Free Blacklisted by Maria Delaurentis

Anything to distract me from this.
    I snapped out of my vivid memories as I focused in on the scene that was suddenly in front of me. Genovese was standing with his foot pressed on Michael's neck; I could see he was having a hard time breathing. I didn’t know if I had blacked out, or been knocked out—but nothing was familiar anymore. You came for me, I realized, before looking around quickly, knowing I had to get Michael free from him. My eyes widened when they fell on a knife nearby. I scrambled towards it and wrapped my hands around the handle, getting up on my knees and blindly stabbing at my newest captor.
    "AH FUCK!" Genovese screamed as the blade found his thigh. He growled and spun around, backhanding me hard enough to throw my body to the ground.
    "You insolent little bitch, I'm going to knock some respect into you later." He glared at me, the blood dripping down his pant leg.
    I spit in his direction, my eyes blazing as I noticed Michael stirring behind him.
    "You'll never make me respect you, you're just a sick old man who can't get a girl on his own, so you have to kidnap them and pay them off," I snapped, sliding away from him slowly.
    "Oh is that it? You little slut." He marched towards me, reaching over to grab me until the sound of a gunshot filled the air. His body collapsed next to mine and he wheezed, reaching behind to clutch at his back.
    I watched Michael stand up slowly, walking towards his body with purpose. The shot had pierced through Genovese's lower back, possibly paralyzing him from how close to his spine it was. Michael eyed me for a moment, causing me to move back more as he flipped Genovese onto his back, smirking as he groaned in pain.
    "Now, old man. As I promised; I'd like to make you pay for what you've done. Especially to Brie," he growled.
    "Brie, go to the bedroom and close the door. Put the TV on," he ordered. For once, I didn't question it. I quickly got to my feet, and ran to the bedroom, slamming the door behind me.
    I idly watched the news, trying to ignore the muffled screaming I heard from the next room. An hour passed before the door opened slowly, Michael walking in.
    "Brie." He said, his voice twisting into a painful expression. "I'm so sorry."
    I flung myself off the bed and ran to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He hugged me to him tightly, his sleeves caked in dry blood.
    "C-can we go back to your place, please?" I asked quietly, tears slipping down my face as the weight of today finally caught up with me. He nodded and reached down, scooping me into his arms. As we exited the room I looked around, expecting to see the body.
    "It's in the kitchen. After I take you home I have to come back here. I have to make this look like a business arrangement gone wrong." His voice was stern, and grim. I nodded slowly, not wanting to talk about it anymore. Once we got downstairs he tucked me into the passenger seat and closed the door, sleep finding me almost instantly.

eight
     
    I awoke to him carrying me into the bathroom, sitting me down on the sink. He leaned over and turned on the bath, checking the temperature. After he was satisfied, he turned back to me and began to peel off what was left of my clothes. His face twisted into an unreadable expression as my skin became exposed, small scratches and forming bruises becoming apparent.
    "Oh, Brie," he choked out, his fingers sliding over my skin slowly. "What did he do to you?" he said quietly, tossing the last article of clothing to the ground. The bruises began at my thighs, small ones from his fingertips digging into me. They curved up to my stomach, my breast, then my shoulders and arms.
    "He didn't rape me; if that's what you're asking," I said quietly, my voice hard. Thankfully, it hadn't gotten that far. But what had happened I wouldn't forget easily. I didn't know how to get past these last few weeks, or why I had so willingly put myself in the line of fire. I should have never agreed to help him. But he couldn't