Page 59 of Follow Me Down

“He can throw everything in his arsenal at me, it won’t make me want you here any less. And you’re wrong, Fallon. You are worth it.” I turn so that I’m facing her head on, both of my hands on her shoulders. “You are more than worth it.”

Her chin quivers again and fuck if the sight doesn’t feel like a knife stabbing me straight in the chest.

I don’t know when it happened. When I went from wanting this girl physically to feeling like I need her emotionally. But the thought of her walking out my door and never coming back is more than I can fucking bare.

She’s gotten under my skin in a way no woman ever has before. I’ll be damned if I lose her over something like this.

If anyone can understand what it’s like to have powerful, influential parents, with unlimited resources at their fingertips, it’s me. When I left, my father didn’t let me do so peacefully. But like Fallon, he couldn’t stop me.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who my father is.”

“You weren’t ready to share that part of your life yet. I get it. Fuck, if anyone gets it, I do. When I first broke free of my parents I didn’t tell anyone about my family or where I came from.”

She nods, still seeming unsure.

“Fallon, listen.” I slide my hands up to cup her face. “I don’t give a shit who your father is. It doesn’t change what’s happening here.”

“And what exactly is happening here?” She looks up at me through thick, full lashes, still wet with tears.

“Honestly, I don’t know. But whatever it is, I like it. A lot,” I admit, even though it’s difficult for me to do. I’ve never been good at opening up to someone, but with Fallon I want her to know all of me.

“Me too.” A trace of a smile pulls at her lips.

“Fuck him. Fuck his threats. He can’t do shit and he knows it.”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t try.”

“Let him. It won’t make a fucking bit of difference.” I bend my knees so that I’m eye level with her. “You’re mine now. You understand me? And I protect what’s mine.” I lean in, laying a soft kiss to her perfect, pink lips. “Come on.” I pull back. “Let’s get inside.”

She nods, waiting until I pull open the door before heading into the cabin. I follow in behind her, finding Link at the kitchen counter, watching us.

I shake my head at him, telling him not to say anything. He gives me a nod of understanding.

I follow Fallon back to the bedroom, closing the door as she takes a seat on the edge of the bed.

“I don’t know when he became this person,” she starts. “I don’t know if he was always like this or if it got worse over time. I feel like I remember a time when he was a good man, a good father. I remember trips we would take when my mom was still alive. I remember how he used to smile and laugh. But as I got older, I started to wonder if maybe I was too young to see what he was hiding behind that smile before. In a way I think maybe it was all an act. An effort to put on the perfect façade of a happy family.”

“I get that.” I cross the room, taking a seat next to her. I grab her hand, pulling it into my lap before entwining our fingers together. It feels so natural, being with her. Almost as easy as breathing.

“I should have told you about him. I should have told you a lot of things.”

“You’re telling me now.”

“Yeah, but you had a right to know what you were getting into. I’m not the person you thought I was.”

“You’re exactly who I thought you were. Someone like me. Someone who comes from a life where your every move is dictated. Someone who wanted to break free.” I pause. “But I have to ask... The night I found you...”

“I was supposed to be staying the week with my friend, Christy. Well, if you can even call her that. She’s really more of an acquaintance. Someone my father made me hang out with because it served his agenda.” She blows out a breath. “I had always planned on leaving, on escaping my father’s rule and breaking free. What happened that night.” She swallows hard. “I wasn’t planning on leaving like that. But then you found me and suddenly I was removed. From him. From all of it. And for some reason I couldn’t go back.”

“What happened that night?”

“Christy is a bit of a partier. I knew going away with her wasn’t a good idea, but given my father’s persistence, I did. When we arrived at the lake house, there were already people there. I tried to let loose and enjoy myself the best I could. I had a couple drinks by the fire and got to talking to this guy... Austin.” Her voice shakes and she pauses. “After a while, we both grew tired of how crazy some of the people were behaving and he asked if I wanted to take a walk. I thought it would be nice. To get away from the party. To talk to someone who seemed a lot like me. I guess you could say I’m not a very good judge of character.” She looks down at our adjoined hands. “We had walked quite a ways into the woods. I thought he just wanted to talk, but, but then...”

“Did he hurt you?” Anger flares in my voice.

“He tried,” she admits, her gaze lifting to mine. “I don’t know what happened. One minute we’re talking, I don’t even remember what about, and the next he had me pinned to the ground.” Emotion clogs her throat. “I fought so hard. I tried to stop him.”

It takes everything I have to stay sitting next to her. What I really want to do is get up and punch something. I knew something had happened to her. It was pretty obvious given the shape I found her in. I guess deep down I was hoping I was wrong.

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