Graham grabbed Roman’s shoulder, trying to get a look past him. Then he sent me a look, confusion tightening his features.
That was when I heard it—the faintest hint of a reply. A voice far from the doorway, but unmistakable.
Without thinking, I moved.
I pushed past Graham, who said my name sharply, but I didn’t stop. I ducked under Roman’s outstretched arm, heart pounding so hard it rattled my ribs.
And there he was. Standing at the bottom of the porch steps. Looking just as livid as he had yesterday.
Preston.
Our gazes locked, and even in the darkness I saw his jaw clench.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
He glanced at Graham and Roman. “Can we talk?” he said with forced calm. “Privately?”
I stepped out onto the porch, wrapping my arms around my chest against the chill of the night. Someone grabbed my elbow, and I turned my head to see Graham, his face creased with more worry.
“It’s fine,” I said.
Graham glanced at Preston and then at me. “You sure? I can stay out here with you.”
I shook my head. Despite what had happened in my room, Preston didn’t scare me. And we were right outside, in full view of the street and other homes. “I need to talk to him.”
Reluctantly, he let me go. He and Roman shared a look, but they both stepped back inside the house and slowly closed the front door, leaving Preston and me outside.
I turned my attention back to him. “What are you doing here?” I repeated my question, walking across the porch to the top of the steps. I didn’t want him closer to the house, though I wasn’t sure why.
Preston laughed bitterly, raking two hands through his disheveled blond hair. Now that I was closer, I could see him more clearly in the porch light. He looked…wrecked. His hair, which was usually neat and combed back, stuck up at all angles and fell over his forehead. His nose was swollen, the tip and bridge red and starting to bruise. A sense of satisfaction washed over me at the sight of it.
I’d seen Preston in many different ways, but I hadn’t seen him this disheveled since his father passed.
“I decided to stay in town for the weekend.” He scoffed, like the thought was ridiculous now.
“You stayed in town? Where?” As far as I knew, the bed-and-breakfast was one of the only places to stay short-term.
Preston put his hands on his hips, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter where I stayed or what I did after you fucking disrespected me yesterday.” His eyes were suddenly blazing as he looked back up at me.
I blinked at him, a rage lighting in the pit of my stomach. “Disrespected you?” I spat, stomping down the porch steps and glaring up into his face. “I think you’re the last person to speak about disrespect, Preston. I don’t think you’ve respected me a day in your damn life.”
Preston matched my glare, looming over me. “Fuck. You,” he snarled.
I rocked back on my heels, almost bursting out laughing at how pathetic he was. “You’re not, that’s for sure.” I raised my brows. “You’ll never touch me again.”
His whole face went red, and it did nothing to help me hold my laughter back. I chuckled and he stepped toward me, grabbing my upper arms so hard I gasped in pain.
He drew himself so close, his mouth was a breath away from mine, his teeth bared. “Really?” he hissed. “This is the conversation you want to have now? Are you trying to distract me, you little whore?”
My heart raced as I stared at him. I didn’t care what he called me anymore, but his grip was so tight on my arms he might leave bruises. “Distract you?” I managed as the fear started to seep in. “From what?”
He let out a humorless laugh. “You know what happened. It’s all over the news. My phone has been ringing constantly. The police, the prosecutor,everyone.” His eyes narrowed on me. “What did you do?”
“What do you mean?”
His nostrils flared, his hands tightening even more, his fingertips digging into my skin.
I stifled a whimper.
