Page 26 of Break My Fall

I should have known better than to challenge him. In a second his drunkenness was gone as he lunged for me, straddling my waist as he wrapped a hand around my throat. I clawed at him, fighting to get free as he squeezed hard, cutting off my oxygen almost instantly.

“I should fucking kill you!” he spat as spots appeared in my eyes and the room around me started to blur. Tears filled my eyes and I fought hard, trying to buck him from my body. It was futile, since he was so much bigger and stronger than me, but I wouldn’t stop fighting.

By the time he released me I was verging on unconsciousness. I fought to take in a breath, coughing and spluttering as my throat throbbed painfully from his vicious grip.

“You’re a worthless fucking whore!” he hissed as he ripped my sleep shorts and underwear from my body as I fought to just breathe. He grabbed my waist and flipped me over so violently my face hit the mattress and bounced off painfully. “This is the only fucking thing you’re good for,” he reminded me. I fought to get free of his grip, the whole time trying not to cry out, worried I’d wake Willow. I looked behind me for any chance to get free of his bruising grip around the back of my neck, but I was too late. A small sob of pain and desperation slipped from me as he forced himself into my body.

My eyes opened and I sat up, panicked. I was panting hard, the phantom throb of my throat still there as I felt his hand squeezing still. I looked around frantically, trying to remember where I was. The soft glow of the yellow walls in the light from a small lamp reminded me of all that had happened.

I pulled myself over to sit on the edge of the bed and pushed my wild hair from my face as I tried to breathe, telling myself I was at the guys place – that it was just a bad dream and I was safe. My skin was covered with a sheen of sweat and my hands shook badly as I pressed them together in my lap.

Then it hit me. The room was lit with a lamp. I looked to the window and gasped, my heart pounding even harder at the realization it was dark outside. How long had I been asleep? I grabbed my cell, almost throwing myself from the bed to reach it. It was just after nine P.M. I slept for hours.

Willow!

I dropped the cell as I shot to my feet and ran from the room. I wasn’t thinking straight as I bolted down the stairs like a mad woman. I hadn’t even looked around any of the rooms down there so I had no idea where I was as I ran from the entrance hall and into the first room I saw. It was an office, paneled in dark wood and dominated by book shelf lined walls and a huge old desk. I didn’t really take any of it in though as I frantically looked for my child.She was going to think I’d abandoned her. Was she okay? I was such a terrible fucking parent!

I ran from room to room, my panic increasing by the second. I found a gym, a huge conservatory, and a formal dining room, but no living room and no Willow!

“Willow!” I cried, giving in to my desperation. I hadn’t called for her before, not wanting to scare her if she was alright, but I needed to see her!

I ran from the dining room and across a hall, bringing me to a huge kitchen.

“Willow!” I cried again as I looked past the shiny black counters and charcoal grey cabinets to the man stood behind the stove looking startled.

“Is everything okay?” he asked. He was older, maybe in his fifties, with thick salt and pepper dark hair that hung floppily over his forehead. He smiled in an attempt to reassure me and lines appeared around his eyes. He looked kind.

“Willow? Where is she? Where’s my daughter?” I cried almost hysterically.

“Maybe just try to take a breath. Willow is fine. She’s safe,” he said soothingly, as he slowly approached me. He held a hand out like he was trying to tame a wild animal.

“Where is she?!” I demanded angrily. I turned at the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, just as Hunter and Kai hurried into the kitchen. They had changed their clothes, Hunter now in sweats and a t-shirt and Kai in long shorts and a tank top.

“Maddie, what’s wrong?” Hunter asked as they ran towards me.

“Where is she? Where’s Willow? Is she okay? I slept too long. I’m so sorry. Is she scared? She must be so upset,” I cried all at once.

“Maddie, just slow down, okay? Willow’s fine. She’s in her room, fast asleep,” Hunter soothed as he approached and wrapped his arms around me. Kai disappeared the way he’d come as I sank against Hunter and deflated.

“She’s asleep? I didn’t even think to check,” I panted, feeling stupid. She’d been right next door to me.

“It’s okay. Deep breaths now.” He held me tightly and rubbed my back as I tried to calm down.

“You’re sure she’s okay?” I asked as I pulled away from his comfort and looked up at him.

“Here. sunshine, take a look for yourself,” Kai said as he returned with a tablet in his hand. He held it out for me and I could see camera footage of Willow’s room on the screen. The room was dimly lit with the leaf wall light above the bed. Curled up under the comforter I could clearly see my daughter fast asleep with Mr. Roar clutched to her chest. I could even hear the slight snore she made as she slept.

“We played all afternoon, then Sam made her pasta for dinner, which she devoured,” Hunter laughed. “She got tired so we changed her into some pajamas and all watched a Disney movie. She crashed on my lap about an hour ago so we put her to bed. She’s fine. We told her you were tired and needed to rest, but she knew where you were the whole time. She was totally fine.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry,” I gasped. “I just…just panicked. I’m so sorry. I only meant to sleep for an hour.”

“Everything’s okay, just breathe,” Hunter soothed as he pulled me back into his arms. I went willingly, needing his comfort as I tried to calm my racing heart.

“I’m just so used to keeping her close. I could never let her get too far from me, because Edward would lose it if she got under his feet,” I explained.

“We get it, Maddie, but it’s different now. Your daughter is amazing and we want her under our feet. You don’t have to worry or be afraid. She’s safe with us. We’ll protect her, always,” Kai told me.

“I know that,” I sighed as I turned my head so I could see him without removing myself from Hunter’s arms. “No matter how I feel about what happened between us, I know Willow is safe with you.”

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