Then she looks at the guys. “Turn her around. I’m not finished yet.”

Maybe it’s the chilling flatness in her voice when she says it, or it could be the idea of her seeing my scar and how much worse she’ll make my life once she does. Whatever it is, gives me the strength I need to break free. They’re probably too drunk, their reflexes are slow, and I use that to my advantage.

“Hey!” But that’s all Deborah gets out before I fling myself at her, knocking her against a dresser and out of my way. I fly to the door, throw it open, and run like hell down the hall. I fling myself into my room and slam the door before wedging the chair underneath the knob.

“Come on, Leni!” Deborah calls out, her voice getting louder as she approaches. “We just want to have fun! Don’t be such a pain in the ass!” Either Nix or Colt says something to her in a low voice, and she giggles. The sound fades away as she retreats to their room. I don’t have to imagine what’s going on in there. So long as they’re leaving me alone, I really don’t care.

Once I’m sure they’re not going to do anything like try to kick the door in, I allow myself to turn away from the door and head back to the bathroom. The shower walls are still dripping, but I’m about to get them wet again. There are tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as I turn on the water and step in, grabbing my mesh sponge and soaping it heavily before I begin the task of scrubbing the marker off my skin. It’s not easy, but then what is? This is my life, after all. Nothing about it has ever been easy.

My tears mix with the hot water as my skin gets redder and redder the longer I work. I’m not getting out of this shower until my skin is clear. I don’t care if it takes all night and I run out of hot water. I will not allow those hateful words to live on my body.

I will not let her win.

CHAPTER 16

Time is ticking away. I have a decision to make.

The idea of being in this house alone with my stepbrothers while Mom and James are on their honeymoon is unthinkable. One of the only things that kept me going last night was knowing that, eventually, James would come home. Mom? I doubt she would care either way. But he at least gives me hope. He’s the only one around here who’s kind to me. I need to believe that kindness will make a difference. I need him to believe me and stick up for me. Somebody has to because I’m not getting anywhere by myself.