Page 39 of Touch Her and Die
“Emilee, you should be happy this was the worst of your punishment. Your father? He’s an asshole. I can’t just pig farm my way out of a marriage.”
The wind blew around us just enough to rustle her hair and give me goosebumps.
“Are you cold? I brought you a few long sleeve shirts. I’ll leave my credit card and you can order some things for delivery. Just make sure it’s my name on the—”
I put my hand over his face.
“Shh. I won’t be here long.”
His hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled my hand away.
“Yes, you will.”
I shrugged and popped another bite into my mouth.
“We will see.”
He blew out a breath, his voice stern as he spoke to Emilee.
“You owe me a favor. Keeping Halle safe is it. If she does something stupid...”
He just stopped talking and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading over my lips.
“There is no if, is there? It’s just when?”
Parks seemed like a real human here. Not some rich hired muscle. A real man. And as he let his forehead bang on the table, the last remaining bit of my wall crumbled.
“Parks, I can’t be controlled. But you already know that don’t you? And yet you’re still trying to keep me safe?”
His words were mumbled against the table.
“What was that?”
He turned his head to me.
“Halle, I wasn’t kidding when I said I loved you and I wanted to marry you. I wasn’t kidding that I wouldn’t let things be as they are either. Whatever you need. But I can’t see how anything will work if you get yourself killed. Could you listen for once?”
His phone buzzed and he sat up, reaching for the damn thing.
The color drained from his face.
“What was that?” asked Emilee.
His hand was shaking.
“I need to get back to the city. Your father is demanding we move up the wedding to this weekend.”
At that moment, something in me snapped. Not the murder spree kind of snap. The kind that had the world turning into a buzz of noises. My skin heated and sweat beaded on my forehead. Was this what being human felt like? The news? The words he’d just said? I ran to the lawn and let everything come right back up.
I couldn’t do this anymore.
The legs of a chair scraping against the floor told me someone was moving.
My arms shook as they held me up.
“Halle? Are you okay?” Park’s warm hand pulled back my hair.
I gave him a watery smile. “Sure. Fine. Make sure I get an invitation to the wedding.” And I pushed him aside. I pushed him aside and my feelings. I moved to get up, my legs wobbled for a moment. He tried to put his hand on my shoulder, and I shook him off. My feet finally obeyed and walked away towards the room that I was being held captive in, except this time it was me. My choice. I was the prisoner and the guard. I was trapped in my own misery.
