I need a fucking drink.
I shook my head at myself, and my dad called my name.
I slowly turned around and met his gaze.
“Please, just tell me the truth. I want to help. I do,I really do, but I can’t do that without knowing the whole truth.”
I dropped my hands to my sides, shoulders falling as I accepted the fact that this wasn’t going to plan.
“You’re going to think I’m even more insane when you I tell you.”
My dad chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re not insane.”
“You could be in danger, Dad,” I pleaded. “I can’t be responsible for getting you hurt too.”
My dad motioned for me to return to my seat and I reluctantly complied.
“Anything that you’re involved in, I want to know about, Enoch. I don’t care if you think it’s going to hurt me or put me in danger. I care that you’re in danger. You might be grown, but I’m still your dad, I’ll always be here to help you, to protect you.” He reached his hand across the table and clutched my hand. “I love you.”
My eyes closed as I let his words wash over me.
“Okay,” I said on a sigh.
He removed his hand and sat up, rolling his shoulders back, the stoic mask returning. “Okay. Then start at the beginning.”
“It’s Shiloh. Emory is Shiloh.”
My dad didn’t interrupt as I let the truth roll off my tongue, as I explained how we’d met two months ago by complete coincidence that I believed was divine intervention. How she’d been involved with the gang, how they’d forced her to marry this Theo guy. How she left witness protection because she didn’t want to move after we had reunited. How she believed the risk of them finding her was low, but that it was likely my fault he found her. How we’d spoken with her ex-handler, that he was on his way here with information and had agreed to help us if we found outside resources.
By the end, I was struggling to keep my tears at bay. I had to leave the table again when Jae tried to pull me into a side hug. I couldn’t handle the comfort, it would make me think I deserved to break down again when what mattered most right now was focusing on getting Shiloh back.
I paced the kitchen before stopping to lean against the counter, head towards the floor as I took some forceful deep breaths.
My dad was still silent, and it was making me sweat.
I really need a fucking drink.
I shoved the impulse aside, pacing again. One, two, three. Turn. One, two, three. Turn. One, two, three—
My body was spun round by two strong hands, and I let out a grunt as my dad’s arms banded around me, holding me against his chest. I stiffened, not willing to relax.
Was he going to help?
Was he pitying me?
Was he going to let me down ‘gently’ by hugging me first?
My dad sighed heavily, his head tilting to rest against my own.
“I’ll make some calls.”
“Thank you,” I breathed, eyes closing with relief.
“But I’m coming with you to meet this deputy. You’re not doing this alone.”
“I’m not alone,” I replied, looking over my dad’s shoulder to find Jae.
My dad clapped my shoulder before pulling back.
