Page 67 of Relentless

“I’d do anything to keep the church’s reputation intact, Pastor Underwood,” Susan said, turning away toward her van.

“I’ll be sure Delia gets home safe,” she chimed. “See you at Youth Group, Harper.” Susan climbed into her van and disappeared around the corner.

Harper wanted to cry out for help, but it was too late.

The moment the street was quiet, her father’s pleasant expression contorted. Seizing her arm, he yanked her across the threshold. The heavy front door slammed behind her, and he barreled into her space.

She crossed her arms, looking anywhere but at him. Her eyes focused away to the corner of the room, as she felt his fingers grasp her chin, forcing it upward.

“You look at me when I’m talking to you,” Harris spat, his face flushing beet red.

Her mother’s mousy voice broke through the tension, but not in the defense that Harper so desperately needed.

“Harris, you’ll wake the neighbors.”

“Do you know what it looks like to have a daughter who sneaks out of the house behaving like a prostitute?” he shouted. His fingers gripped her cheeks, painfully pressing them against her teeth. “What are you, drunk? High?”

“I’m not high,” Harper blurted, knowing it was a mistake the moment the words left her lips.

His hand shot up and slammed against her throat, causing her head to smack against the wall. Ringing filled her ears as his shouting devolved into unintelligible screams of rage, his words running together into a chaotic jumble. He showered her face with spatters of spit that flung off his lips.

Clenching her eyes shut, she tried to remember whattheyhad always reinforced.

The discipline was ultimately for her good.

She was responsible for this.

Shehad made him lose his temper.

Experience had taught her that she simply had to stay quiet and compliant until her father regained control of his senses.

The rush of adrenaline stole every rational thought, anger replaced compliance, and fear ultimately won the battle. Harper did the very thing she had been taught was unforgivable.

Her mind went blank — and she shoved him.

Hard.

The force sent her father’s slender frame clattering to the ground in a heap. Her mother screamed and rushed to his side.

“Get away from me,” Harris snarled, scowling at the humiliation of being overpowered by his own daughter. He pushed Vera aside and scrambled to his feet.

Regaining control of her senses, Harper realized what she had just done.

“Dad, I’m — I’m,” Harper stammered, putting up her palms in surrender.

Disgust flashed through her father’s eyes as he clenched his teeth.

“Get out of my sight.”

Harper heard him mutter about her worthlessness as she dashed up the stairs. Her adrenaline began to fade, replaced by a hollowness in her chest. She felt hot tears sting her eyes as she rounded the corner and ducked down the hallway.

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and, as always —

There was Maeve.

Harper leaned her shoulder into the wall, sweeping the rebellious tears away with the back of her hand. She took a fortifying breath to steady herself for her sister’s sake.

“You should be asleep,” Harper scolded, unable to keep her voice from shaking. Going to Maeve’s side, she slid down the wall beside her.

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