“That’s just it, Owen.” My voice took on an unnatural growl as something grew inside me—boldness. “Aria’s not a child anymore. She’s growing up, and regardless of what happened with Ryan, that should be her decision to make, whether she presses charges or not. I don’t know the truth about whether it was consensual or not, but you shouldn’t force her into this or else you’re no better than Ryan by stripping away her voice.”

I already knew I had said too much when his hand swung out, swiftly gripping my throat.

“I warned you once, Mackenzie. This is your last warning.”

As his hand tightened around my neck, I felt the embers of my courage come alive. I felt the phoenix rising from the ashes of a girl burned alive long ago. I wouldn’t let Owen win. I wouldn’t let him use Aria, or me, or Ryan, or Robin to stroke his fragile ego.

His mouth was a breath away from mine, his words hot on my skin. Reaching up, I clawed at his right eye, raking my fingernails down his face. He screamed and let go, covering the red furrows with his palm.

“You damn bitch!” he screamed.

I laughed in his face. “Aw, did you just curse? Well, well, well, so the high and mighty Owen Fischer has finally fallen down to earth with the rest of us!”

He lunged for me, but I was quicker. I ran to the kitchen to grab my car keys and cell phone, then to the coat closet for my purse. I’d grab clothes later. I glanced out the kitchen window into the backyard where Aria flipped over on a striped beach towel, earbuds in her ears and oversized sunglasses shading her face. She’d be okay until I returned. Owen would never touch her; he never had.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Owen yelled, still protecting his face with one hand while reaching for me with the other.

“Out! And don’t try to stop me or those buzzards out there will be picking at your body next.”

I darted past him toward the front door, swung it open, and looked back at the life I was leaving behind. Nothing but a house of horrors.

Standing on the porch, I shot a text to Aria, explaining I would be spending the night away to clear my head, but to contact me if she needed me. Owen huffed, unwilling to chase me. Owen didn’t chase. He controlled from his La-Z-Boy. But not any longer. “Fine, go. But the locks will be changed before you get home, so don’t bother coming back.”

I didn’t plan to come back. Not now, not ever again.

Chapter 31

Robin

SATURDAY EVENING