Page 121 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore

“Hmm. When you’re turned on, one of your eyes twitch.”

My head tilts. “Bullshit.”

She laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’m dead serious.” She proceeds to kiss the crook of my neck, and my cock jerks as she nips at my earlobe. I groan, leaning into her stomach. When she pulls away to look at me, her lips curve. “Told you. Your eye just twitched.

I growl, lifting her up and placing her on the counter. I lean in, leaving a trail of kisses along her cheek and neck.

“Alec,” she says softly. “Can we talk for a minute?”

I stop what I’m doing and take her in for a moment. “What is it?”

She moves the small piece of hair that slipped out of her low bun behind her ear. “You might not like it, but I think we should talk to your aunt.”

That was not what I was expecting.

I laugh. It’s loud, and I don’t mean to. “You think talking to my aunt is going to go over well?”

Summer shrugs. “It might not, but with my father out of the picture. I think it’s worth trying. I mean, he did tamper with your case, and as far as I’m aware, he’s lost his badge for good. And I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m pretty damn good at getting what I want.”

I take a few minutes to think about what she’s saying. There is a very good chance that my aunt Jules will drop the restraining order if she’s aware of the crimes Raleigh has done. If she refuses, I can easily take her to court. The charges against me and the restraining order can be dropped.

And I’d give anything to see my baby sister whenever I want to again.

“What do you say?” Summer asks.

I smile. “It’s certainly worth trying.”

Chapter Forty-four

Summer

As I finish touching up my makeup, I make sure I don’t apply anything directly on the small scar on my high cheekbone. The two stitches were removed a couple of days ago, but I’ve been cautious of having anything on the scar.

I know I shouldn’t be worried as much as I am. Allen specifically told me that everything was going to turn out the way it should, and even spoke directly to Kayse, the lawyer hired for my case against my father, who also stated that he most certainly wouldn’t be off the hook. But there is still this gut-wrenching feeling I have in the pit of my stomach.

“It’ll pass,” I tell myself, breathing softly as I adjust the hem of the fancy blue blouse Chloe lent me.

There is one thing to look forward to after the hearing… reuniting Alec and his sister. Given what Alec has told me about Jules, it won't be easy, but I’m determined and looking forward to the challenge. With two big things planned in one day, it’s overwhelming, but I needed something else to flood my mind and keep from thinking of the worst case.

“You’re beautiful.”

I’m startled slightly, turning to see Alec leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and one leg over the other. He looks amazing, dressed in a casual button-up plaid shirt and light-washed jeans. His hair is styled neatly. He’s truly breathtaking.

“How long have you been standing there?” I ask, looking back at myself in the mirror, dread continuing to wash over me.

“Long enough to know you’re second-guessing going today.” Our eyes meet through the mirror. He pushes off the frame, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin lightly on my shoulder.

I swallow through the thickness in my throat and look down at my hands holding onto the edge of the sink. “I need to be there.”

“Then I suppose should we get going.”

I lean into him, allowing the comfort of his body against mine to take me to a beautiful place long enough to feel a little more at ease before cleaning up my makeup scattered all over the sink and slipping my brand-new black flats on. I removed the air cast for today, not wanting it to be the focus of my outfit while we’re at the courthouse. Thankfully, my foot has healed much faster than the doctors and I anticipated. Probably because Alec barely lets me do things on my own with the fear that I will hurt myself more.

Alec locks his fingers with mine, pulling me to the front door. After coming home from the hospital a week ago, Alec had James grab a new door, and they both goofed around while installing it. The memories of my father in the kitchen with a gun digging into Alec’s head still haunts me, but I’m thankful I don’t have a bullet hole to stare at every day.

Alec locks up the apartment. When we get to the car, he opens the door for me, and I slip inside easily, forcing myself to take a few deep breaths while Alec walks around the car to get into the driver's side. He has this tendency to know exactly how I’m feeling, but I do my best to hide the fear that consumes me.

Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, Alec holds my hand with the other the entire drive to the courthouse. My heart starts to pound against my chest as we walk into the building and through the metal detectors. My clammy hands give away the anxiety stored inside of me as we reach Officer Brentley and Kayse.

---