The Lies I Believed

All Your Fault

I don't know what got into Aaron, but I knew the worst was coming when he stormed into the room and yanked me up from the mattress. He didn't have to be so rough, but it's whatever. I hadn't registered that he'd hit me until I hit the floor. Wow! It's Lucas all over again. I'm helpless and there's no one around to help me out. Again.

"A-Aaron," I stammered. "Why--"

"Ever since that night, nothing has been going as planned! It's all your fault. If I'd picked someone else, we wouldn't be in this situation."

"That doesn't give you any right to hit me!"

"What are you gonna do? Cry? I'd like to see that. Makes me feel like I actually accomplished something."

That's weird! Who says things like that? Lucas was abusive, but he didn't spew out nonsense while hitting me. Sometimes he did, but it made complete sense to me. I can tell Aaron isn't married. Or he's struggling for dominance in his relationship. Definitely the latter.

"I don't normally hit women, but you make me want to beat you into an oblivion," he growled. "I can see why no one wants you around."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I whined.

"See? That right there is why! You're such a whiny person. No wonder Asher's taking his precious time getting here. He's probably happy he doesn't have to hear you whining about something stupid."

"I don't whine..."

"You're doing it now."

I wasn't doing anything! What was I doing?

Aaron started kicking me without warning. I felt the air being knocked out of me, but I couldn't react. I was shocked. Why was he taking his anger out on me? I'm sure he has other people he could hit. Yeah, I may have put him in this situation, but that was al lI did. It's not like I killed someone close to him.

"You make me want to become a terrorist. That's how much I hate you and people like you."

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

"Did I ask for your opinion! No! Now come with me."

He pulled me up from the floor and threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. Now I know I'm not that skinny. Even Asher pointed out that I was gaining weight. I wanted to hit him for that, but it has been a while since I've had any physical action in my life. Having such a sedentary job has its drawbacks.

While he stomped all over God's creation, I began thinking about what I could have done differently. I wouldn't be in this situation, if I'd asked one of the girls if we could stay with them. I know they would have their excuses, but that would have made Asher take us to his house when we arrived. Of course, there's the self defense classes. I don't take life seriously anymore.

"I can hear you," I muttered.

"Do I care? No!" Aaron barked. "Don't talk to me."

Well, it isn't my fault you're in this situation. You're the one who reached out to me. Maybe you should have chosen someone else. Someone like Natalia or Isabella. They've taken my place on missions before. They know how to be cool and collected. Then again, they don't really know my life story. I'd hate for them to find out this way.

We entered a room I recognized way too quickly. He really needs to figure out what that smell is. Someone might pass out in here. Someone could die. Maybe he killed way too many people and that's why it smells like that. Ugh, men are so disgusting!

Aaron all but threw me into the chair. I huffed in annoyance. Could he be any less aggressive? I didn't ask to be here. He should have given me more time and the files would have been here by now. When is now? I don't even know how long I've been here. I don't know when the sun rises or sets.

"I am so tired of people defying me. Never taking me seriously," he muttered. "Once they find out how serious I am, they'll listen. Just you wait."

"Are you talking to me?" I asked.

"Will you shut up! I'm never going to be talking to you."

Well, okay then. All he had to do was say no. I understand what that means.

"We can start filming anytime, sir."

"Good. Do I look good?"

No.

"Yes, sir. Dashing."

Disgusting.

"Great."

"Rolling in 3...2...1..."

"Hello, Asher. I hope you received my message Friday. I haven't heard from you since then. Are you angry? I would be, but that's not why I'm leaving this message for you. Lexi has messed up and it's your job to fix the mistakes she made. You have until Friday to get me the files I want or she goes up in flames. I'm not afraid to get a little blood on my hands, but...I'm pretty ticked off."

"You're not going to get away with this."

"Lexi, be quiet or I'll blow your head off right here. I'm not afraid to start a little war. It'll be fun to watch everyone figure out who started what. Don't you think so, Asher?"

This is so stupid. I've never seen someone so pissed off about something they clearly had no control over in the first place. This is like Wayne all over again. Except he liked showing he wasn't afraid of a little heat.

"So, what is it going to be? Am I going to get what I want before then? Or am I going to have to start shooting?"

"Honestly...you should just kill me." I smiled up at him. "I promise I won't haunt you from the afterlife."

"You know what..."

"No, I don't know what. What is it?"

"That's it. Cut the camera!"

I knew what was coming as soon as the camera was covered with a black cloth. Aaron slapped me so hard, I thought I saw the light. I gritted my teeth against the pain and stared at him. He isn't going to get a reaction out of me. I won't allow it.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back. Now if I wasn't married, then I would have liked it. There's just something about a guy taking control.

"Just because you think you're going crazy right now, doesn't mean you should act like it. You want to die, then I'll drag it out as long as I can. You will suffer and I'll see to it that your children personally receive the news of your death from me."

"If you can find them," I spat.

"What makes you think I already haven't?"

I didn't say anything. If he hasn't gotten the files, then how is he going to find my family? I'm beginning to think he only knows who I am. Why threaten me with my kids, but not show me the evidence? Asher's not that dumb to keep the kids out of his sight for so long.

"If he doesn't respond to this one, consider yourself dead."