Because my arm is in so much pain, I can hardly hear what he’s saying. I have to make the pain end, and I do so by slamming my head backward, making contact with the center of hisface.
“You fuckingbitch.”
The collision of my skull with his is hard. Maybe a little too hard since I’m seeing stars. But the stars don’t stop me from seeing the drops of blood collecting on the wood flooring. I’m not sure if the blood is his or mine. Probably mine since I suddenly feellightheaded.
“Raaay…” I try to call out for help, but my voice is muffled when Joseph Broussard’s hand comes around to cover mymouth.
He drags me from the hallway back into the library, and I lose one of my ballet slippers on the rug as I struggle againsthim.
“Get the fuck off of her,” Tristan roars as his father’s body is yanked off of me. Pure physical exhaustion takes over the muscles in my body, and I crumble boneless to the floor. And that’s where I’m lying when Tristan punches his father, sending him to the floor. “Never touchher.”
Joseph Broussard is lying on the floor only a few feet away, glaring at me. “She’s Conrad Grant’s daughter. A cheat. Athief.”
“Get the fuck out of my house. Now, before I kill you for putting your hands onher.”
“Son…”
Ray rushes into the library. “Sir…”
“Ray, would you please escort my father to thedoor?”
Tristan’s arms are around me instantly, lifting me from the floor and cradling me like a baby as he carries me up the staircase. He kicks the door shut behind us when he enters the bedroom and gently lowers me to the bed. But I don’t release my hold around his neck. If anything, I squeeze tighter. “Don’t let go of me,Tristan.”
I need to feel Tristan’s soothing touch, his gentle, yet firm hold. My Dom’s protective embrace is what I yearnfor.
He stretches out on the bed and lies beside me, pulling my body close to his. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here. I didn’t know he was coming, and even if I had, there’s no way I could have predicted that out of him. I’ve never known him to do anything likethat.”
“I don’t understand what happened. I didn’t say or do anything to provoke him. I only answered his questions. Iswear.”
“Your father warned you to stay away from us but wouldn’t tell you why. I’ve never had any kind of problems with Conrad, so I can’t be the reason that he hates the Broussards. It must go back to something that happened between your father and mine. I’m convinced of that after seeing that explosive episode out of myfather.”
I didn’t care why my father hated the Broussards, but Joseph Broussard’s attack changes everything. “I have to know what provoked your father to lash out at me that way. And I’m going to find out from mydad.”
“I’m going with you; I need to know what happenedtoo.”
* * *
My father opensthe front door and pulls me into his arms, squeezing me as though we’ve not seen each other in forever although I just spent the last three days with him and the family. “Are you allright?”
“I’mfine.”
He releases me and looks me over from head to toe. “Did that bastard hurtyou?”
How does he know that anything happened tome?
I look at Tristan for an explanation. “I called Conrad while you were changingclothes.”
Tristan didn’t tell me that he had spoken withDad.
I smile, not mentioning that my neck, head, and arm are throbbing and aching. “I’m a tough cookie. You knowthat.”
“I know, but you’re still my little girl, and I don’t like hearing that you’ve been hurt in any kind ofway.”
“I’m okay, Dad. Really. Tristan stopped him before he was able to do much to me.” Lie. That man was able to do plenty that hurt before Tristan came in and stoppedhim.
“Thank you for protecting my littlegirl.”
“It’s my place to protect her, and I hate that I wasn’t there to keep him from laying a single finger onher.”
