Los Angeles, CA

Steady beeping filled the air as Connie sat at her daughter's side, holding Erin's limp hand and stroking the back of it with her thumb.

"That friend of yours is really smitten with you, Erin," she commented gazing at her sleeping daughter with a faint smile. "He's gone home to get some rest. He's been here every day. I have a feeling he's more than a friend. Maybe you kept it a secret from your own mother? Typical." A tear fell down the older woman's cheek as she scoffed. "He's a good one I think. Heh, if only you could hear me admit that."

There had been no change in the two weeks Erin had been in the hospital. Scans still showed some swelling but only minor improvement. Two security guards, changing every eight hours, stood outside the door limiting who came in. It had only been hospital staff other than Connie and the man who brought her in.

Two knocks on the door signalled someone requesting entrance. Connie straightened in the armchair and looked warily toward the door. A man she hadn't seen before dressed in light blue scrubs and a surgical mask entered the room.

"Hello, Ma'am," he said, clearing his throat. "I'm here to uh...check on our patient."

"Oh...right," Connie replied, standing and stepping out of the way.

She watched him carefully. It was immediately suspicious that he didn't introduce himself or explain what exactly he was going to do. In fact, as Connie watched him, he didn't seem to be doing anything like what the other hospital staff routinely did. He didn't check her IV, didn't check her vitals and didn't even glance at her chart. This nurse wasn't carrying a laptop or iPad that would give access to her records. He went to the far side of Erin's bed, back turned to Connie trying to hide the view as he picked up Erin's finger then took something out of his pocket and pressed it to her fingertip.

Connie lunged for his hand. "What are you doing?" Wide eyes, brows raised in panic met her straight in the eyes, his hauntingly familiar brown orbs showing guilt and beads of sweat had begun to gather on his forehead. She reached up and ripped down the surgical mask. "Luke?" She exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Stunned, Luke blinked a few times then stepped backward, subtly slipping the mysterious item into his pocket. "Aunt Connie, I-..."

"You're here for him, aren't you?" She accused, shaking a finger at him. "Betraying your own blood? Do you know what he did to her? What he put her through? You are a traitor to this family!"

Tears fell freely from Connie's eyes as she lifted her hand back then delivered a hard slap to Luke's cheek. The resounding snap heard out in the hallway.

"I-..." Luke started, raising a shocked hand to his already brightening cheek.

"No!" Connie growled. "Get out!" Without a word, Luke turned and left.

As he quickly walked down the hallway, he pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a number.

"Hey, I got it."

****

Garret Falladori stood leaning against the window frame in the penthouse suite of the Falladori Hotel. He built it as a headquarters in Los Angeles for his other business dealings. It was helpful owning the hotel serving as an excellent cover.

Four years prior, when Garret and Erin first separated, Connie had convinced Erin to not bother going back to New York, yet she did only once but without Ashlynn. She had agreed to meet with Garret to discuss division of their assets including visitation of Ashlynn. She was still a baby, just 4 months so naturally any court would give custody to the mother especially since Erin was nursing.

He had successfully seduced her that weekend. Garret smirked deviously at the memory of how she felt beneath him, her cries while he pummeled. Erin had been resistant but once he got started, she succumbed. He had his way with her several times that weekend. Erin cried every time, tears of joy, of course. Garret was confident they would have restitution in their marriage.

The morning she left for good, was the final determining event.

New York, 4 years ago

Garret woke up to the sound of his phone ringing. He untangled his arms from around a sleeping Erin, trying not to wake her up. The marks on her wrists from the binds were still bright red on her ivory flesh. Their last f*cking of the night, he had released Erin's wrists so she could shower before they slept. Quickly he slipped on his pants. Heading into the living room of their house, Garret irritatingly answered the phone.

"What is it Luke?" he growled.

"We have a problem and it's in the basement," Luke explained.

Rubbing his hand down his face, Garret groaned again. "Can't you take care of it?"

"I've been at it all night but he's not talking."

"This is bad timing," Garret growled. "Erin is here. She doesn't know about this side of the business."

Now it was Luke's turn to groan. "I'm sorry, Boss, but this is the guy who's been causing problems with the shipments."

"Fine, I'll be right there."

After finishing getting dressed in a beige suit, Garret checked on Erin. Still fast asleep. Good. He'd wake her up for another round when he was done dealing with this problem.

"Well, well, well," Garret drawled as he stepped off the last stair into his basement. "So this is the cockroach causing our financial bleeding problem?"

Luke leaned against the wall twirling a knife between his fingers next to the man tied up. His face bloodied and swollen from Luke's thorough interrogation. "Yes, Sir."

Garret squatted in front of the trembling man. "You know, Luke..." he began while sneering at his victim. "This guy doesn't look smart enough to be the brains of the operation." Luke scoffed from his perch. "Who do you work for?" Garret asked the man, feigning patience despite his deep scowl. "If you tell me...I'll make your death quick and easy. If not, well..." He shrugged, pointing a thumb over his shoulder adding, "Luke here could do some damage but I can always call in Tommy." The man started shaking even more. "Oh...you've heard of Tommy's work, huh? Well then, start talking."

Erin woke up not too long after Garret dressed and left. She was relieved when she found his side of their bed empty. Her eyes were puffy and swollen from crying. Her body was sore from head to toe especially between her legs. Garret had been merciless.

Slowly getting out of bed, Erin reached for her dress only to realize Garret had ripped it beyond wearability before forcing himself on her the second time of the night. That was also the time he tied her wrists and ankles to the bed. She took out a blue sheath dress from her bag and clean underwear then quickly dressed.

After hurriedly packing her few things into her overnight bag, Erin tiptoed downstairs hoping to sneak out. Now more than ever, she was convinced she wanted out of this marriage. There was no chance on reconciliation.

The door leading to the basement was ajar. The noises, arguing, Garrett's voice she heard from the basement distracted her for too long. Erin set her bag by the front door and quietly padded back to the open door. Softly Erin descended the stairs. What she saw made her want to scream.

Slapping a hand over her mouth, Erin stared as she watched Garret ruthlessly repeatedly punch a man tied up in a chair questioning him about where his drug money was.

"Hick hack ick!" Came the gagged words between angry punches.

"What was that?" Garret sneered, roughly yanking the gag out.

"Nick has it...." The man sobbed. "Nick has the money."

Erin saw Garret stiffen and clench his fists. She knew that gesture meant he was ready to explode. Deciding she had seen enough, Erin turned to ascend the stairs when she heard a clicking sound, froze and whirled to look back. Garret now had a gun pointed at the man's head.

"Thank you. Now I can leave that gorgeous sister of yours alone," Garret laughed maniacally then pulled the trigger.

Erin slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle the scream tearing from her throat then on shaky legs ran back up the stairs. Garret pivoted toward the stairs after thinking he heard a squeak and footsteps.

Turning toward Luke, Garret hissed the order through clenched teeth, "Get the boys to clean this up." Luke nodded and pulled his phone out as Garret stalked up the stairs.

Once at the top of the stairs, Garret heard banging around in the kitchen. He noted the small duffle of Erin's tucked away by the front door. She was up and had seen too much. Now she was in the kitchen hurriedly gathering pans and food from the fridge.

"Good morning," Garret cooed as he approached Erin who gave a tight lipped smile and a mumbled "Morning" in response. He slipped his arms around her waist noticing her body stiffen. Garret ran his hands just under her voluptuous breasts, thumbs grazing her nipples causing Erin to shiver. "How long have you been awake?" He whispered suggestively in her ear.

Erin pulled her head away to reach for the carton of eggs. "Ohh, not long. I thought you'd want breakfast before I left to catch my flight."

"Mmm, how thoughtful my wife is," He growled against her neck, biting at the flesh. Erin winced but continued preparing the eggs. "There is something else I'd prefer before you left." His hands wandered down to the hem of her dress and slowly lifted the fabric. "How much did you see, Passerotta?"

"S-s-see?" Erin cleared her throat. " I didn't see anything."

Garret chuckled darkly against her shoulder. "You have always been a terrible liar. Luckily, I've always had a...talent for getting answers."

Erin turned to face him narrowing her eyes at Garret. There was no point in dancing around this game. "What have you gotten yourself involved in since I've been gone?"

He slowly ran his fingers through Erin's hair in mock appreciation. "Things that will assure we never have money problems again."

"Illegal things?" She countered bitterly.

"Public service, Cara," He chuckled. "Speaking of service..." He spun her around so his back pressed to hers and while one hand roughly raked through her hair, the other pulled her dress up. "One more before you go, hmm?"

Tears flooded her eyes as she heard his zipper come down. "Garret, please don't..." she pleaded but he chuckled darkly again, tearing her panties.

"I love it when you beg." Mercilessly he kicked her legs open, tilting her hips back then shoved her firmly against the kitchen island. Roughly, Garrett palmed her buttcheek, squeezing the flesh. "You never did let me thoroughly break in this delicious ass. Now, with our new fresh new beginning...next time."

"Garrett! Don't!"

In one harsh thrust, he entered, ignoring Erin's sharp cry of pain still sore from his assaults throughout the night before. Garrett pistoned with ruthless force keeping Erin trapped against the counter. She tried reaching for a knife but Garrett caught her wrist, brutally yanking Erin's arm against her back and forcing her cheek to press on the cold marble. Erin cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face.

Luke came out of the basement door trudging up the steps. He stopped in his tracks, staring at the sight before him in the kitchen. Erin saw him and reached her free hand outward, mouthing the words "help me." His eyes were wide in shock. Luke shook his head then swiftly walked backwards out of the room.

Finally Garret let out a loud groan and finished, spurting several times. He stayed deeply buried, panting and leaning against Erin. He slapped her backside hard before pulling out and closing his pants.

"I'm looking forward to more of our passion when you move back home, Passerotta." Garret strode out of the kitchen after that comment leaving Erin broken, crying and utterly hopeless.

Standing straight, Erin fixed her dress then wiped her face with a towel. She deserved better than this, better than that monster. Ashlynn deserved a better father. As she walked slowly toward the front door, she looked around to make sure Garret wasn't downstairs. Since the coast was clear, she picked up her bag and purse determined to never return.

****

Garrett's thought were interrupted by his phone ringing. He looked at the caller ID and quickly answered it.

"What did you find?"

"It's her, Boss," Luke answered. "The lab results confirmed it's Erin."

"Excellent," Garret grinned. "Then we are getting closer. Get some of the men to keep an eye on the hospital. I want to know when she's awake, when she's discharged and where she goes."

A little glimpse of Erin's past. 

Domestic violence is no joke.  Too many women (and men!) are in fear fueled situations like the one above.  I am unashamed to admit that I am a DV survivor which is why a few of my stories touch on the subject.

There IS hope!  You are not alone and there is always a way out!  If you know someone who may be in a DV situation, isolation of the victim is one of the tactics.  They may not be speaking to you as much, won't hang out (because they aren't allowed).  It sounds ridiculous if you have never been in the situation or haven't known someone who is or was.  It's very delicate and isolating.  Be a support and ready with open arms when they are able to escape.

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