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“It’s exactly 11 o’clock. Cutting it close, aren’t you son?” My dad’s voice is gruff and my need to laugh grows. It’s like he’s watched every family show on television and decided this is how he should act when his daughter comes home from a date. My unassuming, quiet dad is trying to play tough guy.
Sawyer gives my dad a slight nod. “Yes sir, sorry about that. I can get her back earlier next time, if you need me to.” His voice is so earnest that my eyes widen. Next time? Earlier?
My dad clears his throat again. “I think eleven will be okay. It’s time she gets up to bed now, though. Ya’ll will see each other again, soon enough, I suspect.” He holds a hand out to Sawyer and Sawyer shakes it firmly. They both have slight smiles on their faces. I feel like there has been some silent communication between them that I had no part in.
“Okey, dokey, well ‘she’ is going up to bed now.” I turn to Sawyer. “I had a great time. Thanks so much.”
“I had a great time too, Ronnie. I’ll text you when I get home.” I can see he’s struggling not to kiss me again, so I take pity on him and lightly pat his chest.
“Sounds good, talk to you soon.” I grin and duck under dad’s arm to run up the stairs. I hear their muffled voices behind me, probably talking about me again. I shake my head as I grin broadly. Seeing Sawyer afraid of my dad is highly entertaining.
I walk into the bathroom next to my bedroom and look in the mirror. My lips are slightly puffy from our kiss and my eyes glitter with excitement. I put my hand over my racing heart. I fell in love with love a long time ago. I love reading about other couples’ love stories because it gives me faith in that kind of love. In the back of my head though, I never really thought I would have my own love story. I just felt too….boring. My cheeks are flushed and I feel so giddy. Now I feel anything but boring. Sawyer makes me feel like I’m walking among the clouds. I don’t want this excitement and happiness to ever end.
When I walk back into the hallway, I hear my dad’s deep snore while laughter and Jimmy Kimmel’s voice drone in the background. I grin. He must have really pushed himself to stay up so that he could be awake when we got home. He’s such a sweet dad, and I’m so glad to have a parent that cares so much. I really am a lucky girl.
I can’t help but hum in happiness as I open my bedroom door. I curse when I trip over a pair of my shoes I must have discarded in front of the door. “God, I really need to clean. Ugh.” Glad Sawyer didn’t get to see what a slob I can be. I reach down to pick a shirt up off the floor when I hear a creak. My hand flies up to chest. What the hell was that? I’m about to turn around when I feel a hand grab my waist. Another hand slaps hard over my mouth.
“Bitch, I’ve been waiting all night for you to get home. We have some business to discuss.” His arm tightens around my waist and I struggle as hard as I can. Brad. Tears flood my eyes. Of course, he wouldn’t just go away.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Whenever my life seems to be going in the right direction and I’m happy with it, everything suddenly takes a sharp left turn and I’m back in deep shit yet again. -Sawyer
Sawyer
I can’t help but whistle a little as I get back into the truck. Despite a few awkward moments caused by douchebags, I had a good time with Ronnie. She makes me feel something I haven’t felt in a while. Hopeful. I feel young, like my actual twenty years instead of older like I’ve felt since dad left. Most of the time I feel like everything is pressing down upon me, but around her I feel light. I feel content.
I’m two blocks away when I hear my phone vibrate. When I glance down at my cell, I see that I have ten missed calls from Dax.
“Dax, what’s up? Did you find anything?” I’ve been in constant communication with Dax. He’s found a few more accounts and we’re getting hopeful about taking something to the police. Yesterday, he told me he was close to finding everything he needed.
“He found something, alright. He found himself in a tight spot, nephew. I’m sure he’s hoping you’ll get him out of it.” My uncle’s voice comes through the speaker on my phone and my stomach drops. Fuck, what did Dax get into? What have I gotten him into?
“Uncle Robert, what have you done?” I know my voice is tight and squeaky, like a teenage boy, but I can’t seem to help it.
“I haven’t done anything, yet. Come on to the house, son, and we’ll see what we can negotiate. You’ve got someone on your tail. They’ll make sure you get here in the next few minutes. I’m tracking that nice new phone you have there too, so don’t make any calls or I’ll have to have an accident while cleaning my gun. Too bad, your friend Dax decided to try and break into my office at the same time.”
I look behind me and my heart gallops faster when I see the black Cadillac following me again. He’s riding my ass close enough that I know he’s the one my uncle told me about.
I pull into the long driveway of the main house and take a deep breath when I stop the truck. My whole life, it’s been about this damn house and all the fucking money. I stare up at the massive mansion, and it seems colder than ever. The white columns of the wide porch appear menacing in the darkness. It figures that this property was once a plantation. The place has always reeked of prejudice and old money. I take a deep breath before I get out. Whatever happens from here, I know I want no part of this family anymore.
Dudley, the butler, opens the door like his boss isn’t holding someone hostage in the house. I almost laugh, even though fear and adrenaline are coursing through my body. All in a day’s work for a wealthy Southern gentleman, I guess. The mob ain’t got nothin’ on Southern upper class pricks.
I knock on the door to my uncle’s study and Dax answers. His face is pale and he’s breathing harshly. My fun, always happy, friend looks fucking terrified.
My uncle sits behind his desk, holding a gun in one hand, and appearing supremely satisfied with himself.
“Now boys, we seem to have a bit of a problem here. I’ve thought a lot about how to solve this problem, and you know it seems to me that in order to protect my son and myself, I should use a winner takes all solution. I, being, the winner, as usual. Unfortunately, for y’all that means y’all are the losers.” He stands and walks around the desk. He seems extremely comfortable holding the gun and I can’t help but wonder if he’s hunted more than animals during his life.
“Uncle Robert, there’s no need to do any of this. I told you I would tell everyone I was lying for Ronnie and I will. Dax doesn’t mind lying either, do you Dax?”
Dax shakes his head hastily. “No sir, I’ll say whatever you want me to say. I’m sorry that I even interfered.”
“Yes, Dax here thought it would be a smart idea to break into my office and try his hand at finding something to use against me. Do you think that was such a smart idea, son? Especially now?” I see Dax wince and my guilt doubles. In trying to help me, he put himself in a dangerous and precarious position. I wish I had never involved him.
“No, sir, it’s none of my business. I realize that now. I have a bad memory though, you know. I can easily forget everything that’s happened.” Dax steps back, with his hands up and Robert stalks closer to both of us.
“Nah, as it happens the party is just getting started. Bradley, you can bring in your friend now.” I look over my shoulder to see the door open and Brad enters holding a struggling bundle in his arms. He throws the bundle on the floor and lifts the blanket covering his cargo.
