Page 110 of Nanny for the SEAL

In any case, I step backward and angle myself toward the bakery again.

“Well, I need to get going. I am sorry if I hurt you at all.”

The man cocks his head, his brows raising. “If?Ifyou hurt me?”

Nausea has begun to well up, and my throat is tight as my mouth fills with saliva. I don’t like this. It feels…wrong.

Glancing around the store, I look for anyone who’s near me, but it’s so early, and the store is basically empty except for me and Mark. And he’s back at the front.

“You hurt me more than anyone has,” His expression darkens, and I’m aware of my mouth dropping open as the green of his eyes hits me, “Vivi.”

Oh, God…it…it can’t…

Before another thought can pass through me, I’m reeling backward even more, trying to put as much distance between me andmy fatheras I can.

My heart is pounding, and suddenly, everything is too tight and too warm and too everything.

“Now, now. Where you going, sweetheart? We have a conversation to get to.”

This can’t be real. He can’t be here. Except, I knew it. I knew he was close, and I didn’t do anything about it.

Dammit, I’m such an idiot. Why didn’t Idosomething?

Still, as I’m pushed down into the ground by my father’s evil stare, I know it’s my own post-traumatic bullshit that’s kept me frozen in place.

I’m nothing but that tiny kid again when he’s here, even when it’s just in my head.

Now? Now that he’s standing right fucking in front of me, the only thing I feel is terrified. I can’t…I can’t get taken someplace again.

He can’t…my father can’tsellme again.

I’m about to fall, my balance going wonky as I step back again, but my dad’s hand snakes out too fast for my liking, and he grabs my bicep to hold me in place.

“You haven’t answered any of my calls or texts. I’m beginning to think you don’t like your old man.” I shake my head, tears dribbling down my cheeks, but he shakes me. “Don’t lie, Vivi. It ain’t attractive.”

We’re just out of the eyeline of the register, and I’m trying to scream or call for help, but it’s only pathetic squeaks that come out of me, which twist into a hiss of pain as my father clamps down.

“You owe me, naughty little brat.” The singsong tone of Dad’s voice is gone, and that mean growl I recognize—that I’ve learned to fear—hits me as good as a slap. “You got me thrown in the clink, and it’s your doing that left me with nothing. I demand some fucking payback.”

I can’t breathe or think. My heart is so damned loud in my ears, and I think I’m going to puke all over my father’s scuffed boots.

“I…I…” My mouth is dry even as the tears spill over endlessly. “I don’t have anything.”

Dad shakes me—hard. “Bullshit. I seen you with that fucking man of yours. He looks well fucking off. Even tried to scare me off last night. You into men that can hit you, Vivi? Cuz I can make a killing off that.”

My blood runs cold, and I think about last night after I’d fallen asleep.Xaden. Xaden tried…oh, God.

Yanking on my arm, the fear begins to turn into panic for self-preservation. “Let go! I don’t have your money. Leave me alone!”

It’s louder than I expected to be able to muster out, and my father’s expression goes furious, his brows down low over his eyes.

“Shut it, girl. You ain’t getting me locked up again.”

I don’t understand how, but something about his grip changes when he gets angry, and the last yank on my arm gets me free. The surprise lingers for both of us before I spin and tear ass out of the store.

I need to get back home.

The pounding of my steps on the linoleum floor booms, and I rush past the checkout toward my car.

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