Page 120 of Campus Crush
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he managed to rasp, but the panic in his voice betrayed him.
“Don’t I?” I pressed harder against his throat, not enough to actually hurt him, but enough to make my point crystal clear. “Jenkins Construction ring a bell? The Fairmont project? What do you think your biggest competitor would pay for detailed information about your payment schedules with Inspector Morrison?”
His face went from red to white again. “You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” I stepped back, finally releasing him from my hold.
“You think you’re protecting her,” my father wheezed, his voice filled with disgust as his eyes flicked toward Abby. “But you’re just delaying the inevitable. I will find a way to?—”
“No.” I cut him off, my voice like steel. “You won’t. Because if you so much as speak her name again, if you contact her employer, if you even think about interfering in her life, I will bury you. I have enough evidence to bring criminal charges for fraud and bribery. Is your hatred of my choices really worth spending your golden years in prison?”
The fight went out of him all at once. His shoulders sagged, and for the first time in my life, Dennis Kane looked old and defeated.
“This isn’t over,” he said, but the words lacked conviction.
“Yes, it is.” I moved to the door and held it open. “Because the next time I see you, I’m calling the police. Get out.”
He straightened his suit jacket with shaking hands, trying to salvage some dignity. His eyes found mine one last time, and I saw something there I’d never seen before—genuine fear of what I might do.
Without another word, he walked out of our apartment, and I hoped he was out of our lives once and for all.
I closed the door behind him and turned the deadbolt, then slumped back against it, the adrenaline finally starting to wear off. My hands were shaking, and I felt like I might throw up.
“Foster?” Abby’s voice was soft, concerned.
I looked up to find her standing a few feet away, her brown eyes wide with worry and something that looked like awe.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
“I should be asking you that. You’re shaking.”
I was shaking. The rush of protective fury was fading, leaving me feeling raw and exposed. “I’m sorry,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry he came here. I’m sorry he tried to touch you. I’m sorry about everything he’s tried to do to you.”
“Hey.” She reached up and cupped my face in her hands, her touch grounding me. “You have nothing to apologize for. You protected us.”
Mason appeared beside her, his face pale but his expression fierce. “Dude, that was awesome,” he said quietly. “The way youjust…damn.”
I couldn’t help but smile a little at his reaction, though my heart was still racing. “Language,” I said weakly.
Abby smiled as her thumbs stroked across my cheekbones, her touch soothing the last of my rage. “Do you really have evidence of all that stuff he did?”
I nodded. “He didn’t revoke my access to his computer files, and when my old boss told me about what he’d found out, I did a little digging and made copies of emails, receipts, and other discrepancies I found in his records. I hope I’ll never have to use it, but I will if he ever comes near you or Mase again. I’ll burn his whole world down before I let him hurt you.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me fiercely. “I love you,” she whispered when she pulled back.
I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight against my chest. Over her shoulder, I caught Mason’s eye. He gave me a solemn nod of approval, and something settled in my chest.
We were safe. Dennis Kane would never have power over any of us again.
We were finally free.
SIXTY
I balanced a stack of textbooks in one arm while trying to unlock the front door with my free hand. My backpack felt like it weighed a ton, and I was exhausted after a long day of classes and a tutoring session. But despite my fatigue, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Things were finally looking up.
When I pushed the door open, I was greeted by the aroma of something delicious cooking. Foster had been experimenting in the kitchen lately, determined to expand his culinary skills beyond our go-to meals of chicken and broccoli, spaghetti, pizza, or mac and cheese.
