Page 98 of Follow Me Down

It isn’t until we’re on the road, driving away from her father’s house, that Fallon finally breaks the silence.

“My father set the whole thing up. He bribed those police officers. They were just waiting for the opportunity to strike.”

“I know.” I nod. “Actually, believe it or not, it was Link who put two and two together.”

“I was afraid you would think that I left because of what happened.”

“Not gonna lie. At first, I did.”

“I knew my father was capable of many things, but I never thought he’d be capable of doing something like that. I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” I wrap my fingers around hers, keeping the other hand on the steering wheel.

Even though I was pretty sure her father had something to do with everything that went down that night, hearing her confirm it lifts a heavy weight off my shoulders, making me feel like I can breathe again for the first time in days.

“My father had you thrown in jail.”

“You don’t have to remind me. I was there.” I chuckle, lifting her hand to kiss across her knuckles. “If anyone understands what it’s like to have a powerful, controlling father, it’s me. I would never hold your father’s actions against you. You have to know that.”

“Still, I’m really so sorry. And I’m sorry I left the way I did. He told me if I didn’t he would make sure you ended up in prison. Getting in that car, while impossible, was a lot easier than imagining you sitting behind bars for years. He found my Achilles’ heel and he sliced it right open. I tried to figure out how to reach you, but he had me on such close watch I felt like I couldn’t do anything without him knowing. And I couldn’t risk him following through with his threat. I knew there was a way out, I just wasn’t sure how to take it. That is, until tonight.”

“What happened tonight?”

“I gave my father a taste of his own medicine.” She smiles to herself. “The party tonight was a celebration my father was throwing for Tom Parkin, the man my father has endorsed for mayor this fall. Well, as it turns out Tom is Austin’s father.”

“Austin?” I arch a brow, the name forever etched into my brain after Fallon told me what he did to her. Certainly it’s not the same Austin...

“Yep,thatAustin. He was there tonight. He threatened me. And you know what, I’m glad he did. Because had he not, I may not have done what I did.”

It takes every ounce of restraint I have not to whip the truck around and head back to that house and beat the shit out of that mother fucker. And as badly as I want to, I know that’s the last thing Fallon needs right now.

No, what she needs is to feel safe. Safe with me.

“What did you do?” I ask when she pauses.

“I told my father what happened. He, of course, refused to believe that Tom Parkin’s son would be capable of such a thing. And it’s not that he didn’t believe it. But admitting he believed it would look bad for business. So, he did what he’s always done. He pretended like it wasn’t a problem. It was there, in that moment, that I realized he was never going to love me the way I deserved. So, for the first time in my life, I stood up to him. I told him that if he didn’t let me go, that if he didn’t letusbe, that I would go public. That I would tell the world what Austin did to me and that when I told my father he tried to cover it up. I basically promised to single handedly ruin his entire career.”

“And how did it feel?”

“Incredible.” She lets out a heavy breath. “Better than I could have ever imagined it would. Because now I’m not cowering and hiding from him. I don’t have to look over my shoulder. I don’t have to worry about when he’ll show up next or what stunt he might try to pull. I really think I got through to him, and I think deep down he knows how serious I am. I’m finally free.” I glance away from the road just in time to see the smile that touches her lips.

“So it’s just you and me now?”

“Well, and Link.” She giggles.

“And Link.” I grin, finding it damn near impossible to keep my focus on the road when all I want to do is look at her.

I’ve gone through so many emotions over the past few days. Anger. Disbelief. Sadness. More anger. I hadn’t felt so helpless since I was a teenager. Because no matter what I did, I’d lose.

I couldn’t go to her. Hell, I didn’t even know for sure if she wanted me to.

But I couldn’t stay away from her, either. It nearly fucking killed me to do so these last few days.

But once I saw her text message, once I knew the truth directly from her, there was no way I wasn’t going to get my girl. And now she’s here, next to me. And all is right with the fucking world again.

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