Page 20 of Stalker's Pet

“You can come home with me,” Callum offers.

“I want to, but I should talk to him. I need to. He’s the only family that I have.”

Callum’s eyes search my face before he finally nods. “Okay.” I can tell that he doesn’t want to agree, but he’s doing this for me.

“Thank you.” I lift up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek before I hurriedly finish getting dressed.

My phone goes off a few more times, but I ignore it, knowing it will be better to face him than argue over the phone.

Callum walks me to my car and gives me one more kiss before he lets me go. Again, I can see that he doesn’t want to, but he puts aside his feelings so I can do this.

The second I’m through the front door, my father is storming out of his office. His face is more flushed than usual, and he looks livid.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“I was with a friend,” I blurt out. My father can get stern with me, but right now, this is something else. I’ve never been on this side of his temper before.

“I called and messaged you.”

“My phone died.” Okay, this might not be the best time to have this conversation. Maybe he needs time to cool down.

“This is unacceptable! You made me look like a fool this evening when the Rays were here. I couldn't even tell them where you were!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know we had any plans.”

“From now on, you are to go to school and then come straight home. That’s it.” He waves his hand with finality, but it’s not that simple.

“Dad, I’m eighteen.”

“You live under my roof. Everything you have comes from me. You will do as you’re told, or you’ll leave.”

His words are like a slap. Would he throw me out so easily for coming home late one time?

“Dad, please don’t do this.” Tears burn in my eyes. This isn’t how I wanted to have this conversation, but it’s clear that it needs to happen now. “I know you think it’s the right thing for me, but I don’t want to be with Carl. I’m in love with someone else.”

“I told you she’s a whore,” Anne says from behind my father. I didn’t see her standing there, but she’s quick to jump in when it’s time to call me names.

“Shut up, Anne,” my father snaps before turning his glare back at me. “We haven't lived here long enough for you to fall in love with some stupid high school boy.” He looks disgusted by the idea. “All the more reason to pull you out of that school.”

“Dad,” I start to plead, but he cuts me off.

“This conversation is over. You’re dating Carl if the Rays want. You’re going to marry him.”

There’s no reasoning with him, and I can’t say anything that’s going to change his mind. I’m an object for him to trade and nothing more. He doesn’t care about me.

My shoulders sag, and I nod my head. I walk past him and Anne and then up the stairs to my bedroom. When I get there, I grab a bag out of my closet and begin shoving my things into it. I’m not staying here. Not when I can be with Callum.

I know he’d never use or betray me.

Chapter Twelve

CALLUM

Tinsley’s text comes not long after I get home. I tried to go back to my office, but the memory of what we did in that space was too much, and I had to leave. It was physically painful to let her drive away from me tonight, but I had to. As much as I wanted to keep her locked in my office, I knew that it wasn’t possible. At least not yet.

The message merely said come get me, and I ran out of my house. Thank god Charlie wasn’t home. Most of the time she stays with Shay so they can have some privacy. I don’t blame them. After meeting Tinsley, all I can think about is getting her alone.

There’s still so much Tinsley doesn’t know, and it’s time to tell her. Like why I was in the coffee shop all the time and how I knew her father and who she was long before she knew me. Oh yeah, and that her best friend is my niece. Could I have possibly ignored more drama in favor of satisfying my sexual need for her? Clearly.

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