RISE: THE PREQUEL NOVELLA TO THE SIN AND SECRETS COLLECTION by Shanna Swenson & Kali Brixton & Nicole Rodrigues & Cara Wade

Author:Shanna Swenson & Kali Brixton & Nicole Rodrigues & Cara Wade [Swenson, Shanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

I walk out of the college dance studio with my friend Eden, texting Everleigh to meet us for lunch. Everleigh and I graduated high school with Eden, although we ran in different circles. We connected again during our freshman dance class and the three of us have become inseparable for the past year, aside from when Giacomo gets in the way and splits it all up. Only Everleigh knows about my situation, the embarrassment and shame of what my life has become is too much to share with anyone else.

“She’s meetin' us at the sushi place?” Eden asks as we get into the limo waiting outside.

I don't know much about her situation, only that her parents aren't around and Vince, the owner of The Devil’s Playground, takes care of her.

“Yep. She’ll be there in ten," Eden answers as she pulls up the partition, giving us privacy.

I buckle my seatbelt and my phone starts to buzz in my hands. I always dread that ringtone and as soon as I answer it, I get my daily lashing.

“Where the fuck are you?” Giacomo snaps.

“I-I’m at school. I just finished class, I’m gettin' lunch before my next one. You know I have a late day on Tuesday’s,” I answer softly.

“Are you talking back to me?”

“No, I—”

“Who are you getting lunch with?”

“Everleigh and Eden.”

“What class did you just have?”

“Giacomo, I—”

“What class, Magnolia,” he seethes.

I close my eyes and sigh, shaking my head.

“Dance.”

“I thought I told you to drop that fucking class! You’re pushing your body too hard, this is why you’re not getting pregnant.”

“That’s not the reason. You heard the doctor and—”

“Drop that class, Magnolia. Now I’m going to have to fuck you twice today, just to make sure we’re on the same page. Do you understand me?”

His voice is low and menacing and I swallow down my fear, glancing over at Eden as I see her jaw tense.

“Giacomo, that doesn’t actually help, it makes it—”

“I don’t give a fuck. If I want to take you twice, I’ll take you twice. You're my wife, Magnolia, don't forget your place. Skip lunch and get your ass to my office before your next class.”

He hangs up the phone and anger courses through my veins, but I push it down just like I’ve been doing my entire life.

“Geez, I heard rumors but I wasn’t convinced. Why the hell did you marry that dickhead?” Eden asks from next to me.

“Can you drop me off at his office? He’s on 5th and Gerald,” I whisper.

“Magnolia, are you serious? He just cursed you out and basically said he was just gonna take you whether you wanted him to or not. Regardless if you’re married, I’m pretty sure that’s sexual assault,” Eden snaps.

“You don’t know anything about it!” I yell. “I had no choice! Just...drop me at his office. Please.”

I wipe a tear from my cheek and Eden exhales, shaking her head as she instructs the driver of our change and we drive in silence to Giacomo’s office.

I ignore Everleigh’s text messages and when the car pulls in front of Giacomo’s building, Eden grips my hand and squeezes.

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