Page 3 of Truth

She nodded. Without another word, I helped her stand.

Once on our feet, Brianna clung to me as if her life depended on it, her fingers digging into my skin. There would probably be marks there later, but it was the least of my worries. I needed to get to my room quickly, but there was no way I was leaving her here in the same room with her father, Tom or no Tom.

Inch by inch, we walked to the door leading to her bedroom. I was careful to keep my body between Brianna and her father. She stayed with me step for step until we reached his head, which was lying about a foot from the opening. She stopped moving, and a shiver ran through her body. A sob ripped from her throat, and she buried her face in my chest. With a firm, hopefully comforting squeeze, I placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head before bending and lifting her into my arms.

It was a little tight getting out of the bathroom carrying her, but I could tell by her immediate response that it was the right decision. I was here for her. I’d promised to protect her, and I would.

When we made it to my bedroom, I carried her over to the bed and set her down. Her arms locked around my shoulders, not wanting to let go. Wrapping my fingers around her wrists, I urged her to release me.

“I need you to let go, Brianna, just for a minute, so I can get something. I need to tie your father up, so he can’t hurt you or anyone else, okay?” I said, holding her gaze.

I saw the battle waging inside her—it was written all over her face. She didn’t want to loosen her hold on me.

Reluctantly, her grip slackened, and I brought her hands up to my lips and kissed the backs of them. “Good girl. Thank you.”

Turning to my left side, I opened the bottom drawer of my nightstand. The cotton ropes I always kept there lay in the back, just as I’d left them more than six months ago. Grabbing two of them, I faced Brianna again. “I need to go back in there. Do you want to stay here or come with me?”

“I want... I want to stay with you,” she whispered.

One thing I knew for sure—he was not leaving here without giving me some answers. I wanted to know how he could turn his daughter over to a monster like Ian Pierce. Once I found that out, I’d make a decision on what to do with him.

Chapter Two

Brianna

I was scared. More scared than I’d been in weeks. The only thing that made it better was that Stephan was there. He would take care of me. He would keep me safe. I trusted him.

Stephan held tight to my hand as we walked back into my room. I had to consciously put one foot in front of the other, forcing myself to take the next step, and then the next, because all I wanted to do was run the other way.

The closer we came, the heavier my legs felt and the more effort it took to continue moving. I stepped closer to Stephan, wrapping my hand around his upper arm. He glanced down at me, and I held tighter.

“I’m right here, Brianna. You’re fine now.” His fingers brushed against my cheek, dragging the rope with it. It felt soft yet strange, and the thought of what he was going to do with it sent a shiver up my spine.

We took the final steps through my bedroom and into the bathroom. John was still unconscious but was now propped up against the wall, his head hanging to one side. I stopped, and tugged on Stephan’s arm. I didn’t want to go any closer. I didn’t want him going any closer.

Instead of remaining by my side, as I wanted him to, Stephan placed a soft kiss on my forehead before releasing my hand. “Stand right here, Brianna. Don’t move until I tell you.”

I tried to do what he said. The desire to run was still there, and I had to force myself to do as he’d instructed. I’d already made one mistake.

Tom stood over John with a menacing look on his face, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked scary. I’d never been frightened of Tom until that moment. I took a step back.

“Brianna.”

Stephan’s voice brought my attention back to him. He wasn’t looking at me, but I knew he must have heard me move. Disappointment mixed with my fear as I realized I’d messed up yet again. I vowed to do better.

He knelt down in front of John, dropping one of the ropes to the floor. With the remaining rope still in his grasp, he looped it around itself until there were two distinct holes. Then, with Tom’s help, Stephan brought John’s hands behind his body and slipped the two holes he’d made with the rope over John’s hands and up to his wrists. With a quick pull, the ropes tightened, effectively creating handcuffs.

Seeing my father bound helped calm my fears a little more. He could no longer reach out and grab me or take me away. Although I knew Stephan would never willingly allow him to remove me, seeing him restrained was comforting.

Stephan picked up a second length of rope and repeated the same process around John’s ankles. Once the ropes were secure, Tom helped Stephan move John into the main room. Stephan instructed me to follow them but not get too close. I made sure I stayed back far enough that John would have no hope of reaching me even if his hands weren’t tied, but close enough that I could always see Stephan. It was a careful balance, made easier once we were out in the main room.

John didn’t move as they carried him, Stephan at his head, Tom at his feet. I watched carefully, looking for any signs that he’d regained consciousness, but there was nothing. They sat him in one of the dining room chairs and tied him to it with the ends of the ropes.

Once Stephan appeared satisfied that John wasn’t going anywhere, he walked to where I’d stopped by the end of the couch, and stood in front of me. His arms wrapped around me, hugging me close. I could feel his lips brushing against my hair. For the first time since I’d seen my father standing in the doorway, I felt as if I could breathe.

“Did you want me to stay, sir?” Tom asked.

Stephan turned to face him but didn’t release his hold on me. “No. I think we’ll be fine for now. Thank you, Tom.”

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