Chapter 6
ASHLEY
"C'mon, you know you like it."
The sturdily built Tobias feathered his big hand through my chin-length hair while I moaned in terror. The room was dark. He always switched off my sleeping lights. Yanking my hair, he pulled me out from under the bed and slammed me on the cushy mattress. When he proceeded to unbuckle his belt, I tried to crawl away even though I knew I wouldn't make it.
"Where do you think you're going, boy? We haven't even started." The nasty edge of his voice jabbed through my gut. He smacks my cheek hard and tears run down my face. "Off to rat on me? Nobody will believe you. Daddy will call you weak again and beat you to a pulp. You know he already hates that you're smaller and weaker than your brothers. Do you really want to give him and the others more reasons to detest you?"
I shuddered at the thought. Father wouldn't spare me. He'll say I was always making excuses for not being as good as my brothers. Nobody will believe our loyal bodyguard can harm a hair on my head. So, I got on my knees quietly and shut my eyes while Tobias had his way. When he flipped me over, a shocked cry ripped through my throat as the pain hit.
I wake up gasping for breath. A film of sweat trickles down my sides despite the chill in the room. My fingers scrabble the sheets as I swallow the trapped screams of pain and terror. The nightmares are rare but incredibly intense when they happen. My eyes pan the dimly lit room desperately. Even though he's long dead, I can't help but feel his ghost might still be lurking around me.
I manage to grope to the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face. My reflection in the mirror is that of a shit-faced drunk. I take a few calming breaths.
"You're fine, Ashely. You're strong. He can't hurt you anymore. Ashton already killed him. You're safe. You're not that wimpy, whiny eight years old kid. You're the ASHLEY ROLLINS now, a grown, strong man." I work a weak smile into my face as I repeat the words.
Tobias had been wrong. If only I had told my brothers earlier, it would have stopped. They believed my every word and the very next morning after I opened up to them, Tobias was found with a slit throat. If I had ever doubted my brothers' love, that sight smoked it all away. Father had said nothing when Ashton told him I killed Tobias for hurting me but he smiled at me genuinely. Ashton has always been one to give up the credit for others.