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Finally, I break the silence, because I need her to say it out loud, “He fucking did that didn’t he?”
“I fell,” she whispers breathlessly.
“Don’t you fucking look into my eyes and lie to me while my dick is still shoved deep inside your pussy and coated in our come,” I snap.
She sighs and presses her eyes closed.
Leaning back, I pull out of her and stuff my dick back inside of my jeans. Sitting back on my feet, I run my fingers through my hair and pull until it’s standing on end.
“Why are you protecting that piece of shit? I’m gonna gut him Spencer. I swear to god, I’m gonna gut him for fucking touching you.”
“You can’t. You don’t understand.”
“I fucking can and I will!”
“You think this hurt?” she snaps, pointing at her face.
“Yes,” I hiss.
“It was nothing,” she bites back as she slides up to a seated position in front of me. “It was nothing compared to the pain I felt when I woke up to you gone, leaving nothing but a fucking post it note on my goddamn pillow. It was nothing compared to what Uncle Evan did every goddamn night to me after he realized you were gone.”
“So it was him,” I snap.
“You’re missing the fucking point.”
“Oh no, I got the point, and he’s a dead man.”
I push up to stand as I button and zip my jeans.
She jumps up from the sofa and smooths her clothing, twisting her skirt back into place, but I don’t miss the way her face twists in pain briefly when she turns her torso, “Just butt out of it Travis, I’m handling it myself.”
“Like hell you are. Handling it how?”
“Don’t fucking worry about it. I don’t need everyone knowing my business, and I damn sure don’t need you reappearing into my life trying to play the hero. I -”
“You what?” I interrupt, stepping forward to pull her into my chest. She resists at first, then sighs loudly and drops her cheek to my chest.
“I’m getting out. I don’t know how yet, but I’m getting out,” she whispers.
“Come stay with me.”
“I can’t stay, he will find me. I’m getting out on my terms.”
Gripping the back of her neck gently, I pull her from my chest, forcing her to look up at me, “What? No. What do you mean? Fuck if I’m letting you run again. I’ll protect you.”
“Like you protected me from Evan?” she quips, and it stings like a motherfucker because she’s right. I failed her over and over but I swear, this time it’s different. I’m different. I’ll protect her until my dying breath.
“It’s just the way it has to be,” she whispers, pushing off of my chest. She moves to turn around but I pick her up, throwing her over my shoulder and she squeals.
The fuck if I will let her disappear on me again. She’s mine. She’s always been mine. I’ll kill this motherfucker and any other motherfucker that threatens to hurt her or stand in my damn way.
“Travis, put me down!” she demands.
“No.” I state flatly, grabbing the door to the office and yanking it wide open. She pounds on my back with her fists like she can actually deter me from what I’m about to do. It’s funny really.
“Put me down damnit!” she hisses between punches.
“Careful red, you’re starting to make me hard again. I like it when you’re rough,” I grumble beneath my breath.