Page 74 of Truck Hard

His expression darkens, that familiar storm gathering in his eyes. “Actually, we have plenty to discuss.” He pushes off the porch and starts toward me. “Like how you’re trying to keep my son from me.”

Panic surges through my veins. I clutch my purse to my chest and scramble around to the back of the car, keeping the vehicle between us as he approaches. “Yourson? Since when do you care about Cam? You barely acknowledged his existence for twelve years!”

“He has my name.” Charlie circles the car slowly, predatory.

I move in the opposite direction, maintaining distance. “Your name doesn’t mean shit.”

His jaw clenches, eyes flashing dangerously. “Careful, Hannah. You’re already on thin ice.”

The threat in his voice makes my skin crawl. I fumble in my purse, fingers closing around my phone. The familiar ridges of the case ground me slightly.

“If you want to discuss custody arrangements, we can do it through our lawyers.” My voice only shakes a little. Progress. “But right now you need to leave before I call the police.”

He laughs, the sound sending chills down my spine. “The police? In this county?” His lips curl into a sneer. “My family owns half the force. Who do you think they’ll believe? The respected politician’s son or the lying whore who cheated on her husband?”

The words hit just as hard as his fists, old wounds reopening. But beneath the fear, anger starts to simmer. How dare he come here? How dare he threaten me in my own home?

“Leave,” I say again, stronger this time. “Or I start screaming. Someone is always at the Mutter homestead, and we both know they’re not on your family’s payroll.”

His expression shifts, something dangerous flickering in his eyes. “Now Hannah, is that any way to talk to your husband?”

“Ex-husband,” I correct, though my voice wavers. “We’re divorced, remember?”

“Temporary setback.” He takes another step forward, forcing me to retreat. “I’m willing to be generous here. Joint custody, liberal visitation. Hell, I’ll even increase the child support.” His smile turns cruel. “Unless you’d rather I petition for full custody. I have excellent lawyers, and your... history... doesn’t look good to family court judges. We both know I have the power to overturn the previous verdict and take everything away from you.”

My blood runs cold. “You wouldn’t,” I say even though I know he would. For him, this is about winning. Charlie hates to lose.

“Try me.” He’s still circling, herding me away from the relative safety of my car. “Face it, Hannah. You need me. You’ve always needed me. Look at this dump you’re living in now. Is this really the life you want for our son?”

“He’s not your son!” The words burst out before I can stop them.

Charlie moves so fast I barely have time to react. He lunges for me, fingers grasping for me. I stumble backward, heart thundering in my chest as I break into a run.

“Get back here!” He snarls, all pretense of civility gone.

I sprint toward the road, phone clutched in my trembling hand. My fingers shake as I try to pull up my contacts.Liam. I need to reach Liam.

The sound of Charlie’s footsteps behind me sends terror shooting through my veins. I manage to send a quick text to Liam—one word, “help”—before Charlie’s hand closes around my arm.

“Let go!” I wrench away, nearly losing my balance.

He grabs for me again but I dodge, circling back toward my car. My fingers fumble with my phone, muscle memory taking over as I dial 911.

The operator’s voice crackles through the speaker, tiny but clear. “911, what’s your emergency?”

Charlie’s head snaps up. “Who did you call?” When I don’t answer, his face contorts with rage. “Who thefuckdid you call?”

Everything happens in slow motion. I see the change come over him—that terrifying transformation I witnessed so many times during our marriage. His features twist into something inhuman, eyes dark with murderous intent.

“You stupid bitch.”

He vaults over the hood of my car with shocking speed. I try to run but my legs feel like lead. His hand fists in my hair, yanking me backward. Pain explodes across my scalp as I crash to the ground.

The last thing I see is Charlie looming over me, fist raised, that familiar cruel smile twisting his lips. “Time to teach you a lesson about respect.”

Then his knuckles connect with my cheekbone and everything goes dark.

Chapter 17

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