Page 14 of Falling

I was so terrified he’d find us that I stayed awake. It was the first time I saw him strike my best friend. It’s something I’ve never forgotten. When Rand went to work for him after college, I followed him. The thought of their father continuing to terrorize them was more than I could let pass. I’ve hovered around ever since.

As far as I know, Geneva’s father has never struck her. I would kill him if he did. Instead, most of his wrath was saved for his son. He didn’t know what to do with me when I stepped between them.

My brother said I was too invested in their welfare. But what else could I do? My family didn’t act like that. I couldn’t walk away from that situation.

It took a lot of convincing to talk Geneva into leaving her father’s company. I think she held to the conviction that the devil you know is better than the unknown. She needs to embrace the unknown.

She’s too smart to be relegated to the sidelines where her father thought she belonged just because she was born female. Geneva can do anything she sets her mind to. Usually better than the rest of us.

I’m a little worried about the gleam in her eyes when I mentioned stopping in Las Vegas. I know she’s spent several long weekends there over the years. I try not to think about what mischief she got into. Or what mischief she plans for us. Whatever is swirling in that pretty head of hers will be outrageous. With any luck, there will be no tigers or face tattoos involved.

We travel like this for miles. She’s stretched across the front with her feet resting in my lap. Her dark hair is in a braid that reaches to the small of her back. Her small hands are tucked under her cheek. They can be lethal in the sparring ring when they need to.

Her legs are encased in skin-tight leggings. They go on for miles when she’s dressed up for a formal event. In the sky-high heels she wears, she’s almost my height.

“Are you watching me?” she asks in a sleepy voice.

“Just checking on you.”

“You’re always checking on me.” She rearranges her pillow. “Ever since we were in the boathouse.”

“I didn’t think you’d remember that.”

“How can I not?” I tuck the blanket tighter over her feet. “Pressed between you and Rand, it was the first time I felt truly safe.”

She drifts back to sleep, and I focus on the road in front of me. If I don’t, I might pull over and drag her into my lap. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. To feel safe. Happy. It’s why Rand trusts me to take care of her. We want the same thing.

The miles tick away under us. With each mile, I fall harder for Geneva. How can I not? A hole opens in my heart that I wish she could fill. But her trust in me has to come at a price. I can’t lose what we have. My friendship with her and her brother is too sacred to mess up.

“Hey, sweetheart. We’re almost there,” I say, rousing her from sleep. We’re on the outskirts of Las Vegas.

“Really?” She stretches her arms above her head. A thin strip of skin between her shirt and leggings captures my attention. “How long was I out?”

“A couple of hours.”

“I must have really needed some rest,” she says. “All the packing wore me out, I guess.” She sits up as we roll through the suburbs. “I love the lights.”

The lights are about the only thing I like about this town, although I’ve never spent much time here. I grew up in a small town in Virginia. Las Vegas was always just a fictional world on television. Rand insisted we spend my twenty-first birthday here, but it wasn’t for me. All the drinking and lap dances just left me feeling empty.

Not that I’m a prude. I like to drink and dance as much as the next guy. In moderation. Too much of anything isn’t fun. I woke up the morning after my birthday in a strange place with a strange person. It was my first and last walk of shame.

“I can’t wait to see where we’re staying,” Geneva says, interrupting my thoughts. “I hope you’re up for an adventure.”

“Why? What do you have in mind?”

“Nothing you can’t handle.” She smiles. “Don’t worry, Peter. I’ll be gentle on you.”

That’s what worries me most. Vicious Geneva I can handle. Gentle Geneva? I’ve not seen that side very often. It terrifies me. I just pray there are no random babies involved.

“You know we still have to be in Austin in a week, right?” I ask.

“You worry too much.” She shakes her head. “Austin’s a world away. I say live in the moment.”

Lord, help me.

six

PETER

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