SEIZED Part 2: Steamy Romantic Suspense (Seize Me Romance Fiction Series) Read Free Page B

teenagers after midnight. I can almost imagine the conversations, and the sleazy dudes that were his weekend companions.
    There are no shots of either of them taken in Cedar Rapids. From what Blake told me about his Dad’s drinking and his Mom leaving, I’m not surprised. It’s sad to look at the rest of the photos. By then, the family was almost entirely disintegrated with Blake and Brenda doing whatever they could to get by. Next, I see some photos of Blake dressed all in black, ready for work as a doorman. He looks handsome.
    The next page has a set or pictures taken on the same night. He’s standing next to a gorgeous girl with jet-black hair and sly-looking eyes. Her skin is beautiful and I can’t help feeling a spark of envy. This must be after he left Cedar Rapids, during the party days, sometime before he got sober. It’s the way the two of them are looking at each other that’s disturbing. I’m all for being friends with the ex, but there’s no way I’d want this woman in Blake’s life if I’m seeing him. They look like their connection is strong, and even stand in the same way. I can just tell this woman broke his heart.
    Something in me softens toward him. He might still think I’m a liar, but I want to hear his voice. I stand at the counter and use the phone to key in the number on his card. It’s still pinned to the notice board where he left it, in case of emergencies. This isn’t an emergency, but I don’t care. There was something so sad seeing all of those photos, he looked so different. Like the Blake I used to know was trying to play grown up.
    I know those party days must have been dark times. The New York City club scene can be flashy and appealing, but after some time, my guess is that it starts to feel grimy. I began to see it when April and I were out, and I read about it all the time. Everyone’s a victim of something. Money buys anything you like, and the highest bidder always wins.
    Maybe I should have been a Detective. I couldn’t stop noticing the careless drug deals happening right in front our faces. Most people were out to have fun, but there was so much sketchy energy in the clubs—upscale or not. Maybe I’m just drawn to it. Who knows.
    The number I call finally starts to ring. It must need to connect through the police operator because I hear several clicks. He doesn’t pick up though. I start to wonder, does he see it’s me and is purposely ignoring the call ? I’m sure he wouldn’t do that. But then again, I’m not sure of anything anymore. I hang up and try the line again. Still no answer. Weird. I’m standing in the kitchen and my head gets lost in the past.
    I’m drawn back to another time I tried to call Blake. I’m sixteen years old and I’m scared. I’ve been attacked and no one knows. My parents are out having dinner, and I’m slumped in the bathroom of my room crying and in pain. There’s blood in my panties, blood dripping out of me and it’s not because of my period. I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared my heart is pounding. I can still feel his hands on me. I’m disgusted.
    I try and vomit, but all I can do is wretch and heave. The resort we’re visiting with our church for the family vacation is supposed to be nice. But it’s not, and my broken body is the proof. I find a phone and call him. He’s the only person I can think of. But I hang up before it rings. How can I tell him this? How can I tell anyone?
    I get in the shower. Blood is still trickling down my legs and I can feel that I’m ripped. My entrance is swollen and sore. I can’t bear to touch it so I just lean up against the wall and let the water wash me down. My head is foggy. I can hardly see through the tears and the water. I feel dizzy and this time, I do throw up. The vomit mixes with the blood, but it clogs the drain, and I can’t believe this nightmare is my life.
    I turn the shower off. I still don’t feel clean, but I’m cold and the tub is disgusting. The