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I was thinking this. But Micah’s the one who said it.
He stands less than ten feet away, at the mouth of the long hallway leading to the room my father slept in, the same room where I was conceived. I don’t know how he figured out I was here or how he got in without making a sound.
The hatred on Micah’s face is intense. Consuming. Downright murderous. I’d shudder to be on the other end of a look like that. I don’t know how long he’s been listening but he’s heard enough to know who his enemy is.
But then his gaze cuts to me and his expression switches to alarm. He eats the distance between us in three strides and hauls me out of the chair. “Come on, Tessie.” He pushes me behind him and keeps a wary eye on Josh. “Time to go.”
Josh clicks something under the table. “Sit down, Micah. You’re not taking my daughter.”
“Your WHAT? Never mind. Fuck you. We’re leaving.” He nudges me backwards until we’re through the doorway and in the hall. Then he turns his head and whispers. “Go, baby. Run. Window in the bedroom is open.”
I trust Micah completely. Josh is vile but he has no reason to harm us.
On the contrary. Josh convinced himself that he has acted in the best interests of his child.Me.
I haven’t made it more than two steps before there’s an ominous crack and a curse. With a terrified scream, I turn around and see Josh has his taser out and Micah is on the floor.
“Bastard.” Micah, struggling to recover from the impact of the taser, tries to get his legs underneath him.
“Calm down, son. You’ll only hurt yourself.”
Micah coughs. “You’ll die screaming, you fucker.”
Josh sighs. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
“I’ve got enough strength left to send you to hell with my bare hands.”
Josh cackles. “Barehands? Kind of an empty threat, Micah, don’t you think?”
“What I think is that I’ll enjoy watching you choke on your own blood.”
Josh is not amused. He drops the taser on the table and chooses his gun instead. “Your father’s mouth got him in trouble too.”
“FUCK YOU.”
“Yeah, you say that a lot. I don’t know why you can’t learn. I’ve given you every chance but you still allow yourself to be ruled by your anger. You’ll never be good enough for her.”
Micah breathes hard, still unable to stand, and glares into the barrel of the gun. “Whatever you’re gonna do, don’t you make her watch.”
“NO!” This isn’t happening. I drop to the floor and throw myself over Micah. My ears pick up a dreaded click and I know Josh has his gun cocked.
“Get out of here.” Micah tries to push me away. “Go on, baby, you need to go. Don’t look back. He won’t shoot you.”
No, Josh won’t shoot me. But there’s no way I’m leaving without Micah.
“Move aside, sweetheart.” Josh’s voice is so gentle and mournful it’s hard to believe he’s pointing a gun. “I’m sorry it has to be this way.”
Never.
I’m not strong. I have no weapon. Except one.
I squeeze my eyes on purpose and purge the tears. Then I turn my head so my father, myrealfather, can see them streaking down my cheeks. “If you love me, then you won’t hurt him.”
The gun shakes. Josh swallows and works his jaw.
Another tear slides down. “Please, Daddy. I’m begging you.”
He crumbles. The gun is lowered and his brown eyes fill with tears. “You don’t know how much I’ve always wanted to hear you call me that.”
