Page 131 of Cryptic Curse

It hits something deep in me.Makes the air go still.Because there’s something about that sound that’s more honest than screaming.

And I can’t unhear it.

I open the door?—

“Dad!No!”

My father stands behind his desk, a pistol in his hand.

Fuck.I’m not armed.I’m way too young to have a concealed carry, and I don’t carry my piece around at home anyway.

But more alarming is who it’s pointing at.

Ted Tucker.

From the look in his eyes, I know my father is not bluffing.He’s deadly serious.

Ted’s hands are raised in surrender, his body rigid as he watches my father with wide eyes.The office air is thick with tension.

“Dad, what the hell are you doing?”I demand, my voice hoarse with shock and fear.

My father barely glances my way.His gaze is locked onto Ted, his face stony and unreadable.“Stay out of this, Hawk.”

“But Dad?—”

“I said stay out of it!”His voice booms through the office, making me wince.“Get out, Hawk.Now.”

Ted stands frozen, his eyes flickering between my father and me.

The choking sobs.They were coming from Ted.

But his jaw goes rigid now.He glances at me, and something happens in his eyes.He finds his strength.“Do as your father says, Hawk.Leave.Now.”

“Dad, put the gun down!”I run over to him.

But my father is a solid wall of muscle and anger as he keeps the gun trained on Ted.

“Hawk,” he grits out.“Getout.This is between me and him.”

Ted nods again.“Listen to your father.Please.”His voice is no longer choked.It radiates strength.

I gulp.

“Ted, why is he doing this?”

“I don’t know.Just go.”

“Shut the fuck up, you degenerate.”Dad takes a slow step toward Ted.“I know what you’re after.”

“You’re wrong.”Ted’s voice is low, and it cracks softly.“I would never do anything to hurt your family.”

“Dad, please…”

“Get out, Hawk!”

Then the click as my father cocks the gun.

Without thinking, I push myself in front of Ted, putting myself between him and the gun.My heart pounds against my ribs as I stare down my father, but I refuse to let fear show on my face.