table and grabbing my arm. He dragged me into the kitchen and pushed me up against the wall.

Tears sprung to my eyes, and I fought to hold them back. Showing him weakness was only going to make it worse.

“Suddenly that night makes a whole lot more sense to me. The way you fumbled all over yourself and acted like a complete fool—made me look like a fool.” His hand that restrained my arm pushed further into me, pinning me to the wal as his fingers dug into the skin. His jaw clenched and his hand traveled from my arm, across my chest, and stopped at the base of my neck. His hold remained light but threatening, his mouth twisting into an evil smirk.

“It would be a shame for something to happen to such a young, promising doctor, wouldn’t it?” His mock concern turned my stomach. My blood ran cold, and my mouth suddenly went dry as the pressure intensified around my neck.

“Besides, do you really think he’d want you? You and your worthless body?”

I could barely speak with the flow of oxygen to my lungs restricted, making it difficult to produce the lie. “He didn’t want me then, why would he want me now?” He cracked a menacing smile, leering at me.

“That’s right.” Both of his hands came to my throat, squeezing, but not enough to completely obstruct the flow of air. It was a warning. His eyes narrowed as he spat through clenched teeth. “I was beginning to think maybe you’d forgotten who you belong to,” he ground out. “Don’t f**k with me, Melanie.”

“Oh my God.” My mother’s gasps echoed over the tile floor of the kitchen, leaving me feeling both relieved and ashamed at having her find me like this.

Reflexively, Nicholas glanced over his shoulder to Mom, his hold around my neck loosening. His attention stayed on her as his grip continued to lessen, until he released me. My body crumbled and landed hard against the floor. He turned to her, his voice hard and without remorse. “I was just reminding your daughter of her place.” He leaned down close to my face, the smell of him making me sick as I gasped for air. “Until death do us part.” His voice lowered as he came in even closer, his mouth pressed into my cheek. “Don’t forget it.” I struggled, forcing out the very thing I wanted to say most. “I hate you.” It was hardly a defense, but I couldn’t go another second without him knowing exactly how I felt about him.