It’s my father’s truck.
Not only does he pull into the driveway, but he pulls in and turns sideways, blocking the exit, so even if somehow I was able to get into a car, I wouldn’t be able to get out.
There’s nothing left to do but run. On top of that, there’s no time.
I don’t even bother to grabanything.
I simply turn around and dash to the back door, which happens to be locked. I want to scream as I unlock it, but I bite my lip as I fiddle with the deadbolt.
After a second or two, it pops free. I grab the handle, tug it open, and find myself face to face with my father.
“Hey there, ya little thief.” He smiles, and my blood runs cold. My knees almost give out from underneath me as I somehow manage to turn around and run, but then I feel his iron grip on the back of my arm.
“Let go of me!” The words rip their way out of my mouth.
I struggle, but it’s absolutely no use. I remember how strong he was now and am instantly taken back to those days when he used to manhandle me as he begins to drag me through Colt’s back yard, around the front toward his truck.
“Thought you could just steal my car and get away with it, huh?” he asks as I kick the dirt, fighting against his grip, which is like an iron vise biting into my wrist. “You should have known I would find you, little bitch. There’s nowhere on this Earth you could go that I won’t find you.”
“G-get off!” I cry out, finally finding the ability to speak. “Let go!”
“Yeah, that ain’t happening.”
I swing up and spin, trying to use my weight to break free of his grip, but all that does is twist his fingers and seem to anger him.
Suddenly, I feel a hot stinging sensation on my cheek and look up to see him snarling down at me.
“Donotdo that again, darlin’. Understand?”
Flashbacks of my life with him come flooding back to me like some kind of horrifying slideshow, and all I can do is nod as he opens the door to his truck and lifts me inside.
11
Colt
I am soaring.
My meeting with Damien honestly couldn’t have gone better, and now I’m heading home to the most incredible woman I could imagine.
Part of me wants to stop off somewhere to pick up a little something to bring her as a surprise, but the rest of me just wants to get back to her so I can be with her.
Besides, I left her alone at home with next to nothing to do. She probably would prefer if I just came home. So instead of stopping off for a surprise gift, I just head straight home, my mind on Tilly the whole way.
I can’t believe how in love with her I am after knowing her this short of a time. It’s like one of those scenarios you see out of a movie and think to yourself,That could never happen!
Only here it is happening to me.
My whole heart, my whole soul, they’re completely hers now, and I don’t even think she understands just how obsessed with her I am. Just how much joy she’s brought into my life.
Hell, I didn’t even understand how much of an emotionless void my life had become until she came into it. Only now am I fully aware.
Nothing can happen to her. I will do anything to make sure of that.
But just as I’m pulling into the driveway at the house, I see something that nearly stops my heart; a truck that doesn’t belong there, as well as a man who shouldn’t belong there who can only be one person:
Tilly’s father.
He looks up as I pull in and park behind him.