Page 41 of Hidden Memories

And as much as I love that about her—the way she thinks things through, considers every angle—right now, it’s fucking killing me.

Say yes, baby, say yes.

Finally, she speaks.

“The only place I breathe is here with you.” A gentle smile ghosts her lips. “Yes.”

I crash my lips to hers. It’s a kiss unlike any we’ve shared before—deep, soul-claiming, a promise and a prayer. And when we finally pull apart, breathless, hearts pounding, we make a plan.

I’m going to steal the princess right out of her tower.

And make her my queen.

Chapter Ten

PRESENT

I listento the phone line ringing on the other end, and my heart flutters a million beats per minute. I don’t want any more contact with my father, but if he thinks he can come and intimidate me, and more than that, my son, he is going to be met with my wrath. So today, I’m telling him that.

How many times is he going to let it ring?

Last night, I had a long talk with Julia. We stayed up until nearly midnight talking about my family, my father. She’s an incredible woman. Supportive.Strong. And she promised Theo and I can stay here as long as we want, and work at Heritage, until we get on our feet.

I don’t know why she’d be so kind to a stranger but I get the feeling there’s something in the water in Echo Valley because Callum didn’t wait one minute for me and Theo to wonder about our safety. And Julia didn’t need one to say yes.

I’ve never had a support system like what this seems to be becoming. One that gives without taking. This is what I want in my new life.

So when I woke in the morning, I decided to stop avoiding my father and start setting boundaries.

Julia passes the doorway of the bedroom I’ve been given at her house, peeks in, and seeing me on the phone shuts the door so I have privacy.

Behind it, her words are muted. “Theo, you want to take Keeper out to the yard and throw him a ball with me?”

Just then, my dad’s voice comes on the line. “It’s about time, Katinka.”

I swallow hard. This act of defiance is not only huge. It’s my last. I may never speak to my father again after this. I know it’s cowardly, but I’m glad we’re not face-to-face.

I recite the words I practiced more than a few times in the mirror this morning. “I’m only calling to say your interference in my life, and in Theo’s, isn’t something I’m going to accept anymore. If you ever do anything like break into our house again or leave a message to intimidate us, I will file for a restraining order.”

He breaks out in roaring laughter.

My heart stops.

When he calms down, he deadpans, “What on earth are you talking about, you silly girl? I did no such thing as breakinto your house. You make me out to be some ordinary thug?”

I knew he’d deny it. “What were you looking for?”

“I was never there.”

“Our farmhouse was ransacked, Dad. The note?”

“What note? As if I’d leave you a note! I’ve been texting you every day. I can call you. Hell, I could just drive to you right now if I wanted to…”

Which was why I turned off my location services this morning. He does still know I’m at Julia’s, but if I find a new place to live, he’ll need to hear it from me.

“Are you going to give any explanation with this insane accusation of yours or do you need to get on meds again?”

That comment has my heart jumping to my throat, making it hard to breathe. I take a moment to compose myself.

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