Page 115 of Saddles

Shit. I know that sound all too well. He’ll never back down.

My hand flies up to point savagely at him. “You know what? I’m done. You have no fucking clue what I’ve been through, and I’ll just get my stuff back the hard way.” I know I can get all my stuff, it’ll just take me ten times longer.

Dad’s gaze narrows on my jabbing finger, then snakes out and grabs my wrist with surprising speed, exposing the healing cuff scars that ring it. “What the hell? What kind of sick shit is he doing to you? I should call the cops!”

Jerking my arm out of his grasp is harder than I expected, making me lose my balance and tumble against Ford’s chest.

“Don’t touch my daughter, you pervert!” Dad tries to push himself up, and reaches for the call light.

“He’s not! He didn’t do this! You don’t even know what you’re talking about.” A sob locks in my throat. Memories of how I got these marks flood in, freezing me.

Ford wraps his arms around me and shifts so he’s between us.

“April is a grown woman and can do whatever, or whoever she wants. You’re out of your mind if you think I’d hurt her.” He tugs at my waist so I’m tight against his side.

“April—” Dad gestures at me, his affect softening. “—I need you to stay home, sweetie. They’re talking about discharging me, but I have to have some help.”

“Where’s Norma? She fought so hard to keep me away, she can take care of you.” I never want to step foot near him again.

“She had a family emergency,” he says flatly.

Ford grunts.

“What, like Mom did all the time? So she could bring me around to all her boyfriends?” I don’t even care. I’m done keeping secrets.

He doesn’t know who I am. I bet he only wanted me to live with him so he could keep control over me.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. She would never cheat on me. I encouraged her to take you to see the world.” His pious attitude makes my stomach roll.

“Whatever. Have a nice life,Dad.” I pull on Ford, but he doesn’t need any encouragement, nearly dragging me into the hall.

“Fine, you ungrateful brat. He’s going to leave you and you’ll be begging to come back!” Dad shouts after me before the door can close.

My entire body begins to tremble. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

Ford stops me and envelopes me in a fierce hug, practically holding me up as my legs go weak.

His chin rests on the top of my head and we stand in silence until I take a shuddering breath.

“Your dad’s a prick,” he grunts. “And he has no idea how fucking amazing you really are.”

Tears sting in my eyes. “I don’t feel like it at the moment.”

His rough palms cup my jaw and he tilts my face up. “April, your father has no bearing on how you live your life.” His mouth drops into a crooked smile. “He’s just breedin’ stock. You know better than anyone that what a critter is fed makes just as big of a difference on how it finishes. So let’s go get some of that fine Italian food at Chinos.”

That makes me snort. “I like that analogy,” I giggle. Pushing onto my tiptoes, I push my lips against his for a soft kiss.

Chapter 37

Ford

It’s a struggle not to show her how much her father pissed me the fuck off. The entitled asshole is living in his own reality.

April is better than him and I want to make sure she knows she’s appreciated.

The atmosphere of Chinos hasn’t changed in the five years since I’ve been here.

Just walking through the doors brings a sharp pang knowing I was with Sarah when I was here last.

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