PROLOGUE

VIRGINIA POV

I have always believed that my life was supposed to be on a different path.  Since I can remember, I have felt out of place in this world.  My mom always supported whatever beliefs that I had.  We had a very close bond, that was until I turned sixteen.  I never knew who my father was, he was never in the picture and my mom never talked about him.  It had always just been the two of us.  When I was eight, my mom met my now stepfather, Neil Carrington.  At first, he was awesome, always treated my mom wonderfully and included me in almost everything they did.  We had road trips, adventures, family meals. It felt like an actual family...finally.  So when Neil asked my mom to marry him and asked for my permission, I jumped at the chance to have someone in my life I would be able to call dad.

Unfortunately, I was unprepared for how wrong I was about Neil and his intentions. About six months after my mom and Neil married, she was on her way back from a business trip with the company she worked for.  She worked as a traveling Pharmaceutical Representative for Titanium Pharmaceuticals.  She had been gone about five days and was trying to hurry back home for my birthday, which she promised not to miss.  It was my sweet 16th and she had a special surprise for me.  I was super excited for her to return but worried about when she was traveling.  I always had an uneasy feeling while she was gone and it would not go away until she was home safe and sound.  I have learned to listen to my feelings, kind of like animal instincts.  Normally, the uneasiness would just be a dull ache unless something was really wrong, but that rarely happened.

I woke up from a terrible nightmare covered in a cold sweat.  My heart was pounding out of my chest and the uneasiness just felt more real than the dull ache.  My nightmare felt so real, like an omen of what is about to come, I just couldn't shake it.  I tried my hardest to push down those terrible thoughts but failed miserably.  I quickly grabbed my phone off of my nightstand and called my mom to talk to her. I just needed to hear her voice to help me calm down.

She picked up on the second ring.  "Hello?  Rae-Rae are you okay? You don't normally call me this early in the morning." 

I could hear the concern in her voice.  I quickly cleared my throat.  "Sorry, I just wanted to hear your voice, especially after the nightmare I just had!  When will you start heading home?"  I couldn't help the tremor in my voice.

There was a short pause before my mom spoke again.  "I will be heading to O'Hare International Airport in about an hour, then the flight will take roughly about three hours. I should be home in time for your birthday dinner."

I smiled at that despite the unshakable feeling I still have.  I just hope that I am being paranoid.  "Okay mom, I will let you go and can't wait to see you later.  Have a safe drive and flight.  I love you."

Mom just chuckled. "I love you too, Rae-Rae."  With that she hung up the phone.

My smile started to fade and then disappeared all together when I heard Neil moving around downstairs.  Mom doesn't know this, but lately I have been getting a weird feeling when I am around him.  When he looks at me he has an almost predatory look in his eyes that just set my nerves on edge.  He keeps his wondering gaze in check when mom is around, but when she isn't, he openly ogles me and I stay holed up in my room until she comes back just to keep my distance from him.  I used to go and hang out with my friends but that came to a stop when he insisted on being present.  He said that it was for my protection since I was just a young teenager and there were predators out there in the world just waiting for the opportunity to pounce on an unsuspecting teenage girl.  

I thought his reasoning was a load of crap and, clearly, my friends had the same thoughts but they went along with it just so we could all hang out together.  The first couple of times, we all just kind of ignored Neil, but by the third time, he started to make Paulette, Mandy and Cheyenne very uncomfortable with his behavior towards them.  He would find excuses to touch them all the time, he would make passive-aggressive comments towards them when they saw boys from school.  They just couldn't take it anymore, so all we do now is text or face-time when we aren't at school.  We had the majority of our classes together, so it wasn't so bad. Now the only one he made uncomfortable was me.

I quickly showered and was in my closet looking for something nice to wear that wouldn't show too much skin, so Neil wouldn't find an excuse to stare at me.  I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear my bedroom door open or hear the footsteps of Neil walking to where I was.  I had already put my towel into the hamper just inside of my closet as I always do, so I was completely naked.  I had just grabbed a cute light blue blouse that came down to just above my belly button.  As I bent down to get a pair of black low-rise boot-cut jeans, I heard someone clear their throat behind me.

I spun around and gasped to find Neil staring at me from the doorway of my closet.  He didn't hide the lust evident in his eyes.  He licked his lips as his heated gaze ran up and down my body.  The look alone gave me the creeps and the atmosphere made my skin prickle with goosebumps.

"NEIL! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?!"  I screamed at him as I tried to hide my naked flesh from his gaze.  He had NEVER done something like this before, so I was utterly shocked at his audacity.

He smirked at me.  "I came to see if you wanted to go out for breakfast since today is your...special day."  I didn't miss the underlying message from him.

My heart started to pound in my chest.  "Neil, you could have waited until I headed downstairs to ask me.  You need to leave my room...NOW!"  I calmly said, trying to keep the fear at bay.

He continued to stand in the doorway, staring at me.  He looked like he was contemplating on what his next move would be before he moved to my bedroom door.  "Fine, I apologize for making you uncomfortable.  I was just trying to do something nice for my...stepdaughter!" 

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.  He always had a way to make me feel guilty for my actions.  I heaved a heavy sigh.  "Just give me ten minutes to get dressed, then we can go get breakfast, and NEVER come into my room without permission!"

He walked out of my room and I quickly slammed the door and locked it.  I decided that I HAD to tell my mom about this,. It was highly inappropriate for him to do that.  I took a little extra time getting dressed to get my nerves under control.  When I reached downstairs, Neil was already waiting by the front door with his car keys in hand.  He looked at me, appreciating my outfit.  "Are you ready?"

I involuntarily shuddered.  "Just put my converse on, then my jacket."  I quickly say without looking at him.  I can feel his eyes on my every movement.  Once my jacket and shoes are on, I finally look at him.  "Okay, I am ready to go."

He opens the door and stands behind, waiting for me to exit the house first.  Normally, I wouldn't be hesitant, but the mischievous look in his eyes gave me pause.  "After the birthday girl."

I quickly walked passed him while plastering a tense smile on my face.  "Thank you."  As I near him he managed to place his hand on my lower back, making me bristle at the contact.  I quickly stepped away from his touch and headed down the stairs to his black Ford Raptor truck.  As I neared it, I heard the clicking of the lock being disengaged.  I quickly opened the passenger's side and climbed into the seat and buckled up as he reached the driver's side.

We say nothing as we pull out of the driveway.  I have no idea where we are going and I really don't want to talk to him so I just look out the window until we arrive at our destination.

"Here we are."  Neil says as he exits the truck.

I looked around and realized he was taking me to my favorite place to eat. I-HOP!  I love the breakfast options, and on the other hand, Neil can't do anything inappropriate due to all the eyes around him!  I smiled to myself as I exited the truck and followed him into the building.

The hostess eyed us as we were seated. Well, she eyed Neil more than bat an eye at me.  He shamelessly flirted with her, then quickly stopped when he saw that I was glaring at him.  She noticed the interaction as she handed us the menus.  "Sorry, I know that he was taken."  She quietly whispered to me.

I looked at her with utter disgust on my face.  "My STEPFATHER was just trying to be polite, I am sure."  I couldn't help but emphasize that he was my stepfather and nothing else.

As she scurried away from the table, I saw Neil leer at her ass as she practically ran away, then he turned to glare at me.  I looked at him with an eyebrow raised, daring him to make a scene.

He looked away and pretended to scan the menu.  I rolled my eyes and did the same.  I always get the same thing, it's my comfort food and, since today has been challenging to start with, I could use some comfort.

A young woman came up to our table.  "Hello, my name is Maggie and I will be your waitress.  Can I get either of you something to drink while you look at the menu?"

I smiled at the very innocent looking young woman.  She looks to be no more than nineteen, with jet black hair and piercing blue eyes, rosy cheeks and olive skin tone.  Her hair was thrown into a messy bun on the top of her head.  She reminds me so much of my best friend Cheyenne.  "I will have an unsweetened iced tea, thank you."

She nods her head in acknowledgement as she faces Neil.  "And you sir?"

"Sweetheart, I will just have a coffee."  He lays the flirting on thick.

"I will be right back with your drinks."  She smiled as she walked away.

I decided not to comment on his  behavior. It is my birthday after all.  I go back to looking out the window and wonder how my friends are doing.  I haven't spoken to them since yesterday at school.  I am pulled out of my thoughts as Neil's words  shock me.

"So I don't think your mother should know about what happened in your room earlier."

I turned to look at him and saw that he was still staring at the menu.  "And why should I NOT tell her?"  I can't believe the nerve of this man!

He slowly puts the menu down and turns his unwavering gaze at me.  "Well, do you think that she will believe you anyway?  I mean you just turned sixteen, your hormones are reeking havoc on your emotional state and I think that your mom deserves to be happy since she works so much!"

I am now openly gaping at him as his words try to make sense in my brain.  Did he really just blatantly say that I  am emotionally unstable?!  I was just about to yell at him when Maggie, our waitress, arrived with our drinks.

"Here are your drinks. Have you guys decided on what you want to eat?"  She asks as she sets my iced tea in front of me and his coffee in front of him.

I was about to get up and walk out but before I could do anything, Neil spoke.  "My dear, sweet step-daughter will have a Ham and Cheese omelette, extra ham and cheese, add mushrooms, a side of bacon and pancakes.  I will have the Steak and Eggs, medium rare and over easy on the eggs with a side of bacon as well and A-1 Sauce please."  He smiled at Maggie.  She was just about to leave when he spoke again.  "Oh and Maggie, can you tell the cooks to make hers extra special since it's her birthday today?"

She grinned widely at that.  "Absolutely sir."  She then looked at me.  "You are so lucky to have a dad like that!"

I was completely speechless!  What the hell just happened?!

He smirked and had this cocky look on his face as he leaned back in his chair.  "So, Ginny, what are you going to do?"

I hate the nickname he gave me.  "My name is Virginia, not Ginny, and I will not be blackmailed into not telling my mother!"  I was seething at that point.  We sat in a tense silence until our food arrived.

Maggie smiled at us.  "Enjoy your meal and please let me know if there is anything that I can get you."

"Thank you."  I may be in a bad mood but her smile had a calming affect on me. She was definitely made for this job!  I made a mental note to leave her a generous tip.  I may only be sixteen, but I am not blind to needing to work for what you need.  My mom was a single parent for almost a decade and never complained once!

I looked down at my food as she left and considered whether I wanted to attempt to eat or take it to go when my phone rang.  I looked at the caller ID, hoping it was mom.  I tried to hide the look of disappointment from my face but noticed that Neil saw it.  His smirk was growing as he shoved a slab of steak into his mouth.  I ignored him as I answered the call.  "Hello ladies!"  I tried to put on an air of joy in my voice as the voices of my besties greeted me.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BITCH!"  Cheyenne all but screamed through the phone.

I could hear Paulette's voice coming on the phone.  "Sorry about Chey, she has already been celebrating your birthday!"

I look at the time and noticed it was only 10:00 AM!  "Pauly, why has she been drinking this early?" 

She snorted through the phone.  "What are you talking about? She started last night!"

"Oh my, what the hell Chey!"  I said more to myself.  I could hear muffled shouts, then Mandy's bubbly voice rang in my ears. 

"Happy birthday Rae-Rae!"

I chuckled to myself.  "Thank you guys."

"Did you wanna hang out today?"  Many asked hesitantly.

I sighed. "I would love to but mom arrives tonight, so I want to be home when she arrives."

"Oh yeah, I completely forgot!  Well, we love you and say hi to mom for us."

I smiled.  "I love you guys too and I will.  Take care and, for the love of my sanity, please get some coffee into that girl!"

I hear laughter in the background, then chaos.  "Sorry got to go, Chey is now streaking up and down the hallway!"

I hear the click and laugh to myself as I put my phone back into my jacket pocket.  I love my crazy friends, they always know how to brighten my day!  I decide that I should eat something as my stomach makes its presence known by loudly growling.  I ignored the weird looks from the other patrons of the restaurant.  I savor the first bite of my omelette then proceed to inhale the rest and most of my bacon.  When I got to the pancakes, I was too full to even take one bite, so I got a to-go box.

Maggie arrives with a box in her hands and gives it to me, then gives the check to Neil.

I looked at her confused.  "I already have my to-go box."

She smiles at me.  "This is your birthday dessert."  She grabs his credit card and heads to the register to pay for the meal.

I know that he never tips, so I left a $10 bill on the table for her and thanked her for her service.  I didn't even wait for Neil to finish paying for the meal as I headed to the truck.  I am still livid with him and just want to go home and wait for mom to arrive.

Once we are in the truck and on our way home, he tries to talk to me, but I just ignore him by putting my earbuds into my ears and turning up the music on my phone to drown him out.  As I am listening to Fallout Boys, the uneasy feeling comes back ten fold and wont go away.  As we get near to our home, my stomach is churning so badly that I am afraid that I will vomit right there in the truck.  I opened the door and ran up to the front door before the truck came to a complete stop.

"What the hell!"

I don't stop to pay Neil any mind as I unlock the door and fly up to my bedroom and straight into the bathroom.  I barely make it to the toilet before my breakfast reintroduces itself to me.  Once I am sure there is no more to throw up, I peel my clothes off and head to the shower.  I get in and let the hot water just soak into my body.  I really need to pull myself together.  I may just be paranoid for no reason.  Mom should be on the plane on her way here and when she lands she always calls me to let me know she will be departing from the airport.  I decide to take a nap while I wait for her phone call.

I dried myself off and put on a tank top and a pair of shorts and crawled under my comforter.  I have had an emotional day so far and it's only noon!  Within seconds of my head hitting the pillow, I am asleep.  I dream of darkness and terror.  It feels like only seconds that I have been asleep when I am awoken to my phone ringing.

I slowly blink, slightly confused, before reality hits me and I dive for my phone that is still in my jacket pocket.  I see that mom is calling.  "Hi mom!"  I say slightly breathless.

I can hear her laughter.  "Don't tell me you were sleeping!"

I scoff at being caught.  "Would I really be sleeping this late in the day?!"  I lie.

She laughed harder.  "Well, I was just calling to let you know that I should be home in about an hour. I love you and Happy Birthday,honey."

I smiled slightly, not able to shake the growing dread.  This is so weird, why can't I get rid of this feeling? "I love you too mom and please drive safe."

"I will and I'll see you in about an hour."  She hangs up the phone and I decide to distract myself, so I get dressed into a pair of sweats and head down stairs. I  head to the living room and sit on the couch and turn on the big flat screen Neil splurged on last year.  I didn't know what I wanted to watch, so I put on Criminal Minds and lay down to try and relax.

I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep until I was jarred awake with the feeling that something was terribly wrong.  I look at the time on my phone and realize that mom is way overdue.  She was supposed to arrive home an hour and, half ago.  "Hey, Neil, did mom call to say if she was going to be late?"

I am met with silence, weird.  I go and look for him. I started with the kitchen but he wasn't in there.  I go to his bedroom and nope, not there either, so I finally arrive at his study.  I lightly knocked on the door and waited for an answer.  I am about to knock again when the door is flung open.  "What do you want, Ginny?"

I cringe at the nickname and realize that he has been drinking and from the smell of the whiskey on his breath he's been drinking a while now.  "I was wondering if you have heard from mom?  She was supposed to be here a while ago."

He scoffs at me.  "Don't you think that you are being a little overbearing?  She is an adult and can be as late as she wants!"  He goes to shut the door but pauses then turns toward me again.  "Of course you could always hang out with me...if you are bored!"

I don't like the look in his eyes and the closeness of his body to me.  I was about to politely decline when there was a knock at the front door.

He rolled his eyes.  "Oh goody, she must have forgotten her key, see you were being paranoid for nothing!"

I just turned and headed towards the door. The knock was louder this time.  The dread and fear are running rampant throughout me as I reach for the lock and open the door.  I was met by two men dressed in business suits and black trench coats.  One is maybe 6'6" with short blonde curly hair and icy blue eyes and a chiseled jawline.  The other is maybe 5'10" with spiky dark brown hair and warm chocolate brown eyes and tan skin.

The giant one held his hand out to me.  "Good evening, may we speak to the two of you inside?"

I was speechless for a moment, then realized that Neil was a little too close behind me.  He reaches from behind me to clasp his out-stretched hand.  I quickly stepped aside so I was not within Neils' reach as easily as I was.

"Please excuse my stepdaughter, she has no manners sometimes."  Neil lays his charm on nice and thick.  "Please come inside, would either of you like some coffee or water?"

I just rolled my eyes at him as I stepped away from the door and followed both men into the kitchen.  Neil, the oh so gracious host!  It's almost laughable the way he acts lately.  As he does his host thing, I eye both men suspiciously as my fear that something has happened increases.  I can't keep my curiosity at bay so I can't help but ask.  "Who are you guys and why are you here?"

Spiky Guy clears his throat.  "I am Detective Dan Stevens and this is my partner, Detective Ian Williams.  Do either of you know a woman by the name of Betsy Carrington?"

My fear intensifies as I hear Neil reply.  "Yes, she is my wife and her mother.  Why do you ask?"  I can't believe the calmness in his voice, just like it's any other day.

Detective Williams spoke this time.  "Well, we regret to inform you that she has been involved in a tragic fatal accident."

My heart stops as the word "fatal" slams into my mind!  NO no no no, this can't be happening!  "Please don't tell me that she is the one that died!  I looked at both men pleadingly.

Detective Stevens looks at me with pity.  "I am sorry."

Neil walks to his study and comes back with the half empty bottle of whiskey that he has been drinking.  "What happened?"

"Mr. Carrington, I don't think that your daughter needs to be present for this,"  Detective Stevens says.

"She is my STEP-daughter and it's up to her if she wants to leave or not."  Neil didn't hide the irritation in his voice.

I simply stared at him, surprised at his words and tone.  Who the hell is this man?! I shake my head and push away that thought, there are more pressing matters at hand.  "No, I NEED to hear this!"  As much as I don't want to, I know that I have to.

Detective Williams comes over to me and places his hand gently on my shoulder.  "Are you sure you want to hear this, sweety?"

I hesitated briefly before gulping down my fear.  "I don't WANT to, I NEED to hear this for my own sanity!"

"How old are you?"  Detective Stevens asks.

"I am sixteen...today sir."  I said in barely an audible whisper, wrapping my arms around me.

They both looked at each other before looking back at me.  "Sorry we have to ruin your birthday, sweety."

I nod but wait patiently for them to continue, bracing myself for the information I am about to be told.

"It appears that your mother left the airport, presumably on her way here, when she was struck on the driver's side by a semi truck.  The driver of the truck was suspended from operating his rig due to a DUI a few months ago.  He was drunk when he swerved into her lane, apparently not seeing her.  She was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the truck died at the hospital due to a lacerated spleen."

My mind and body go numb.  I am having a very hard time processing everything that has been said.  I go to sit on the couch, lost in my grief.  I am unaware that both Detective Williams and Detective Stevens have already left. I was also not even aware that Neil had entered the living room until his voice startled me.

"Well, it looks like I don't have to worry about your mom finding out about my intentions towards you anymore!"

I stare at him with utter shock and fear on my face as he slowly nears me, like a predator sizing up his prey.  Happy fucking birthday to me!  I have a feeling that my life is about to become even more difficult!  Yep my name is Virginia Rae Elliot and welcome to the hell that is my life!