The Omega Team: Death Sentence (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page B

lifted her left arm. A jagged scar, whitish with age, ran from her smooth pit to her elbow.
    With so many wonderful things to look at, including her lavish breasts, hips, and the delicate curls between her legs, he hadn’t noticed any imperfections. “Your dad did that?” Chase’s stomach rolled. “Did he take a knife to you?”
    “His keys. He had them between his fingers like self-defense experts tell women to do so they can use them as a weapon against a mugger or rapist.”
    “He was showing you how to defend yourself?”
    “No.” Her cheeks reddened. She lowered her face.
    “Hey.” He rubbed her arm. “Whatever happened you can tell me, I won’t judge. If you don’t want to talk about this, that’s cool, too. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
    “I don’t have relationships with men, all right? At least, anything lasting. Nothing beyond a one-night stand.”
    Disappointment filled him. “Because of what your father did?”
    “Yeah. I’m scared. Just like you said.” She looked at him. “My father hurt me when he was beating up my mom. Actually, he was punching her with his keys, gouging her breasts and belly. It wasn’t the first time he brutalized her, but it was the worst. My younger sister screamed for him to stop. He wouldn’t. I jumped on his back to pry him off my mom. I was only seven. No match for a grown man. He threw me to the side and swung his fist. The first blow caught me here.”
    She turned her back to Chase and pointed to another whitish scar on her shoulder, this much smaller than the other. “You’d think that would have made any father stop. My screams pissed him off even more. He told me to shut up. I couldn’t. It hurt too much. He yanked me off my feet and held me above the floor by my arm while he slashed as deep as he could. I knew if I wasn’t quiet, he’d keep hurting me. Once he had me under control, he warned that if I ever tried to stop what he did to my mother, he’d kill her then me.”
    No wonder guys frightened her. “Are he and your mom still together?”
    Hallie slumped to the mattress. “He left when I was eight. He’d been dishonorably discharged from the army by then. Not for abusing my mom or terrorizing his children. I’m not certain why they drummed him out, but I do know he messed around with army groupies who were barely legal. Those dumb fools thought he was macho man. They liked his swagger. He ran off with one and took her to Puerto Rico. Last I heard, they’re still living in his mother’s house since he can’t hold a job. His temper’s too bad.”
    “Is your mom okay?”
    “Do you mean has she found another guy? No.” Hallie rested her arm over her eyes. “She swore off them after him. I send her half my salary every month so she doesn’t have to work. When my father abandoned us, she had to get two jobs in order to pay for shelter and food. At night, she slaved in a laundry. During the day and on weekends, she provided maid service at a local motel. He never sent the child support he owed. The hell she endured from him and the hours she put in supporting us made her old. She never had a chance to be young or have a good time. I want her to spend whatever years she has left enjoying herself. Taking it easy. Going to her bingo tournaments and visiting friends.”
    Chase squeezed Hallie’s knee. “Would you like me to contact my government friends, have them get your dad to pay up for you and your sister?”
    She waved her hands. “I don’t want any contact with him. I’d starve before taking his money, if he has any. Felice, my younger sister feels the same. She’s working on her Master’s in nursing home administration. Has a great job at a facility in Miami. She supports Mama, too. I’m talking too much, aren’t I?”
    He eased her close and captured her mouth. After a tender kiss, he brushed his lips over hers. “Not at all. Saved me asking a thousand questions. Believe me, I wanted to. Wasn’t sure if you’d