Page 111 of Collided

We’re on the porch when I see a big package sitting next to the door with my details on the top. I pick it up and take it into the kitchen and ask Hope to step into the living room.

“What’s that, sir?” Derek comes around and scrutinizes me as I open the damn box.

“A box of—none of your fucking business.” I glare at him to back off. Of course, he doesn’t.

He frowns. “I believe it is my business.”

This man gets on my fucking nerves.

Ignoring him, I cut open the box and peek inside. The entire collection of Harry Potter series sits in the box. I might have gone a little overboard and bought two sets; one is illustrated and the other is original.

Derek peeks over my shoulder. “Since when do you read children’s books, sir?”

Immediately I close the flaps. “Step back, Derek.”

Derek eyes me skeptically like he can see right through me. It annoys the shit out of me. I don’t want him to see too much and figure out how certain emotions are flying inside of me when Hope is near me and how my pulse quickens. He doesn’t need to know any of it.

Taking the box with me, I ask Hope to come with me upstairs. I don’t like how Derek watches Hope. Last time he even dared to interrogate her. I’m sure Father Dearest already knows about Hope.

Fucking great.

I click in the lock and suddenly the air thickens.

I’m alone with Hope in my room.

The fact shouldn’t bother me when it isn’t my first time, but it keeps coming to the forefront of my mind like a warning sign.

My heart races.Calm the fuck down.

I place the box on the coffee table. “This is for you.”

Her eyes widen. “For me? What is it?”

“See for yourself.”

“You didn’t need to.”

“You won’t be saying that after you see what’s inside.”

I watch as she approaches the box and looks inside.

A gasp leaves past her lips. “No… you didn’t.”

Retrieving the two sets, she takes out every single book.

I notice her hands are shaking.

Instead of a smile, there is a shift in the air that slows the blood flow in my veins.

Did I get it fucking wrong?

Never mind. I’ll just order it again until I get it right.

Hope turns to me and tears are glistening in her eyes.

That doesn’t look good. I’ll get her new ones if they aren’t what she wants. I’ll get her—

Running up to me, she knocks straight into my chest like a lightning bolt. Electric shocks jam every single nerve in my body. I can hardly breathe.

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