Free Amber Alert (Amber Alert Series Book 1) by Sara Schoen Page B

voice was cold and harsh. "What do you want?"
    "What's going on?"
    "Don't you remember? You're not like the other girls, so I don't know anything about what's going on. I can't help you, mom. " He knew I hated when he called me that. Could he put our argument aside for a few seconds?
    "That's not funny, Garrett! What's going on?"
    "Kelly!" The sound of his angry voice sent a wave of panic through my body.
    "You better answer him," Garrett said closing his door slowly so it wouldn't make a sound. I forced myself to run back to my room, so I could stay out of his line of sight.
    "Kelly! Answer me!"
    "Yes?" I asked quietly, hoping he wouldn't hear me.
    "Where are you?"
    "My room," I said with a shaky voice. All of my hope faded from me as I saw his foot come into the room followed by his body and head.
    "Where is dinner?" he asked as he grabbed my arm, forcing me up from the bed, and getting inches from my face
    "I haven't made it yet," I said honestly.
    "You've been slacking, Kelly. For almost two months now your chores have gone undone. In fact, I don't think you've done anything since you came back home! What's wrong? Have I not given you enough time? Have I not given you enough love?" I watched as his eyes started to travel my body. Garrett had given me jeans and long sleeves to wear for the colder months, but I knew that wouldn’t stop Steve.
    He took my face in his hands and held me in front of him. He planted a sloppy kiss on my lips. When he finally pulled away, I could see the lust filling his eyes. If I didn't say something right away, this was going to get out of hand and I would be used again.
    "No, I've had plenty of love. Thank you for showing you love me," I forced out as he pressed me against the wall.
    "Then what is it? Because I can't ignore that you've been skipping your duties any longer. You're supposed to be a good wife, and good wives have dinner ready when their husbands come home, and at least have the house clean."
    "Good wife?"
    "Yes, a good wife. The rules, Kelly, you know them, right?" he asked angrily, his voice became darker, more aggressive. The rules were the law here, I knew them by heart and it sickened me to admit it.
    "Yes, I do..."
    "Good, now you better start following them, or I'll have to give you a lesson..." Steve released me from his hold and pushed himself away before walking out of my small concrete room. "Get dinner started, Kelly! I want it done by the time I'm out of the shower."
    I stood, stunned for a moment I had come out of his hold without an attempt to force me out of my clothes. Steve had come in here, kissed me, started to have his way with me again, and then stopped when I said good wife.
    "A good wife. That's what I need to be." I felt a smile curl at the corners of my lips. This one could actually work for both Garrett and me. We could both make it out alive if it worked. "I can do that."
    "Do what?" Garrett asked, as he suddenly reappeared at my doorway again. Amazingly, it didn’t bother me that he acted like nothing just happened, or that he ditched me when I needed him most. I understood that Garrett was protecting himself, that's how he survived in this house. It was smart, but I needed to convince him that I was worth protecting, too. Couldn't he feel what I was feeling?
    "Be a good wife."
    Garrett furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and anger. "You're giving up? You're just going to give him whatever he wants?"
    "He raped me," I said bluntly, even though it made Garrett cringe. "He has what he wanted."
    "You think he won't do it again?" Garrett’s anger gave him away. He felt something for me, and he was furious that I was giving up.
    "I'm sure he will, but not if I behave. I'm not giving up, I'm fighting my way out by being the wife he truly wants." I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. The action shocked him, but his tension dissolved, and for a moment, I knew I had someone else to fight for.
    How so?" he asked.
    "You'll just