Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Me: I want this to stop.
Dad: Then we need to talk.
Me: What is this?
I chew on my bottom lip, feeling guilty. I haven’t spoken to my father in years, and here he is. I can say anything, and I’m being short with him. I have to remind myself this is his doing, and he’s hurt Eros. His cheek is still healing.
Dad: In person. Anyone could be reading this.
I do want to see him. I’m not sure how Eros would feel about that.
Me: Okay, but I’m bringing Eros.
Dad: No
His response is fast this time.
Me: Yes, I am.
I push right back.
Dad: I have to know this is all your own free will. Once I see and speak to you in person, alone, and you tell me you want to be where you are, I’ll back away. Until then, I will take out the Marinos one at a time.
A gasp rips from me. Tears sting at my eyes. I take another deep breath, not wanting to cry again. Once the floodgates open, they take forever to stop.
Me: I’d never forgive you.
Dad: I’d never forgive myself either if something happened to you.
This isn't a round I'm going to win with him.
Dad: I miss you.
A stupid tear escapes, and I swipe it away. I miss him too. I shouldn't, but I do nonetheless, even if I don't want to.
Me: Okay, I'll meet you. When and where?
Dad: I'll let you know.
I should leave it at that, but I can't help myself.
Me: I miss you, too.
The bedroom door opens, and I quickly close my laptop, Eros entering the room.
"I was hoping I'd get back before you woke up."
"It's okay. I know you have things to handle." I drop my head back when he makes it to me. Eros presses his mouth to mine, his fingers slipping into my hair.
“The only thing I want to handle is you.” I reach up and brush my fingers across his face, right below the cut on his cheek. Eros's face softens in a way I know only I get from him.
“I want to know how you’re handling things.”
“I’m good.” He picks up my laptop, setting it on the nightstand before sitting down on the bed next to me, pulling me into his lap to straddle him.
“Are you really? You always want to know how I feel. I want to be able to do the same.”
"If I tell you how I feel, then you've got to tell me the same in return about everything that's gone down."
“It’s all been a lot to process. Today sent me a bit over the edge,” I tell him.
“I’m sure. Your father showed up, and now we don’t know if the people who are supposed to be protecting you are dirty.”
“There is that, but that’s not what’s been overwhelming.”
“Then, what?”
“I once saw my father murder a boy who picked on me. Then I found out he was a serial killer, and my whole world flipped upside down. I told myself that I wouldn’t go through that again. You can’t lose people if you don’t have people.”
“You shouldn’t have to live that way. Sounds lonely.”
“It was. I didn’t want to go through it again, but I never thought it could be worse. You know? I just didn’t want to do it over again. But today—” Tears burn at my eyes, but I try to push them back, swallowing. “Today, I realized how wrong I was. It can get worse.”
“Everything will be okay.” I know he wants to reassure me and make me feel better, but in this, he can’t. You can’t control emotions, including your own. If only it were so easy.
"It's not okay. You could have died too."
"Bont—"
"I can't lose you. Do you hear me? You and your stupid, barbaric, sociopathic Neanderthal ways went and made me fall in love with you." His eyes widen a fraction. "And it's not even like this normal love you have for your family or cat." I glance at Binx. "No offense," I tell him. "It's this overwhelming, inexplicable love for my kidnapper. It's bullshit." I huff. “And I’m mad at you about it. This is one thousand percent your fault that I’m in this situation.”
“You’re mad at me about it?” He cocks his head to the side, the corners of his mouth starting to turn up.
“You better not give me a rare smile.” I smack his shoulder. “That will make it worse.”
“Sorry, Hellcat.” He smiles, a full-on smile, and there is a freaking dimple! “I can’t help myself, but in my defense, I’m a barbaric, sociopathic Neanderthal.” One that I’ve fallen madly in love and want a future with.
“Whatever.” I poke the dimple. “When did you go and get a dimple?”
“Got it just for you.”
“You’re a jerk.” I wrap myself around him, burying my face in his neck, clinging to him. His hand moves up and down my back gently.