Free Reckless Fear (The Black Vipers #1) by Micki Fredricks Page A

heart shattered into a million pieces. I wanted to lie, to make up some sort of reason why I’d left. Something that would make this all better. But I just couldn't do that to her again, so I spoke the truth.
    “No, I didn’t come back.”
    She straightened herself, wiping the tears from her eyes.
    “Did you ever think about me?”
    “Every day.”
    She covered her mouth with her hand trying to control her emotions but mine were out of control. I wanted to climb out of this damn bed and take her in my arms. I wasn’t sure if I even had the right to try to comfort her from the pain I’d been the one to cause but it wasn’t going to stop me.
    “When I finally figured out you were gone, I died inside. You have no idea the Hell I had to endure after you left.”
    “Sasha.”
    “What?” she snapped.
    “I’m here now and I’m not leaving without you.”
    Her mouth dropped open, a disgusted look crossing her face.
    “Are you for real? Have you had some sort of head trauma? Because I think I’ve made it pretty clear I don’t want you.”
    “It doesn't matter. I will change your mind, or die trying.”
    “Then you’re a dead man,” she said, shaking her head and walking toward the door.
    “I have nothing to lose but time,” I yelled after her. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Sasha
    The steam from my bathwater billowed up, filling the room and fogging the mirrors. I lay perfectly still, staring at the ceiling, praying for something. Clarity maybe?
    I wasn't sure if I wanted him to be gone, or take me in his arms and make good on the promises of a lifetime ago.
    My head was a mess and I knew sleep was nothing but wishful thinking. My body still hummed with the excitement of being near him.
    He knew who I was. He remembered me.
    My chest constricted painfully, as the reality of what I’d done slammed into me for the hundredth time.
    I had admitted who I was. A tear slid down my cheek.
    My weakness had put everyone I loved in danger because I couldn't move past my emotional trauma.
    I knew being around him would be a struggle the second I touched his hand. But I had no choice. I couldn't give Nancy any reason to be suspicious. If she thought for one second I wasn’t who she believed me to be, her first call would be to Pops. If that happened, I might as well take all the security precautions I’d worked so hard surrounding myself with, and throw them out the hospital window if she made that call.
    Seeing Ben again made years of emotional damage drop on me like a bag filled with skeletons from my closet.  Memories flooded my mind, drowning me with all the vivid details.
     
     
    “You stupid little whore!” my father screamed as his calloused hand connected with my cheek.
    I collapsed onto the wooden floor, my vision darkening around the edges. The intense pain in my jaw was the only thing keeping me conscious.
    “No, please!” Mom begged as she grabbed at his arm. He spun around on her, swinging.
    “This is your fault, Hope. You raised her to be just like you. A fucking junkie slut who opens her legs to the first guy who looks at her.”
    He punched her in the stomach and she fell to the floor, eyes bulging as she gasped for air. Our eyes met for a brief second from across the room and tears spilled over as she tried to apologize without words. I knew there was no one who would save me, and she did too. Her eyes told me to prepare myself.
    I shook as my entire body flooded with terror.
    He turned back toward me and her eyes glazed over, removing emotion from the situation like I’d seen her do so many times before.
    My dad grabbed me by the hair and pulled me to his chest. Somewhere in the background, I heard the click of the door shutting as my mom left.
    “You are just like your mother, worthless trash.”
    He pushed me up against the wall, wrapping his large hand around my neck. My toes dangled and kicked frantically trying to leverage my weight. I grabbed and clawed at