Chapter 18

HOPE

I felt my heartrate spike and I felt a little dizzy. Nicco held me and whispered into my ear.

“Breathe, Hope. It’s okay. We can take it slow.” His voice rumbled in his chest and I clung to him, letting the rumble soothe me. I put my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Mine slowed to match his. “Tell me the story, Hope,” Nicco said, his voice almost purring.

I took a moment, then began speaking.

“I got this scar the day I left. I had been beaten the night before by my stepdad and I was locked in the basement. That was usual. I heard the front door open, and heard a guy come in. I recognized his voice. It was a guy who liked to beat me. He liked it even more when I fought back. After a session with him, I was usually pretty bloody for a day or two.”

I took a deep breath. This next part wasn’t pretty.

“I knew my stepdad was going to come for me. A few days before this day I had stolen a steak knife from the kitchen and hid it in my things. When I hea