Page 98 of Give You Up

“Not so fast.” Something metal is shoved against the back of my head. A gun. Oh, God, there is a gun pointed at my head.

“Hey, there, Grady. It’s about time you were ballsy enough to confront me. But do you have to involve my daughter? Syn’s got nothing to do with me beating on your dad.”

“She does. Syn walks. My dad doesn’t. Syn takes care of herself. My dad wears a diaper and has twenty-four-hour care. You getting the difference, Gary?”

Grady’s voice is calm, like we’re sitting around the kitchen table sharing a meal and having a normal conversation. Except there is a touch of craziness beneath his words. Grady’s been carrying around his hate for a long time.

“Boy, leave Syn be. It’s me you’re after. That is why you’ve been hanging around town, right? To lie in wait for me? Except your baser need got the best of you and you drugged and sexually assaulted a girl.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Reeling, I blink. Blink again.

“Is that true?” I demand.

“Shut the fuck up, Syn.”

“You hurt Natalie? It’s you who has the snake and butterfly tattoo?”

“Yeah, Syn. Yes to everything. I follow Midnight on Insta. Saw a picture of you and his cousin on his feed. You all have the same tat. I had it inked along my ribs as a reminder of what your dad did to mine. How he broke my dad. Ruined his life. Now, it’s my turn to ruin his.”

He shoves the butt of the gun harder against my skull. I stumble forward. My dad reaches for me. Grady tsks.

“Take another step and I’ll blow her brains out.”

“Put the gun down, kid. We’ll talk. Get your dad as much help as he needs.”

“He didn’t need help untilyoufucked him up.”

Fear courses through my veins. Bile rises and coats my throat.

“No one has to know what you did to Natalie. We’ll keep it our secret.” My voice trembles. I am such a liar. “Put down the gun. I’ll give you however much money you want.” And will gladly be in debt for life to Dare. “Please, Grady.”

I lose my shit. Start crying. It cannot end like this. I need the chance to speak with Taron. To get an explanation for why he left his girlfriend back in California.

Raising my hands slowly, I spin around and face Grady. He is as I remember him. Dark-brown hair. Bright green eyes. Strong jawline. Ruggedly handsome. Except he looks older than he should, the lines on his face tense and sharp. It’s what my dad Gary would call “weathered.”

This situation can go one of two ways. One, I die, or two, I put up a fight and risk getting shot in the head. I know enough about guns, having learned about them from Dad, to understand the safety is still on. I didn’t hear the audible click of Grady taking it off.

I open my mouth, ready to beg for my life. The clouds move away from the moon, and that is when I see it. Movement from behind Grady. A tall figure advancing toward us, his steps stealthy and light. Recognizing Taron, I change tactics.

“Why’d you sleep with Natalie? Or was it me you wanted all along?” I slide my gaze up and down his body. “You look good. I should have stuck around Mossy Rock. Take that kiss we shared further, like us fucking further.”

I almost wince, hating using that word in front of Taron and my dad.

“That so?”

“The kiss was hot. It’s what I think about when I touch myself.” Gag.

“Can I?” I purr, my eyes on his crotch.

“Why not? You’re gonna die anyway.” Holding the gun to my forehead with one hand, he unzips his pants with the other. “On your knees, Syn. Show your father you’re as much of a slut as your mom for fucking Taron’s dad. As much of a slut as Taron’s mom for fucking your dad. Shit, Syn, your life is one fucking mess.”

He laughs. I grit my teeth, my knee going up to nail him in the balls. Taron beats me to it. He knocks Grady out with one punch to the back of the head. Grady crumples to the ground, the gun falling out of his grip.

Before I can tell Dad to call 911, I am yanked into muscular arms and crushed against a solid body. Taron’s hands run up and down my body.

“You okay, Pixie Dust? Fuck, when I drove by and saw him in front of your place, I nearly lost it.”

“Thank God you didn’t.” I edge back, and cradling his jaw in my palm, I lean into him, then remember he left his pregnant girlfriend behind for a chance and closure with me.

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