Page 97 of Always Right

He brushed his fingers against my face, his beautiful green eyes boring into mine. I swallowed thickly as he leaned in and placed a single kiss on my lips. It was hard not to melt into his touch, even harder not to want to cave and tell him everything, but I didn't have to.

"You're a terrible liar," he murmured with a sad smile. "You don't have to tell me what you're going to do...I already know."

"You do?"

"I have a good idea, yes."

I smiled briefly, breaking his gaze.

"I won't stop you." Relieved, I nodded, relaxing into his body as he spoke to me. "But I need you to be careful. Text me when you get there and please call me when you leave. I just want to know that you're safe, Hannah. Can you do that?"

"I will."

Concern was written all over his face and my heart broke just a little, but I couldn't help the pride and love that invaded every muscle in my body when I realized he was putting my needs over his fears.

What had I done to deserve this man?

He did everything for me, and more. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, closing my eyes and forgetting everything about what awaited outside our home. None of it mattered when he held me, when he comforted me...but I knew I couldn’t hide forever. I had to confront my past...make things right for them...for me. So I could have peace.

“You should go,” Derek said softly, pulling away from me. He caressed the skin of my neck, green eyes buried deep into every pore of my soul. “Really, you should, before I tie you up to that bed so you can’t leave.”

I laughed, earning a smile from him as well. “If you do that I won’t want to leave.”

“Then don’t tempt me.” He leaned in, kissing me once again, this time more demanding than the last. I whimpered when his fingers dug into my skin, bruising and full of ownership and fear. He couldn’t hide it, and he didn’t even try. He leaned his forehead against mine, keeping his eyes closed as he spoke. “Be careful, Hannah. Come back home to me, okay?”

***

I’d never been to that side of town--the side of town that Evie avoided. It wasn’t as bad as everyone said it was. Or perhaps it was because I was more afraid of what I would find. I parked my car on the side of the road, looking at the motel that waited ahead.

It wasn’t as bad as I imagined.

My stomach churned and my heart raced, even more as I stepped out of the car and walked to my moment of truth, one I wasn’t even sure I was ready for. I looked at my phone at the address, making sure I had the right room number, and walked.

Time slowed down as I walked to the building, completely stopping when I arrived at the mahogany colored door that would lead to my father's room, if he was there.

I hoped he wasn't.

I knocked once, twice, holding my breath until the door flung open, my dad appearing inside. His eyes were wide and his expression faltered, like he couldn’t quite believe I was there. The world around me spun as reality caught up with me, destroying every ounce of hope I had left. The look in my father’s eyes was the same...full of despair.

“Hannah...what are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” I took out the single picture I had folded in my pocket, shoving it against his chest and unable to hide my fury. “You have absolutely no right to ask any questions. Not after what you’ve done.”

His mouth gaped as he looked from me to the picture. His brows furrowed and he let out a single scoff, shaking his head as he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into his room. I wiggled myself out of his hold and put distance between us as he slammed the door shut behind him.

“Did anyone follow you here?”

“You don’t ask the questions here, I do” I snapped. “What the hell were you thinking? Taking money from Nathan and Evie? Like you have a right, like you fucking deserve it? After everything they’ve been through? This is going to destroy them.”

“Hannah--”

“And what about me? Huh?” I couldn’t keep the pain from seeping into my voice but was glad when I saw it reflected in his eyes. “You promised me you wouldn’t do this again. You promised.”

“Are you done?” He asked, tossing the picture on the bed. “Because if you would let me talk you would know that I had nothing to do with what happened at the gallery.”

He held my gaze, offended...something I’d never seen before. Had I actually hurt his feelings?

“Yes, Eugene approached me. We talked. That’s what you see in that picture. He called me about some business deal a few days ago and yes, I was interested before I knew what it was about. But the second he told me what he was thinking of doing I said no.” Taking a deep breath, I sat on the bed, glancing at the crumpled up picture beside me. My dad ran a hand through his hair, now more speckled with gray than before.

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