Oh, no. Oh no no no.
“Well, by the sounds of it, that’s a lovely service you’re holding for the lord in there. Was it James? I believe that’s what she said—or screamed.”
“And you are?”
“Oh, she’s expecting me.” He speaks loud enough to make sure I can hear him from where I hide in the bedroom. “Her lovely mother asked me to come check in on her. Name’s Ronnie.”
I step out as he’s offer Jamie his hand, glad to see James doesn’t take it.
“There she is. You should think about joining the choir, Alexis. You’ve got a beautiful singing voice.”
“It’s not what you think.” I bolt into the room, standing between the door and James.
“Darlin, I am sixty-six years old, and I’m not dumb. Your mother said you might have had some unsavory company loitering nearby.” My stepfather looks me up and down, pausing at my bare legs and again at my chest. I quickly cross my arms, instantly regretting not putting pants and a bra on before coming out here. “Guess I can tell her all I found was you being brought to your knees and worshiping in God’s name.” He nods to James. “And also his.”
“What? No, I?—”
“I told her she was riding you too hard; all I see here is this upstanding young man whose shirt you appear to be wearing. I take it today is laundry day?” He reaches out with a grin, touching the sleeve. I cringe, feeling his finger slide along my arm. I’m certain James can’t see it from where he is, so I stay still and say nothing. I don’t need James getting in trouble, and Ronnie is clearly trying to bait him. “I do wish your mother sang as pretty as you do.”
“Lex?” James’s hand is on my lower back, and I lean against it.
“James, this, uhm, this is my stepfather, Ronnie.”
“James, the coworker? Ah, yes. You met my lovely wife the other night. She told me about you, but I can’t blame a man for working so hard on the weekend. Especially when the work dress code is so…distracting.”
“Ronnie, I don’t?—”
“You joining us this afternoon, darlin’?” I cringe at the name. From James, it’s soft and sweet. Ronnie’s voice is like old motor oil. He makes it clear he wasn’t planning on listening to anything I had to say. “The board sure is looking forward to seeing what you’ve made for us. They told me to ask real nice since they know I can make you come.”
“The fuck did you say?” James tries to move past me, but I block him, shaking my head.
“Oh, he’s a bit jumpy, isn’t he?” Ronnie winks at James before leering at me. “You should join us later today. There’s someone very special I’d like you to meet.”
James tenses even more, and I know he’s ready to snap.
“I told Mother I would be there like we planned. I’ve already emailed her all the designs, and I’m sure she’s shown you.” I stare at the floor, avoiding looking at him. “I will be there when the meeting starts, but why are you here?”
“Well, I’m here to protect my precious little girl, of course. And introduce myself like a proper gentleman to the man who’s brought you to your knees and put a bit more than prayer in that pretty little mouth of yours.”
“What the fuck is your problem?” James tries to step toward him again, but I stand firm and thread my hand into his, squeezing hard.
“Calm down, son. Complimenting your technique is all. Perhaps next Sunday you could give us a live demonstration? Get her to sing like that in front of the whole church?”
“Daddy,” I wince as I spit the word out. I hate calling him that, but I know it will make him happy, and he’ll leave us alone if I do. He’ll think I’m giving in to him, which is exactly what he wants. In a way, I am. “Please, go home. I’ll be at the meeting later.”
His grin is as wicked as he is, and his eyes have gone dark like his soul. “That’s my good girl; all sugar and no spice. You’re going to love the surprise I have for you tonight. I promise.”
“Goodbye.”
I close the door and breathe a sigh of relief as I turn the deadbolt, letting my head fall to the cool wood.
“Shit. I thought your mom was bad.” James is enveloping me in his arms and pressing his lips to my temple. “Angel, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” the response is weak, and I’m not really listening to what he’s asking. I’m too busy shaking. I think I’m going to be sick.
“Alexis, I don’t only mean right now, at this minute.” He lets me go and turns me around to caress my face, tipping my head back so I meet his gaze. “Angel, has he touched you? Ever.”
“No!” I answer too quickly, dropping my head back down. “Well, not…it’s complicated. He makes passes all the time when my Mother isn’t around—sometimes when she is—he holds my hand too long, stares, things he can easily pass off as innocent gestures. He hasn’t tried anything beyond that in a while. He’s never talked to me like that when someone else was around, though. No one but Mother.” I’m biting back tears at this point. I hate lying. I should be used to this one by now.
