Raising Ryann Read online

  Six Years Earlier

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  “So let me get this straight,” Gia’s mother says in her thick East Coast accent. “Your neighbors used to be his foster parents, but they’re not anymore?” We are sitting in front of my house discussing Ronald—my mother’s creepy new boyfriend—when Gia spots the guy across the street.

  I inhale a deep breath then slowly release it. “Yes. I don’t know many of the details. My mom just said that it’s complicated.” I fidget a little in the back then glance out the window, trying to be discreet. “In fact, I haven’t seen him in almost three years. The last time was shortly after my father’s arrest. I’m actually surprised to see him at all.”

  She arches her thick artificial brow. “Do they take kids often?”

  I think of the kids I’ve seen over the years. “There are three total that I can remember, but the other two were younger—a little boy and a little girl—all of them at separate times. They’ve been doing it for as long as I’ve lived here.”

  “Oh my God. Look!” Gia points. “He’s taking off his shirt.” I cover my face, praying the lawn mower starts before he hears us.

  “He’s tall.” Mrs. Lopez’s gaze continues its focus. “He looks like he could be an adult.” She tilts her head, examining him. “Definitely older than you two.” She’s right. He is older, but I’m not going to tell her that. I’m pretty sure I’ve told her enough, probably even too much.

  “Maybe they’re just really close, and he’s visiting,” Gia says.

  “They might be, but Jim and Pam left yesterday on business. They’re supposedly out of town right now.”

  “He could be house sitting.”

  “He could be,” Gia’s mother answers.

  Realizing what we must look like, I sink lower in my seat. “Could you guys please be a little less obvious? We’ve been staring at him for like ten minutes. If he catches us, I’ll be mortified.”

  “No worries. These windows are tinted pretty well,” Gia responds.

  I roll my eyes. “I should probably get going.” Reaching over, I grab my stuff and open the car door.

  “Wow Reese, he’s hot.” She glances back. “I mean really hot. No wonder you’re crazy about him.”

  Shutting the door softly, afraid he can hear, I say, “Will you shut up!” “I’m not crazy about …”

  “He’s too old for her,” Mrs. Holder interrupts, looking back at me. “He’s too old for you.”

  “He’s a man, Mom. Not some immature little boy who doesn’t know how to take care of a woman.” She shrugs her shoulders.

  Her mom purses her lips. “Where are you getting all this,” waving her hand in the air, “he’s a man crap?”

  “Direct TV, why?”

  “Consider it cancelled.” She turns to me and changes the subject. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Wrinkling her nose at my mom’s boyfriend’s truck. Mom’s been working the late shift at the hospital. Her latest boyfriend happens to make my skin crawl. Unfortunately she’s addicted to assholes, so it’s just something I’ve always had to deal with.

  “I’m sure.”

  We wave goodbye, and I walk to the door, digging deep in my purse for my key. When I step inside I find a blaring television and a passed out Ronald, complete with his hand down his pants. Gross. Our coffee table is covered in beer cans, and the house is a complete and total mess. Ugh. I make sure to grab all my things and walk straight down the hall to my bedroom.

  The clock reads 8:23, and I really have to pee. I’ve occupied my time with a book and haven’t stepped out of my room in four hours. There’s no way I’d watch TV with him here, so I’m happy it’s kept me entertained. I grab a pair of pajamas and slowly open my door, bolting to the bathroom before he can see me. I feel a million times better as I hop in the shower. A light knock sounds at the door just as soon as I turn on the water.

  “That you, Reese?” His voice is friendly, but it still makes me cringe. The image of him earlier disgusts me. It’ll probably forever be burned in my mind.

  “Uh, yeah,” I shout over the water, my eyes pinned to the door. “Do you need something?”

  He doesn’t answer.

  I pause a few seconds then ask again. “Did you need something, Ronald?” There’s still no response, so I close the curtain, happy I’m not forced to talk to him. Weirdo.

  I take a much longer shower than my normal routine. If I waited long enough, he might be gone before I’m done. Who knows? Maybe it’s the reason he knocked in the first place—probably just to tell me goodbye. After throwing on my clothes, I carefully comb through the tangles in my hair. My heart jolts when I open the door, and he’s standing three feet across from me. “Shit!” I yell, placing my palm over my chest in an attempt to calm my breathing.

  “Did I scare you?” There’s an eerie look on his face as he leans against the wall watching me.

  “Why are you here?” I take a step back. The look in his eyes makes me squirm.

  He pushes off the wall coming toward me. “Fourteen years old, huh?” Ignoring my question, he leans over and lifts my chin with his finger and thumb. “That right?” His face is close, his breath reminds me of sour milk, and his slicked back hair looks shiny with oil or sweat.

  My pulse picks up, fear settling in. “Yes,” I say softly. I don’t know what his plans are, but my gut tells me that I’m a part of them.

  “Yeah,” he smirks, eyes dropping to the swell of my breasts. “You a woman yet?”

  I blink a couple times confused. “I don’t know what you mean?”

  Chuckling, he asks, “You get your period?”

  My gaze flicks in every direction. Did he really just ask me that? I cross my arms trying to cover myself. “That’s really none of your business Ronald.”

  He takes a step back. “Why not?” His gaze moves up and down my body, not caring at all if I notice.”

  “Eww. Aren’t you like thirty-five or something?” I don’t wait for him to answer, and instead, push my way through, silently praying I can get to a weapon before he follows. I tell him over my shoulder, “I’m going to bed. You should probably go.” My voice comes out breathy, scared. The instant I spot the bat, I’m face down on my bedroom floor, and his heavy body is pressed against my back. As I struggle to get up, he uses his weight, sitting on my legs, pinning my arms beneath him. He’s so much bigger that my kicking and bucking aren’t doing anything. “Help!” My voice cracks when I give a sorry cry.

  He chuckles as though he finds my effort amusing. There’s a clanking sound before he grabs each one of my wrists, holding both in one hand when he wraps a cord or belt securely around them.

  “Somebody help me. Please!” I try to look
behind me, but he shoves my face roughly into the floor. The taste of copper fills my mouth as my teeth chomp down on my tongue.

  “I don’t mind you fighting, Reese.” His rotting breath spreads down my neck, making me gag. “In fact I like it.” He pulls back on the restraint, pushing his arousal into my backside. The right side of my face feels raw as it repeatedly rubs against the carpet; his wet tongue licks the line of my jaw and slowly moves over my cheek. “Soon I’ll be inside this tight little ass.”

  “Please don’t do this!” I beg. “My father’s an ex-cop. You’ll never get away with it!”

  “I’m not afraid of your daddy.” He laughs. “Your momma told me he ain’t around no more.”

  Sobbing, I yell, “But he will be!” I search for anything, anything to change his mind. “I won’t tell anyone if you let me go. I promise! Just let me go!” More cries come out. “I’m begging you! Don’t do this!”

  His face is within an inch from mine in an instant. “Oh, I know you won’t tell anyone,” he whispers. There’s a struggle behind me, and the faint noise of a zipper. “‘Cause you’re gonna like it, and then you’re gonna be begging for more.” A blood-curdling scream fills the room that could only be mine. “You better stop screaming, or I’ll put it in your mouth!” He grinds into me again, and I notice his penis is out of his pants. Pressing his lips to my ear, he asks, “You want it in your mouth, sweetheart?”

  “God no,” I whimper. “Please stop!”

  His fingers glide up my thighs before he effortlessly tugs down my shorts. I’m helpless, sobbing, and twisting beneath him. “No!” I scream, my heart ready to explode. My eyes squeeze shut as his fingers connect with my panties. This is it. I’m going to lose my virginity to this monster. There’s an earthshaking crash, and he’s off me in an instant. I hear a struggle and open my eyes, finding shards of glass all around me. I flip over, shuffling back. My gaze follows the sounds of the blows. That’s when I see him, my savior, or maybe he’s an angel of death. He has Ronald trapped face down on the floor, with the barrel of a gun pressed roughly against his skull.

  “You’re going to die, you sick fuck.”

  The bloodthirsty crowd sparks a familiar rush of adrenaline as Samantha struts back and forth across the octagon, arousing the spectators. My eyes circle the room finding Pam and Jim in their regular spot, and I’m thankful my biggest fans are here to support me. I flash Pam a wink letting her know that I see her. She grins, wiggling her eyebrows, playfully nudging Jim beside her. I rotate my neck from side to side as they announce the other contender, when Samantha pins me with her stare, mouthing the words I love you, before she prances out of the cage.

  We stare each other down making our way to the center of the octagon. Standing nose to nose, both of us ready for them to give us the signal. I’ve held the last six titles in the Light Heavyweight Division. Seven is my lucky number, and I intend on winning another.

  The ref spits out the rules, and round one begins. We both dance around the cage, focusing on one another’s weaknesses. He’s good on the ground; he’ll try to take me to the mat. I’m a striker. I plan to stay standing the rest of the fight. We read each other’s expressions, holding our fists in front of our faces, wondering what the other’s next move will be.

  I decide to take a swing, and he shuffles back. I swing again, this time backing him into the net. Both of us are throwing punches, but none are making any contact, at least not enough to count. I can tell he’s getting tired, so I back off, letting him rest. If I take him down right now, the fans won’t be happy. They came to see a fight, and I plan to give them one.

  We breeze our way through the first round, and he starts getting cocky, doing this winking shit. It irritates the hell out of me, so I step up my game, charging after him. He positions himself in a crouch, telling me he’s ready to grapple and reaches out his arms to wrap them around my waist. He’s using everything to get me on the ground. I’m not going to let that happen, because he’s leaving himself open, and my fist is going to connect with his jaw … right about now.

  There’s a loud cracking sound before he goes down fast and hard. In fact, I’m pretty sure the guy saw stars. It takes a little over a minute before he blinks his way into consciousness, and it surprises me when he greets me with a smile.

  “Congratulations bro,” he says, stretching out his arm. “You’re a legend.”

  I like this guy, so I give him a pat on the back, shaking his hand. “Thanks bud. Good job tonight.”

  “It’s an honor.”

  “You’re killing me.” I grin. “Hey, take care of yourself out there.”

  “Yeah, you too.” We give our attention to the fans before I make my way over to Pam and Jim. I want to thank them for coming.

  “Good job buddy!” a familiar voice shouts from nearby. I turn at the waist, spotting my friend, Logan, who’s dressed like he’s ready to party.

  “Hey, I wasn’t sure you were coming.”

  He shrugs then glances around the coliseum before his eyes land back on me. “You sure you want to leave all this?”

  My eyes follow the same direction his just did. “Yeah man. I’m sure.”

  “Luke!” Pam yells. I reach out to give her a hug, and she gently kisses my cheek, pulling

  away quickly before getting my sweat on her.

  I grin. “Sorry, I’m wet.”

  “And stinky,” she says, holding her nose with her slender fingers.

  “That’s okay, he can stink,” Jim shouts next to me, patting me on the back. “Good fight, son, though I guess you could have stretched it out a bit.”

  I chuckle. “I was going to wait another round, but he got cocky.”

  “I saw that.” Slipping an arm around Pam’s shoulders he asks, “You sure you want to

  quit?” He watches me intently as though I’ll change my mind.

  “Why does everyone keep asking that?”

  Logan smirks, rocking back and forth on his heels as if he’s contemplating an answer.

  “You’re young,” Jim says. “You’re not going to miss the fame?” He looks around. “The fans?” His eyes stop on Samantha. “And the women?” He mumbles the last part, and I snicker at the glare he earns from Pam.

  “The parties,” Logan adds, right as Pam slaps Jim on the back of the head.

  I glance at Logan. “It gets old, trust me.” Looking at Jim, I add, ”And I don’t have any problems when it comes to women.”

  “Enough about the women!” Pam growls. “Why are you encouraging him to fight, Jim? If he wants to lay low, leave him alone about it. Besides, you won’t have to worry about him getting hurt.”

  “That’s my cue,” Logan interrupts. “I’m going to head out, to your party.” He emphasizes the word your, signaling toward a group of girls who have been staring at us.

  “Catch you in a few,” I tell him. He waves at the rest of the group then walks away.

  “So how long are you two going to be gone?” I ask.

  Pam looks at Jim and arches a brow.

  “What?” he asks.

  “Do you know how long we’re going to be gone this time?” she teases. “Because last time you seemed to know, and we ended up staying a lot longer than our original plan.”

  “Two weeks, but you never know with these things.” He scratches his nose as Pam makes faces beside him. “Sometimes it takes longer than expected.” Jim likes to go to these marketing conventions, and they usually end up being out of state. Pam thinks they’re a waste of time, but she goes with him because he wants her there. He’s always looking for ways to make a little more money and have a successful business. A couple years ago they opened their own gym. I thought the idea was perfect and told them I’d help out as soon as I retired. They just didn’t expect me to retire this damn soon.

  “Does anybody know I’m coming?” I ask them.

  Pam places her palm over her forehead and her eyes go wide. “Crap! I didn’t get a chance to tell her.”

  “You
better call her,” Jim says. My eyes flick back and forth between them.

  “I figured it would be good to put the two of you together until we have everything set up for your class.” She grabs my shoulders. “Isn’t it ironic?”

  “Huh?” I tilt my head because I have no idea what she’s talking about.

  She smiles. “That you and Reese will be working together?”

  That name. I know the name. “Wait ... You mean Reese? As in your little neighbor Reese?” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

  “It hasn’t been that long since we’ve talked about her. She’s not little anymore, Luke.”

  “Yeah, but she’s old enough to have a job?”

  “Well of course, she’s in college now.” Pam stares at me like I’m a dumbass.

  “She was pretty young the last time I saw her. I guess I have a hard time picturing her as an adult,” I reply.

  “Well she is, and she’s beautiful.” The memory of what that prick almost did to her flashes through my mind. By the look on their solemn faces, they were expecting it.

  “So she’s doing pretty good, huh?” I ask them.

  Jim nods. “We told you we’d watch out for her, and we meant it.”

  “Her mother still lives in the same house. Never remarried. She dates though. There always seems to be a man around. They usually don’t stay for long. Then she moves on to the next. When Reese finally got her own apartment, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I never liked the burden her mother put on her. It wasn’t right. The poor thing grew up too fast.” She ruffles my hair. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

  “That’s too bad.” I frown.

  “She didn’t have a choice,” Jim says, and I agree with him.

  “But she’s a fighter,” Pam tells me.

  “Yes, she is,” Jim adds. “Tough little woman.”

  “Sounds like it.” I decide to change the subject ‘cause it’s getting a little depressing. “So what does she do there, anyway?”

  “Oh,” Pam smiles. “You’re gonna love this. She teaches self-defense classes to young girls,” they both say together. “You should see her with them. She’s wonderful.”

  I grin at the thought of that. I couldn’t imagine a better job for her. “Perfect ... that’s perfect.” I scratch the back of my neck, thinking about our working together. “Listen, maybe you shouldn’t mention anything to her about who I am. You know? I don’t want things to be awkward.”