Page 94 of Follow Me Down

I shiver at the thought.

“Well if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call. I’d be happy to mentor a promising young man like yourself,” my father continues.

“I appreciate that, sir. Thank you.”

“Austin, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Fallon.” He reaches around and pulls me front and center.

I see the recognition on Austin’s face, but he’s quick to cover it up.

“Fallon, so nice to meet you.” He smiles, reaching for my hand.

“Actually, we’ve met before,” I say, watching him retract his hand when I make no attempt to take it.

“I don’t think we have.” He shakes his head. “I must have a familiar face.”

“I’m sorry.” I turn to the two men on my right. “Will you please excuse me?”

Without waiting for a response, I take off through the house like someone lit a fire behind me. I weave in and out of the crowd currently occupying the house, finally managing to duck inside the study.

I press my back to the thick, dark wood, trying my best to regulate my breathing. Tears sting the backs of my eyes and I press them closed.

I can’t do this. I can’t be here.

I can feel a panic attack coming on. The air becomes thick, making it impossible to get a real breath. My heart is hammering inside my chest so hard it feels like it might explode at any moment. And I’m pretty certain it might.

The door against my back jars and I quickly take a step forward, the entire floor threatening to swallow me whole when I see Austin slip into the room.

“What the...” I hammer out, but he cuts me off before I can finish the thought.

“What the hell was that?” He points in the vicinity of where we just came from. “Were you trying to embarrass me in front of your father?”

“Embarrass you?” I stammer. “After what you did to me you’re lucky I just walked away.”

“Don’t be dramatic, Fallon. We both know I didn’t do anything to you.”

My entire head spins.

“Excuse me?” I spit, anger pooling in my chest.

“We were having fun. Things went a little too far.”

“A little too far?” I repeat. “You tried to rape me!” My voice echoes off the walls around us.

“I did not.” He takes a step toward me, his nostrils flaring. “And you would do well to keep your voice down.”

“Do not tell me to keep my voice down. This is my house,” I grind out. “And yes, you did. You tried to rape me. And if I hadn’t been successful in fighting you off, you would’ve. And now you have the nerve to come here, to shake hands with my father like nothing happened. Are you insane?”

“You’re a stupid girl starving for attention. I think you’ve got your facts twisted.”

“And you’re a sociopath.”

“You know what I think?” He takes another step toward me and I immediately take one back. “I think you liked it.”

“I’m sorry?” I question, sure that I must have misheard him.

“You heard me.” He smiles, but not like the smile he gave my father. No, this is dark and dangerous. Alarm bells start going off through my entire body.

I have to get out of here.

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