Page 2 of Devoted Enough

When she let out a small cry, I ran, grabbed him by the shirt, and yanked him off of her. Then I pulled back my fist and punched him. He stumbled back and fell to the floor.

“Nate!” Haven cried out as she scrambled to the other side of her bed.

“What in the hell were you doing to her?”

David wiped the side of his mouth and stood. “You need to turn around and get the hell out of my house.”

I balled my fists together, prepared to continue this fight, and shook my head. “How could you do that to your daughter?”

“Nate, please. Please don’t make him mad.”

I looked at Haven, and that was when I saw her bruised cheek. “Did he hit you?”

Her eyes darted away, and I had never in my life felt such anger. Turning back to David, all I felt was burning rage, and all I saw was red as I lunged for him, knocking him back onto the floor. Then I just started hitting him in the face over and over until I felt Haven pulling at me.

“Stop! Nate! You’re going to kill him, stop!”

I let her pull me away as I stood and looked at the man lying on the floor, covered in blood. “Doesn’t feel so good getting hit on, does it, asshole? Next time fight someone who can fight back.”

David looked up at me and smirked as he went to wipe the blood from his lips. “What are you going to do, kid?”

“I’ve already called the police.”

Haven gasped next to me. “What?”

Looking at her, I felt the anger rise up again. She looked terrified. So I whispered to her, “I haven’t, Haven, but I will.”

“No! Please, Nate.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “How could you let him get away with this, Haven? If he’ll do that to his own daughter, what will prevent him from doing the same—or worse—to someone else? It’s settled, we’re calling the police.”

David stood, spit out some blood, and bolted out of the room like his ass was on fire. I followed him. “If you think I’m going to let you leave this house, you are crazy.”

David quickly beelined it for his bedroom, went to the closet, and grabbed a duffle bag.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“If you think I’m going to jail for this, you’ve got another thing coming, kid.”

I went to walk over to him again, but felt Haven take my hand and pull me. “Nate, please. Let him go. Please.”

I turned to look at her. “But, Haven, he…”

The look in her eyes caused my voice to trail off.

She swallowed hard and whispered, “Please. I can’t have anyone find out. Please.”

David walked by us and down the steps.

“Haven, he was hurting you. He looked like he was about to...” I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. “His own daughter. We can’t let him get away with that.”

She frantically wiped her tears away. “I can’t…I can’t do this. Please, I’m begging you.”

“Stay here,” I said as I quickly went downstairs. The front door slammed, and I ran out to catch David before he took off. Grabbing him, I pushed him against the truck.

“I swear to God, if you ever come back to Hamilton, get anywhere near Haven, or so much as attempt to contact her, I won’t be calling the cops. I’ll be digging your fucking grave. And I won’t be alone…every male member of my family will happily help bury your sick ass.”

He smirked and pushed me away. “Ain’t nothing here for me anymore anyway.”

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