I hear books crashing to the floor and her strangled cry. “You’re right,” he growls. “You don’t. But if you walk out that door, I will take Cole from you and this baby as well. I will dump you out in the mud with nothing but the clothes on your back. You may have come from money, but I hold all the power in this house.”
I stand in the loft, facing the bed. The front door slamming pulls me out of my memory. The sound of Austin leaving me. She deserves better. Someone who isn’t so fucked up. A man who treats her better than every other fucking bastard in her family.
I run a hand through my hair. My head pounding.
I hurt her. And the worst part is that I liked it. My body physically craved her to a point it was unhealthy. Her cries. Her tears. I fucking took and took. And she didn’t stop me. Why would she? I told her what I wanted to do to her, and she willingly challenged me. She was testing me. And I failed her.
I’ve become my father. The man I despise.
He destroyed my mother. He quit loving her and gave up on her, but I never did. I loved her so much. It didn’t matter that he thought she was broken. To me, that made her special. She was a fighter. Just like Austin is.
Reaching down, I grab the empty bottle of Jack and throw it at the far wall with a shout. It shatters into a million fucking pieces.
My heart pounds in my chest, and I’m gasping for air. That pounding in my head intensifies, making my ears ring. I charge into the bathroom and open the cabinet. Grabbing a couple of Advil, I turn the sink on, cup my hand, and swallow some water to take them. Hoping they will dull the pain enough for me to think straight. To figure out what to do.
Deke was right, once again. Bastard! She’s not safe at her dad’s house. She’s not safe with me either. And she can’t go back to her mom’s.
What are you gonna do about it?
I should protect her. I can protect her. That’s what a man does.
She looked at me as if I planned all of this. My sick game. That I had a vendetta against her from day one due to what her father did to my mother. It wasn’t about that. It wasn’t her fault. Just like it was never Lilly’s fault.
My phone rings in the other room, and I make my way to it. Deke lights up my screen.
“What?” I bark. I’m pissed at him even if he was right. She deserved to know her life is in danger.
“She went home, Cole!” My jaw tightens. “I tried to stop her—”
“You should have fucking forced her,” I snap, interrupting him.
He sighs. “The thought crossed my mind, but Becky was right there. I couldn’t …”
“Couldn’t what?” I question when he trails off.
“Hurt her.”
AUSTIN
“I’m going home,” I tell Deke as we stand outside the clubhouse.
“No, you can’t …”
“I need answers.” And we both know that Cole isn’t going to give them.
“I won’t let you.” Deke comes to stand in front of me. He’s crossed his arms over his broad chest and glares down at me.
At one time, I feared Deke, but that time has passed. “I’m not going to stay with Becky because I’m not going to risk her life. And you’re not going to either.” With that, I yank open my door and get into my car. And take off.
I storm into my father’s house. “Dad? Dad?” I shout.
“What the hell …?” Celeste comes running down the hall. “What happened to you?” she asks wide-eyed, looking over my neck at the bruises and hickeys Cole gave me.
“Where’s my father?” I ask, ignoring her concern.
“He left for Florida earlier this morning. Why? Is something wrong?”
“I know.” I cut to the chase. I’m not in the mood for small talk. I’m fucking pissed.
Her already big eyes grow bigger, and her face pales. “Austin …”
“I fucking know,” I shout. “You think you could keep that from me?” I shake my head. Would they have ever told me that I had a sister? “That I wouldn’t find out?” I dig into my pocket and rip my phone out.
“What are you doing?” she asks in a panic.
“Calling him …”
The phone is ripped from my hand.
“Give me my phone,” I demand.
“You can’t,” she says as tears start to well in her brown eyes. “Please. It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but then it happened again. And again.” Her first tear falls. “I’m so lonely,” she admits, and I stand confused for the second time tonight. She sniffs. “Cole came to me and told me to get him off your back. And I’ve tried, Austin.” She drops my phone and places her hands on my shoulders. “Please understand I’m trying. But Kellan won’t let it go.” She pulls me into her and buries her head into my chest and sobs. “I’m so sorry. I called out Cole’s name while I was with Kellan. Please forgive me.”