Page 166 of Return Policy

“Get the fuck out of my room,” I say firmly, attempting to exude the confidence I don’t feel.

Is my dad back?

Where’s Elijah?

“Don’t be like that, baby girl,” he says, stepping towards me as I grab shorts out of my drawer, trying to tug them on before he reaches me—the simple task made difficult by my hands shaking uncontrollably. “I saw you left the window open for me. Don’t pretend you weren’t praying I’d sneak in.”

My eyes flick toward the now closed window, heart pounding in my ears.

“Have you lost your mind?!” I continue trying to put space between us. “You almost killed me last time I saw you, and now you just… just…” I stutter, eyes glued to the bed, where I’m still trying to process what just happened. “You’re insane.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you before. Please. My anger got the better of me, baby girl. It won’t happen again.” He steps toward me, and I stumble against the nightstand, knocking over a glass of water. “I’m trying to make it up to you.”

“Get away from me!” My body shakes uncontrollably as his firm hand wraps around my arm, squeezing to the point of pain. “Elijah!”

48

ELIJAH

I’m washing my face in the bathroom down the hall from Sophia’s room. My heart soars at the memory of her finally telling me she loves me.Damn, I’m a lucky man.My phone buzzes on the vanity, and I pick it up.

Who the hell would text me this late?

THEO

Theo

Wish you were here bro

(1) Video Attached

Rolling my eyes, I chuckle, playing a video of Theo doing shots on a long wooden ski with a few half-naked girls. Looks like he spent another holiday getting fucked up instead of with family.

A muffled voice reaches my ears, and I open the bathroom door slowly.Is Will home?The hallway is dark, and Sophia’s door is still shut, but light is streaming from the bottom of it. “Elijah!” Her loud, panicked tone has me sprinting towards her room.

“Haven’t you realized it by now?” a familiar male voice says as I’m steps away, and my body erupts in flames. “You’re mine.”

I throw open the door, and my eyes widen, veins filling with rage at the sight of Seth trapping Sophia’s arms against the wall. Their heads snap to me, Sophia’s eyes filled with terror. Seth’s face drips with blood, looking like a deranged animal.I’m going to kill him.I snatch Seth by the shoulder, and slam my fist directly into his nose.

He stumbles backward, holding his face. “Fuck!” He lunges toward me, and I stop him with a blow to his mouth. Blood pours, and he spits it out.What the hell is he doing in here?Seth grabs my neck, throwing me against Sophia’s dresser, causing it to slam against the wall. A picture frame falls to the ground and shatters with the rest of my resolve.

I dig my feet into the ground, using all my strength to shove his heavy body off me. “Don’t ever touch her again!” I grab the collar of Seth’s shirt. “I swear to God, if you ever come near Sophia again, I’ll kill you, you pathetic piece of shit.” He brings his leg between us, kneeing me hard in the stomach.

I stumble back, folding over from the blow. “I’lldecide when I’m done with her!” He throws a right hook at my eye.

I grab his shoulder, pulling him towards me before placing both hands firmly around his neck, squeezing tightly. He slaps at my wrists as his face turns red.

Stop, Elijah.

No, I can’t stop.

He deserves this.

He needs to feel exactly how Sophia felt.

To experience what it’s like fearing for your fucking life.

“Enough!” a loud male voice shouts, snapping my head toward the door. My entire body turns to ice, unease rolling through me like a chilled, dark wave. Will stands there, an unreadable expression on his face, with a shotgun pointed directly at us. I release Seth and step backward, holding my hands up before glancing at Sophia. She stands in the corner, arms folded over herself, with a void gaze. I want to run and pull her to me, but I’m too afraid her dad might shoot me. Will readjusts his aim directly at Seth, who’s coughing, and I exhale a breath of relief.

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