Page 57 of Tear Me Down (Descent to Darkness Trilogy #2)

Chapter twenty-four

Damien

We walk downstairs, hand in hand, Ashia wearing my T-shirt and a pair of her leggings to feel comfortable.

She actually seemed nervous that the Andersons were here, and I can’t tell if it’s a good nervousness or a bad one.

I haven’t seen them since she was in the hospital, and to be honest, I don’t remember a lot of my interactions with them, but I do highly respect the Andersons for how they took care of her, and there’s not much they could say that would change that for me.

We descend the stairs, and I see them sitting at the kitchen island talking to Zeke as he hands them each a water bottle.

He’s going to kick my ass after how I answered the phone earlier, but I know how his recent protectiveness over Ashia bothers her, so something about putting him in place was satisfying.

“Hey, Dad!” she chokes out nervously, only to pause on the last step once the realization of what she said seeps in.

That kind of throws me off a little, and I can tell it throws Richard for a loop as well, but his face softens into innocent admiration quickly.

I don’t think she’s ever called him that out loud, and he definitely doesn’t seem to mind.

“Shit, I'm sorry, Richard.” She corrects herself before stepping off the stairs. I squeeze her hand reassuringly, letting her know that it’s okay.

She’s worked through a lot of emotions about her parents recently, and even though her real father was a piece of shit, it’s okay for her to feel that familial tie with those that truly raised her.

“Hey, Pumpkin. Please don’t apologize, Dad is fine.

I like it.” He smiles and gives her a hug before she turns and hugs his wife, Marla.

I’ve noticed he calls her that through messages.

She said he started that when her and Serena were in second grade and they learned Ashia’s birthday was on Halloween.

“Mr. Anderson.” I reach out and shake his hand, noticing his harsh grip before I turn and greet Marla as well. While he doesn’t show any signs of hostility, I can definitely feel it. This visit may not be as cordial as I expected.

“What are you guys doing here?” she asks them, still somewhat flustered.

“Well, you said we could come by at any time, so I figured we would test those waters. You know, we just wanted to see you and check in. We miss you,” Richard says through a tight throat, and that tells me everything I need to know.

They want to make sure I'm not another abusive boyfriend, especially after the two weeks her and Serena weren’t speaking.

“That’s fine, guys, but um, maybe a phone call next time? You know like ten minutes out?” She laughs anxiously before she rounds the island and leans over to talk to them, sensing that she might need some distance and room to breathe .

“No offense to Damien, but we didn’t really want to give a warning. We wanted to make sure you're okay,” Richard says sternly, staring at her like he’s trying to talk with her through nothing but glances. Ashia’s features harden, showing off her instant protectiveness.

“That is offensive, Richard.”

“It’s Dad now, young lady, and you and Serena are my priority.

Not your fiancé’s feelings,” he spits out, staring at her harshly and pointing towards me like he’s staving off witchcraft.

While normally I would fly into a fit of rage if someone spoke to her like that, I find myself holding back.

I understand his wariness, and while Ashia might not appreciate his security right now, once the tension dies down, she will.

Damn, I like this man.

“You think he’s hurting me?” she asks with an accusing tone.

“We just wanted to check on you sweetheart, that’s all,” Marla replies calmly, placing a soft hand on Richard’s arm and clearly trying to calm him down. I walk to the edge of the kitchen island, sure to stand between the three of them to try and diffuse the situation before she gets too upset.

“It’s really no offense, baby.” I take her hand and squeeze it faintly.

“I get it. While you were in the coma, I didn’t speak to them, or anyone, really.

They don’t know me, and as far as they know I’m no different than Cooper.

” Her features soften a little, and she looks back to Richard with more understanding.

Our attention is then drawn over to the stairs to see Serena and Carter walking down together.

They both look defeated and walk lazily with each step until Serena looks up.

As her eyes widen with shock, Carter shifts to stand with awkwardness, gripping the railing lazily and looking around the room like he doesn’t notice them.

“Oh shit, what are you guys doing here?” Serena asks them and I turn my focus to Zeke, who shows his teeth in an obvious sign of guilt.

“You didn’t call Carter?” I whisper to him.

“Well, after calling you, I was a little distracted,” he quietly seethes and glares at me with anger.

“Well, well, this is just perfect. Both men I wanted to see are here,” Richard says, turning his harsh gaze at Carter.

“Daddy, don’t be mean to him,” Serena spits back, pointing a finger at her father and clearly gearing up for an argument.

“How about this?” I interject as I step to the refrigerator and grab a water bottle.

“Girls, show your mom around the house, take her out back, and show her the views. Let her know you're not chained and shackled while Carter and I talk to your dad.” I slip the water bottle into Ashia’s hand and kiss the back of her head before I gesture towards my home office.

“Mr. Anderson, if you'd like, the office is down this hall.” He stands and begins to walk toward the hallway, Carter falling in behind him.

I take a step in the same direction when Ashia grabs my hand.

“Damien, you don’t have to explain yourself to him.

” She grips me tighter and pulls me in her direction, but I don’t let her have her way this time.

It’ll be better for her in the long run if we get this out of the way now, and if he’s any threat to our relationship?

Well, I need to know that, too. I reach down and kiss her on the cheek as I pull my hand away.

“I asked his daughter to marry me, and he doesn’t know who I am.

Yes, I do.” I kiss her cheek again before Carter and I walk Mr. Anderson down to my office—a room I rarely use, but will provide us with some privacy.

We walk in, and after Mr. Anderson looks around for a moment, he takes a seat at one of the chairs in front of the desk.

I walk around to the other side, where I can access my locked, oldest bottle of scotch and glance at him during the silence.

Carter stands off to the side, leaning against the wall and trying to appear casual, but knowing him, his anxiety is building with every second that passes.

I lean against the desk, trying to look as casual as I can for him while I pour him a drink.

“I would like to apologize for my lack of communication at the hospital. I was…very distraught.” I hand him his glass, and surprisingly he takes it—which lifts my spirits a little.

“Regardless, that’s not an excuse, and I normally have much better manners, sir.

So, for that, I'm sorry.” I look him in the eyes and take the first sip.

“Call me Richard, and there’s no apologies necessary. Serena had explained your relationship with Ashia, so we understood. We were also heartbroken by what had happened to her…” There’s an awkward silence. “I know I'm not her father…”

“No, you're not.” I interrupt him, not wanting him to belittle his presence in her life. “You’re much more than that. You are her dad in her eyes, and that’s all that matters.

She loves and respects you, and I should have done more to include you in our lives.

I'm sorry that I haven’t so far. There’s just been a lot going on, and I know that’s not an excuse, but you mean a lot to her.

You and Marla both, and I can see that.” He smiles, but then it quickly fades.

“Marla and I have a lot of guilt when it comes to her past. When she was little, we didn’t get her away fast enough, and with Cooper…

” he hesitates, visibly swallowing. “We didn’t notice.

We just assumed that she was an adult, in a mature relationship, trying to figure out who she was… We didn’t think…”

He looks away as the remorse glazes over his eyes, and then he shakes his head in quick movements, as if to brush the feelings aside.

“She hid what was happening, and we didn’t know until Serena called us the night of her attack.

Or, last attack, I should say.” He takes a small drink, the pain in his eyes ever evident.

“We know the signs now, and we won’t ignore them.

No matter what Serena says, no matter what Ashia says, we had to know she is happy, and that she is okay. ”

“I assure you, she is,” I try to placate him .

“Is she, though?” He stares back at me, almost disapprovingly.

“She was alone for so long, and then we hear that she’s seeing someone new.

Only a short couple of weeks later she’s in the hospital, and not actually sick—poisoned.

Even though you all lied to our faces while we stood by what could have been her death bed.

” His tone grows increasingly angered. My stomach flips, and I can feel the cool whisp of my failure graze the back of my neck, raising goosebumps along my arms.

“That was for her own protection.”

“Save it, because I’m not done,” he seethes and his jaw clenches for a moment before he continues.

“Then we hear that not only is she still with you, but she’s living in the same house she was poisoned in, your home, when we don’t know the first thing about you.

Now my other daughter is dating his best friend?

I’m sorry to say, that doesn’t ease any of our worries! ”