Page 86 of Chasing Xander
“Yes.” But her voice was even less confident than she felt.
“I can only give you five minutes.” He stopped outside of an interrogation room. “He’s cuffed, and I’ll be right outside the door. Just holler if you need me, okay?”
She nodded, took a deep breath, and then walked into the room. Her father sat slumped in a chair, his cuffed hands resting on the table. His hair was a mess, his lip was cut and starting to swell, both of his eyes were bruised, and there was a butterfly bandage across the bridge of his nose. Sadly, this wasn’t the worst he’d ever looked.
“Father,” she said coolly.
He grunted. “What do you want?”
“I want to know why.”
“Why what? I hit the punk because he hit me first. Little fucker deserved more, and he woulda gotten it if that prick sheriff hadn’t shown up.”
“No.” Hanging her head, she sighed. “I want to know why you’re like this.” She moved farther into the room, her stomach knotted so tight she could barely breathe. “The night we buried Mom, you left me home alone so you could go get drunk.” Her voice cracked. “You chose to stop being my dad, and I want to know why. I was just a child, and I lost her, too, you know. What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?” Throat clogged with emotion, she forced a deep breath.
He slammed his fists on the table, making her jump. She put her hand over her racing heart, impending tears burning her eyes. “I loved your mother. She was my world.”
“Then why did you abandon me? You know that’s not what she would have wanted.”
“Yeah, well, maybe she shouldn’t have gone and gotten herself killed, then.” He sat back in the chair, his hands hanging between his legs. He turned his head away as if disgusted by the mere sight of her.
Pain sliced through her chest, and her knees became weak. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away with shaking hands before he could see how much his words hurt. “You’ve done nothing for me my entire life, but I believe you used to love me.” She shook her head. “Maybe you don’t anymore, but you used to at one time. I know you did.” Her lips trembled, and she licked them. “Before you started drinking, you were a good dad. And I’m asking you now—if you ever loved me, if there’s a shred of decency in your heart, please don’t tell the judge that Xander attacked you. Tell Sheriff Rick you were wrong about what happened.”
He remained perfectly still, and the seconds ticked by in total silence. She shifted on her feet. Finally, he looked at her, his gaze stone-cold. “How much is it worth to you?”
She half gasped, half sobbed, although she didn’t know why she was shocked by his response. He wanted the money, and she’d given him an opening to get it. She bit the inside of her cheek and shifted her weight again. An assault charge could ruin Xander’s life. How could she let that happen if she had the means to prevent it?
Squaring her shoulders, she held her head high. “All of it.”
…
“So, it’s done, right?” She paced in front of Sheriff Rick’s desk. Her hands hadn’t stopped shaking since she’d left her father, and her heart hadn’t slowed, either. “Xander won’t be charged with anything, right?”
“Yes, I will take care of everything. Now sit, before you wear a hole in the floor.” He stood, the key ring fastened to his belt jingling.
“I’m too nervous to sit.”
“Sheriff Rick, there’s a gentleman here for Xander Collins.” Officer Gina stepped aside, and a tall, mirror image of Xander walked in, followed by a gorgeous woman with to-die-for curls and stunning brown eyes.
Kylie stepped back and blinked, her legs banging against the desk. They looked like a couple made in Hollywood.
“Can I help you?” Sheriff Rick asked.
The guy stepped forward. “Tanner Collins. I’m here for my brother, Xander.”
Rick nodded. “I was actually just going to get him. Stay here, and I’ll be right back.” Rick glanced at Kylie, and she turned her focus to Tanner. She’d hit the sexy guy jackpot with Xander, but now there was another one of him?
The girl looped her arm through his and whispered something in his ear. They both seemed oblivious to her. A moment later, Rick returned with Xander in tow. Kylie let out a pent-up breath. His right eye was a little swollen and bruised, but he’d fared much better than her father had.
“There’s my jailbird brother!” Tanner held open his arms like he was expecting a hug.
“Tanner!” The girl elbowed his ribs and gave him a dirty look. “Be nice.”
Xander flipped his brother the middle finger. “Hey, Jules.”
“Xander.” She hugged him. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better. Thanks for coming. Both of you.” He glanced at Tanner.
