Page 79 of Guarded from Corruption

“Mom,” I finally say. “I should get back out to Niall. It’s rude leaving him alone this long.”

“Oh, no, Jade.” She drops the picture she’s describing and looks at me. “I have so much more to talk to you about. And…” Her brow squinches. “Your young man. We need to talk about him.”

At this point, I’m pretty much done with all this. I want to get back to Niall and wrap this visit up. Head home and make love and have lasagna and watch the newest Marvel movie Niall’s been waiting to see.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “Another time.”

“Jade, please.” Her eyes widen, pleading with me. “Just stay. A little longer.”

“Just a few more minutes.”

“Oh, good!” Her phone buzzes, and she glances over at where it’s face down on the mattress. Picking it up, she quickly taps out a text and then says, “Just your father. Wanting to make sure we’re having a pleasant time talking. Isn’t that sweet?”

I’m not sure I’d call my father sweet, but okay.

Just as my mother finally says, “Well. Your young man is handsome. I’ll give him that,” my father walks into the room and shuts the door behind him.

He has a strange look on his face, kind of eager and nervous at the same time.

“Jade.” His tone is cold. Commanding. “It’s time to go.”

I’m confused. Did something happen with Niall? An argument? Our visits have never been the most pleasant, but I’ve never been instructed to leave the house before.

But I slide off the bed and say slowly, “Okay. I’ll leave. I’ll just get Niall.”

He walks closer, and there’s this odd glint in his eyes. “No, Jade. You’re not leaving with Niall. You’re coming with me.”

What?

I cast a quick glance at my mother, but she’s still smiling like this is completely normal.

“I’m not leaving without Niall.” I start to veer around my father as I add, “I don’t know what happened, but I’m going to get Niall and leave. We can talk about this another time.”

“No, Jade.” His voice goes flinty. “You don’t understand. You’re not going with him. You’re coming with me.”

“No.” Now I’m angry. “I’m leaving. This isn’t okay.”

“Stop.” It’s a whip cracking. “Don’t make this complicated.”

What?

Then.

He pulls out a gun.

Everything stops.

My father. Holding a gun.

Pointing it at me.

I don’t understand.

“Obviously, I don’t want to shoot you.” His blue eyes, so much like mine, turn icy. “But I need to get your attention.”

“What?”

My brain doesn’t want to work. Everything is splintered. I can’t pull my thoughts together.

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