Page 49 of Where Love Lies

“What is going—?”

“Who the fuck does he think he is putting his hands on my daughter!” he yells loud enough for Heston to hear. I press my hands against his chest, pushing him back, playing referee once again.

“Do you mind?” I hiss. He finally looks down at me, that look of darkness I know so well deeper than ever.

“I heard you’re marrying this prick. What do you even know about him?” Cam tries to push past me again, and I grab his arm, trying to keep him from barreling through me but he’s stronger than I remember.

“Will you please knock it off!”

“Did he hit you? Has he put his hands on you, Rain?” Cam’s eyes widen, his sudden urge to protect me baffling. I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out.

“What’s going on?” Heston asks, walking out to stand beside me.

I become rigid, my muscles tensing. “Heston, I have it handled.”

“You put your hands on my daughter again, I’ll fucking kill you!” Cam jabs his index finger in the air as if shooting a bullet.

Heston juts his chin, making direct eye contact with Cam, as if he’s ready for a challenge. And that look alone stirs something in me that makes my stomach feel sour.

“She needed discipline—something this family lacks because there’s been no man to take care of them.”

My mouth drops open at Heston’s words.

“You motherfuck—” Cam pushes past me, throwing himself at Heston, fists first. The sound of knuckles hitting bone is so loud, I’m sure the whole neighborhood heard it.

Snapping out of my shock, I run after them, both now on the floor in the house, throwing punch after punch.

“You guys, stop!” Paige hollers, tears streaming down her face.

Stepping over Cam’s legs, I grab him by the hair and pull him back before he kills Heston.

Cam roars and falls back on his ass, causing me to fall into the doorway. Frustration and pain squeeze at my chest, making me feel like I can’t breathe. I’m fed up with this shit. I can’t take it anymore!

“Get out, Cam,” I heave, out of breath. He stands on wobbly legs and points to Heston.

“Something ain’t right with him, and I’m going to find out what it is,” he promises, his tone wrapped in thorns.

“Cam, go!” I scream, my eyes swollen from tears.

Glancing at me one last time, he turns and stomps back to his truck. His motor revs, and he acts like a jackass pulling out onto the street.

Heston stands, dusts off his hands from the dirt, and turns his attention to Paige.

“You’re stepping on the flowers.” His tone is light and airy, instead of irritable and angry. It’s completely abnormal, considering what just happened.

Her face pulls down, tears streaming down her cheeks. She turns red, trying to keep it together, but sobs wrack her chest. Heston thumbs his bleeding lip and walks into the kitchen. He’s calm and quiet, like what just took place didn’t happen. It’s scaring the shit out of me. Is he bipolar?

I push myself up and straighten my shirt. Heston is…off.

Whistling, he walks around the island and grabs his briefcase by the couch. Paige shuffles back as he walks toward us, and I just stare, like I’m watching a monster climb out from under my bed and make himself at home. Stopping in front of me before he walks out, he kisses me on the forehead.

“I’ll be home soon.”

After he leaves, I look at Paige. She stands frozen. I can’t possibly yell at her for telling her dad what happened. He deserved to know. I didn’t tell him because I knew this would happen.

“Come on, honey. Let’s get you settled.” With my hand on her lower back, I usher her to upstairs.

Stepping into her room, she sits on her bed, her eyes swollen and red.

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