Page 97 of Follow Me Down

Chapter Twenty-four

Titus

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Ihadn’t thought muchabout how this would go once I arrived here, only that I had to come.

After I saw the text messages on Fallon’s phone, the ones I knew she sent, there was no way I couldn’t. Ihadto see her. I had to tell her that I didn’t care what her dad threatened to do to me. Nothing was worth her giving up the life she so desperately wanted. A life where she could be free to be who she is.

After she disappeared, I’d plugged her phone in. I didn’t even know why I was doing it. I guess deep down I was hoping she would contact me. And finally, she did. I so badly wanted to call her back, to text her that I got her message and was coming, but I didn’t know who’s phone she had called me from and if it would be safe for me to reply.

The last thing I wanted to do was make things worse for her. And yet, here I am, walking up to her house after jumping over the iron gate that surrounds the property like some kind of criminal.

It’s not like I can just walk through the front door, so I’m trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to get inside undetected, when the front door flies open and Fallon comes running out, looking like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

I stand motionless for several seconds watching her come closer. It’s only been four days and yet it feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve laid eyes on her.

Her cheeks are pink, her eyes laser focused forward as she runs down the front steps, a suitcase clunking behind her.

She passes right by me without looking in my direction.

“Fallon,” I call after her, watching the way her body goes stiff at the sound of my voice.

She turns, looking back toward the house beforefinallyglancing in my direction.

“Titus.” My name is a sob on her lips.

I swear my feet have never moved so fast before. One minute I’m standing two steps from the front porch, the next I’m on the ground in front of her, pulling her into my arms.

She lets go of her suitcase, her arms wrapping around my middle as she begins to shake against me.

“Are you okay?” I release her, bending down so that I’m eye level with her.

“I am now.” She gives me a watery smile. “What are you doing here?”

I dig into my back pocket and pull out her cell phone.

“I got your message,” I tell her, waving the device in front of her.

“You got my message,” she repeats, her voice riddled in disbelief. “And you came?”

“Of course I did. I don’t care what your father says. We’ll find a way around this. Even if I have to call my own father, he won’t get away with this.”

“I already took care of it,” she interjects.

“What do you mean you already took care of it?”

“I’ll explain later. Right now, I just want to go home.”

Home... With me.

After days of fearing I’d never see her again, those words are like a magic balm, healing me from the inside out.

“Come on.” I reach around her, grabbing her suitcase in one hand before taking her hand in the other.

Without another word we cross the grounds and head toward my truck that’s parked up the street.

As soon as were tucked inside the cab, I pull her into the center seat, wanting her as close to me as possible. If living without her the last few days has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t ever want to do it again.

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