Page 168 of Return Policy

“Alright, and listen, I can’t say I blame you for wringing that kid’s neck… but you can’t let him get to you like that again.” My body relaxes as I watch his anger towards me subside. “We’ll find other ways to protect Sophia that don’t risk either of us going to jail for murder.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now go be with Sophia. I know you’re itching to check on her.”

“Thank you, sir,” I reply before turning around toward the stairs, taking them two at a time, rushing back to her room. I nudge open the door, and the wrecked space makes my stomach tighten. Broken glass, furniture shifted around, blood stains on the floor, and a crumpled-up Sophia sleeping not-so-peacefully in Chloe’s chair in the corner. I crouch down, picking up the larger glass shards.Sophia doesn’t need to wake up to this reminder tomorrow.After I make sure there’s no sign a fight ever happened and double check the locks on the windows and door, I scoop her up gently from the chair and place her on the bed.

After turning off the lights, I slide slowly under the covers beside her. She shoots up straight, gasping for air, and stares at me.

“Hey,” I say gently, putting my arm around her, and she flinches. “It’s me.” I sit up, flicking on the light from the nightstand. “It’s me, baby.” Her wide eyes soften, and she swallows.

“Sorry.” She glances down, fisting the blanket. “You scared me.”

I struggle to breathe from the devastation of seeing her this way. “I’m so sorry, baby.” I run my fingers through her hair, and she tenses under my touch as a stray tear makes its way out of my eye.Come on, man, get it together.Sophia’s eyes connect with mine, and she reaches up, swiping the drop away.

“You’re crying,” she says, blinking with glossy eyes. The vacancy in her gaze earlier terrified me. I’m so grateful she’s speaking again.

“Sorry.” My lips tug downward as I place my hand on her shoulder, pulling her down to the bed so we’re facing one another. “I just hate seeing you like this. I wish I could take away every ounce of pain and fear you have and carry it myself.”

She tilts her head, a weak smile spreading across her lips. “I would never want you to do that.”

“But I would without hesitation.” I place my palm on her hip and dip under her T-shirt, craving the warmth of her skin. She freezes at my touch, and I see it in her eyes, the moment it hits her—the moment she fully takes in whatever the hell happened in here tonight—the moment she cracks in two. Sophia’s entire body trembles beneath my touch as tears flood her face. My own lip quivers, and I fight back the suffocating emotions flooding my veins at the sight of the only girl I’ve ever loved breaking down in my arms. I hold her close, allowing her to stifle her sobs in my shoulders until she finally drifts off to sleep.

Holding her tight, I stare at the wall until the sun comes up, plotting all the ways I could murder Seth and get away with it.

49

SOPHIA

Elijah holds open the door of the police station, and I trudge outside after having filed a domestic restraining order against Seth.I really hope it works.This temporary injunction will only last fifteen days, and then I’ll have to go before a judge to make it permanent. Seth will be at the hearing, and the thought alone makes me want to vomit.

I haven’t told Elijah about what happened before the lights turned on. I’m too ashamed.

I should have known it wasn’t Elijah. Right?

It may have been dark, but shouldn’t I know the touch of the man I love? Why didn’t I know it wasn’t Elijah immediately?

Elijah held me as we fell asleep last night after the chaos and when his hands touched my skin, all I felt was overwhelming guilt.

“I’m supposed to work today, but I can call out,” Dad says as we get close to his and Elijah’s trucks.

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Honestly. I kinda just wanna go home and watch a movie with Elijah if that’s okay.”

“Okay.” He pulls me in for a tight hug. “Call me if you guys need anything?”

“Of course, sir,” Elijah says, shaking his hand.

Dad returns his attention to me. “You don’t need to talk to me about what happened last night… But you do need to talk to someone. I made you an appointment with Janine for tomorrow.”

I nod, knowing it’s long overdue.

Elijah leads me to the passenger side of his truck and buckles me in. He gets in the driver’s seat and looks over at me. “I was so worried about you last night.”

My eyes fall to my lap. “It was really overwhelming.”

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