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I chuckle; she’s going to pester him until he tells her what she wants to know. “Okay, Dad, I’ll talk to you later.”
I end the call and I decide to wait until I’m home before I call my brothers. I’m not looking forward to that conversation. While I don’t think they’d judge me for wanting a woman so young, they’ll be pissed when they find out that I’ve wanted her since she was fifteen. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t do anything with her.
Seven
Reli
Ding dong.
Is that the doorbell?
I freeze on the spot. It’s been six hours since Talia and the girls left. I managed to climb back upstairs and before I managed to get to the bed, I collapsed onto the floor. I somehow pulled myself up against the wall where I’ve been sitting ever since. I’m frightened that if I fall asleep, Talia may come back.
I’ve been told I’m not allowed to answer the door. The doorbell sounds yet again and I try to get up. My hand reaches out for the wall and I lift myself up off the floor. I cry out in pain as I straighten; something’s not right with my back. The doorbell sounds once again and it’s followed by banging. Tears sting my eyes as I make my way downstairs. I’ve never been in this much pain. Talia has never gone this far before, not to mention whatever I did to it when I lifted the girls’ bags.
Opening up the door, I gasp. It’s John. As always, he’s impeccably dressed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not in a suit.
He smirks at me. “You remember me.” It’s not a question, but a statement.
Heat rises through my cheeks and I know I'm blushing. Of course I remember him. He watched as Talia backhanded me; he was the last thing I saw before I was knocked unconscious, not to mention the man that I see in my dreams. He’s been a constant figure in my mind, the person I think of when I need to escape. I’m not telling him that though. “Is there something I can do for you, John?” This is not good, he can’t be here. If Talia finds out, she’ll go crazy.
He glances over me, starting at my bare feet, moving up to my chest, and then his eyes narrow as he takes in my face. I’ve not had a chance to look at myself yet, what with running around this morning getting them all ready to go away, but the force of his gaze causes my skin to heat.
He doesn’t say anything, just raises his hand. “You left this behind.” He hands me my bracelet. The one I lost.
“How? Where?” I breathe as I take it from his hand and hold it close to my chest, relieved to have it back again. That hollow pit in my stomach fills with warmth as I slip it back on my wrist, in its rightful place. “Thank you; I don't know how I could ever repay you. I honestly thought it was gone forever.”
He smiles, those pearly whites of his shining brightly. “You're very welcome. I can tell that it means something to you. So I'm glad that I was able to find it. You dropped it when you were getting into your car.”
I frown. “How did you know where to find me?”
He laughs. “The car you were driving was hardly inconspicuous. It was easy enough to trace you from that.” He tilts his head to study me. “Are you okay?”
I'm hesitant to answer but when I look down at my bracelet, I decide to just be honest; he’s gone out of his way to give it back to me. “I’m doing okay, thank you.”
His fingers graze mine as he holds my hand, electricity runs through me. “You’re not, but you will be.” He squeezes my hand slightly. “How old are you?” he asks curiously.
I pull my hand away from him and fold my arms over my chest, feeling vulnerable. Pain seeps through my chest as I remember the conversation at my father's wake. He was pissed that I was fifteen and. “Seventeen,” I reply honestly.
His gaze falls to my neck, where once again my skin is marred with bruises from Talia's antics. “Tell me when will you be eighteen.”
I glance at the floor. “Three months.” Yet another year where I’ll never celebrate my birthday. This will be my third.
Something passes in his eyes but I can't make it out. “Where is your step-mom?” he asks, looking into the house.
I grit my teeth. “Why do you want to know?”
He doesn’t react to my tone. “Call me curious. Please, can you just answer the question?”
I sigh. “My stepmother is currently on vacation. She won't be back for a couple of days. My parents are dead, as you well know. May I ask what you want to talk to her about?”
His eyes narrow dangerously; this man is not one to be messed with. “I don’t want to talk to her.” His tone is one that I can’t gauge. “I’m sorry for your loss; you must miss them terribly.”
“I do. Now, if you don't mind, Mr Princeton, I'm quite busy,” I snap and instantly regret it. “I’m sorry; again, thank you so much for finding my bracelet. I really do appreciate it; have a wonderful day.” I go to close the door and bite my lip to stop the scream from coming out. I moved way too quickly.
His foot blocks me from closing the door, jarring me. This time, I do scream out.
“Shit, Reli.” He curses and takes a step toward me.
