Free Defiled Forever by AM Rivera Page A

I’m not as recovered as I thought I guess.” I deflect.
     
    “Daddy, I was wondering if you could please re do our security here. New locks, new alarm codes, the whole deal?”
     
    “Of course. Of course I will get on it today. Do you have any reason to think someone would break in here?” He asks.
     
    “No. It’s just Mr. Francis says there was some kind of assault outside the Gallery when I left Friday night and I guess it brought back all of my insecurities. I feel kind of unsafe.” What a little liar I have become. I can hardly explain to my Father that I have continued having sex with one of my kidnappers and he comes and goes as he pleases around here.
     
    “Don’t worry Darling. I will hire the best security money can buy. We will have armed guards and attack dogs if you like until you are feeling safe.” He offers.
     
    “That’s a little over the top.” I don’t want to be the cause of Nikolai killing someone or even harming an animal.
     
    “Just an overhaul of the locks and all is enough.”
     
    “Consider it done.” He says with a pat to my hand.
     
    I pin my hair up in a tight French Roll kind of do and even wear one of the little short sleeved cardigans over my dress for work at the gallery. I feel like I am in full control again. Full metal jacket.
     
    The gallery is buzzing for a mid-week day and I welcome the distraction. Mr. Francis goes over the story again about the beatings last Friday night and says the cops still have no suspects. I reply honestly
     
    “I really hope they catch the guy.” And I mean it with all my heart. My sore, battered heart.
     
    One day blends into the next until suddenly it is time to go back to school. What a summer. I plan to stay a few hours a week at the gallery. I love my job. Other than a few nights out with Amanda and a dinner or two with Matthew in my home, I pretty much do nothing.
     
    My stalker is back. I feel him more than see him. I have made up my mind if Nikolai ever approaches me again I will call the police and charge him with some kind of harassment.
     
    My home is now like Fort Knox. My Father took my request seriously and our security system had a complete overhaul. No one gets in without an invitation.
     
    I feel grown up finally. All of that wicked sex didn’t make me grow up. But taking a stand and moving on from the destructive Nikolai has made me grow up. I like myself and I promise myself almost daily that I do not love him. I do not miss his, I hate him. This has been my pep talk to myself several times a day every day for the past weeks.

 
     
    Twenty
     
    Matthew meets me at the center of the net and gives me a little kiss on the cheek to apologize I guess for his beating me easily. We laugh and agree to sit a while and have something cold to drink and maybe some lunch. He grabs our racquets as I make my way to pick out a good table in the shade. Even though we are deep into fall, the sun still beats down like it is the middle of summer and LA is enjoying record breaking heat.
     
    The waiter is there pulling out my chair and asking what we would like to drink when Nikolai walks right up to me and I am so shocked at seeing him here I can’t deflect at all when he leans down and kisses my mouth with a fast brief kiss in greeting.
     
    “Nikolai! What are you doing here?” I ask with my eyes going to seek out Matthew who is just a few steps away and obviously witnessed the entire thing. Oh no.
     
    “Lauren? Is everything ok here?” Matthew asks and he is clearly uncomfortable.
     
    “Yes. Matthew this is Nikolai.” I don’t offer last names.
     
    “ Grekov . I know you aren’t a member here. How did you get in?” Matthew asks and the entire time he is looking around for help.
     
    So Nikolai was right when he said Matthew knew him and was out to get him.
     
    I’m a guest here with friends. Don’t worry Lawson everything is legal and above board. You won’t need to make a citizen’s arrest.” Nikolai,