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My fingers tightened around the steering wheel, pulling at the scrapes on my knuckles and reminding me of our fight. I shouldn’t be surprised. My brother was a chip off the old block and Lou had his nose shoved so far up my ass he could smell what I had for breakfast.
Wasn’t the first time Micha pissed me off, but it was the first time I sucker punched him over it. Or should I say, overher.
My gaze slid over to Harper, who was staring at me with wide eyes. What the fuck was she looking at? This was all her fault. I guess it didn’t matter. It was over with now. Besides, I had better things to concentrate on.
Like why the fuck she’s looking at me.
Moonlight glittered off those big brown orbs, taunting me to give her a firsthand experience of a deer caught in headlights. How wide would her eyes go if I kicked her ass out and revved the engine? That was one way to find out how fast she could run.
I blew out a breath while stretching the tension out of my neck. There was no reason to get all worked up. Things were finally going my way. I had the lying bitch in my clutches, and this time she didn’t have any cops to hide behind…
“Stupid Dad,”I grumbled while snatching my sweater off my dresser.
Didn’t he realize there were more important things to worry about than being warm? Someone hurt Harper. I needed to get to her. Micha said we’d find who did it and make them pay, but all I wanted to do right now was make sure she was okay.
Everyone kept telling me that Harper was fine, but they didn’t get it. She was mine. It was my job to protect her. If I hadn’t left her house last night then she’d be fine, instead of in the hospital. This was all my fault.
I swept the tears off my cheek and tore down the stairs. Harper didn’t need to see me upset. I had to be strong so she’d know that I could keep her safe.
But could I?
My wife was laying in a hospital bed because I didn’t do my job. What if I failed again? Would she survive, or would I lose her forever?
No!
That wouldn’t happen. If I had to glue myself to her side, I’d make sure she was always protected. She’d never be left alone again. That’s when monsters attacked. When you were alone in the dark, they jumped out of the shadows and snatched you up.
That’s when my monster came. When no one could hear me scream. But that was okay, because as long as he was coming for me, he left her alone.
Maybe he did get her?
I knew Ryker was dead. We had a funeral for him and everything, but I overheard Micha and Logan whispering about how no one could find out what happened. Maybe Ryker wasn’t dead? Maybe he was just stronger? That thought alone was enough to send a shiver down my spine.
I had to get to Harper!
Tugging the sleeves of my sweater on my arms, I ran into my dad’s study and announced, “I’m ready.”
My dad wasn’t alone.
Three uniformed men turned and looked at me. One of whom was the deputy sheriff. My heart lurched out of my chest. Were they here because of Harper? Was she hurt worse than I thought? Was she dead?
The monster did get her.
The deputy sheriff tipped his head and frowned. “Hello Mason.”
He wasn’t the only one whose lips were turned down. My dad wasn’t saying anything. He was just standing there with sadness in his eyes. The last time he looked that sullen was when Mom died.
I woke up in the hospital and there he was, staring at me just like that. He told me we had an accident, but I knew that was a lie. Micha was way too mad for it to be just an accident.
Was that why my dad was looking at me like that? Was Harper dead too? I couldn’t breathe. She had to be okay. She just had to. I couldn’t live without her.
“Mason…”
I stepped forward, cutting the deputy sheriff off, “Is Harper alright?”
I needed to know.
My heart dropped right along with Deputy Adams as he crouched down to my height. “Harper’s fine.”
