AllFreeNovel
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“They’re out of town again.”
I nod, following her out of the car. My legs are still like jelly, but Conner is there to catch me. He guides me into the house and straight into a room with a big plush sectional. “Here, sit down. I’ll get you—”
“No,” I grab his hand, “don’t leave me, please.”
“You stay with her,” Remi says. “I’ll go.”
“Ready to tell me what happened?”
“There... there was a man. He had a ski mask on, came out of nowhere.”
“Fuck.” Conner runs a hand down his face. “What were young doing out there all alone?”
“I just needed some air. I went straight back to my dorm room after the game. I didn’t feel like going to the party. Sometimes I walk the grounds of the school, when I need to think... I like looking at the stars...”
After tonight though, they would only ever remind me of him. He’d tainted something beautiful.
“We should call the police—”
“N-no, you can’t.” I claw at his t-shirt.
“Okay, easy.” His hands cover mine, holding them still. “No authorities. Did he say anything?”
My gaze drops.
“Hadley?”
The slam of the front door echoes through the house and heavy footsteps sound in the hall.
“Fuck. Wait here, okay?”
As if I can go anywhere. I’m barely holding on as it is.
I kick off my sneakers and fold my legs underneath my body. I can’t stop shivering, can’t shake the memory of his knife pressed dangerously close to my neck. My fingers drift there, feeling for any damage. There might not be a physical mark, but some scars are invisible, and I know this is something that’s going to stay with me for a long time.
Sobs rack through me. Donny did this. The man Cole works for. The man Ace used to work for. I knew he wasn’t a good person, but I didn’t think—
Raised voices beyond the door catch my attention.
“You need to calm down,” Ace says.
“Calm down? Someone put their hands on my fucking girl. You’re telling me if that was Remi you wouldn’t be out there right now, ready to end whoever hurt her?”
“Cole, think this through. She’s in shock. She doesn’t need any extra stress right now. We don’t even know what happened.”
“She said a guy jumped her.” That’s Conner. “He was wearing a ski mask.”
“Motherfucker.” Someone punches the wall.
The door flies open and Cole steps inside. “I need you to tell me what happened.”
“Cole, I don’t think—”
“Out. Get the fuck out,” he barks at Ace.
“It’s okay,” I say, peeking around Cole to meet Ace’s concerned gaze. “I’ll be okay.”
“Conner stays,” he replies, “and you don’t leave this fucking house. I mean it, Cole.”
