Page 3 of After the Fall

“Dad.” She dropped to her knees in front of the creature in the ripped clothes. I held my breath as she reached for his hands. Harper’s heart thumped loud and fast, and I could smell the adrenaline surging through her body. My own heart thudded against my chest as the woman I loved touched the creature.

A tear dropped from his eye, disappearing into his thick, full beard. He looked like a huge, hairy, hermit bushman – one with bare feet in October. The soles of his feet looked like leather, and he smelled like a matted dog that had been sprayed by ten thousand skunks.

His fingertips reached for Harper’s. “I… I’m sorry, Sunbeam.”

When Harper’s nickname came out of the creature’s mouth, I was shocked. It was hard to understand how such a hideous beast could be related to the beautiful woman I loved.

“Sunbeam,” he repeated. “You need to hide. And change your name.” He looked over Harper’s shoulder, his eyes pleading with mine. “And you – you need to keep her safe.”

Keep her safe. It was the exact promise I’d made to Harper months earlier.

It was becoming more evident that the creature wasn’t going to hurt Harper, and it was highly likely that it was indeed her missing father.

I took a deep breath and crossed the room in three strides to rest my hand on Harper’s shoulder. “I will protect your daughter. But first I need to know who or what I’m protecting her from.”

The creature nodded and squeezed Harper’s hands.

“Can you take these off?” She pointed to the rope.

“Boss.” Tank stepped toward us, scowling.

I held up my hand. Up close, I could see the gauntness of his cheeks beneath the beard, and the slight hollowing of his eyes. He was weak. If he had bad intentions, he could easily beovertaken by the rest of us, healthy and nearing the prime of our lives.

“You will stay in this chair,” I stated.

He nodded and held up his hands, so I untied the rope, coiling it up. A rope could be a useful weapon if used properly. I wouldn’t hesitate to strangle the shit out of him if he posed a threat to any of us.

To my disapproval, Harper wrapped her arms around the man. I kept my hand on her shoulder, and her body heaved under my palm as her back wracked with a sob. My heart ached for her. She had been traumatized by his disappearance over a decade ago, and had only recently moved on, accepting that he was gone forever. Now, that bastard was back. And I’d be damned if I was going to let him hurt her again.

I let Harper cry in her father’s arms. “Dad. Where have you been all these years?” Her voice was raspy when she finally pulled away from him.

“I’m losing my w-w-words.” He pointed to his throat. “L-listen to me. You’re not safe.”

“Enough.” I helped Harper to her feet. “If you’re losing your words – whatever the fuck that even means, you better choose the next few wisely, and tell us exactly why we’re all in danger.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped and nodded.

I wrapped my arm around Harper’s shoulder and pulled her protectively against my body.

“G-G-G-G—” He stuttered, followed by a loud roar. His frustration was palpable. He took a breath and squeezed the arms of the chair.

“What is it, Dad?” Harper quivered in my arms and I wondered if the shock of seeing her father was wearing off.

“G-G-G-G—” The arm of the chair cracked in his grip as he tried to speak.

“Come on,” Tank groaned. “Why are we listening to this—”

I held up my hand, stopping Tank midsentence before he could insult my mate’s father. As much as I was disturbed by the presence of him, I knew that I was going to have to be supportive – for Harper.

“Boss.” Atticus stepped into the room from the shadows. “He needs some moss.”

Of course. I hadn’t recognized his struggle, even though I’d been there myself. I dug into the pocket of my jeans and pulled out a baggie of white moss. “Here. Take this.”

He inhaled heavily and grabbed the baggie from me, slipping a chunk of the dried moss into his mouth.

“Give him a second. Tank, get him some water.”

Tank rolled his eyes, but returned with a glass of water. Harper’s dad chugged the entire glass and wiped his mouth with the tattered sleeve of his plaid shirt.

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