“Dad, you have no idea what—”
“You’re right,” he said, his voice growing curt, “we’ve got no idea what you’ve been through this week. But you also have no idea what we’ve been through. We just got you back. Wejustgot you safe. I’m not letting you walk away from this house with someone we don’t know.”
I released his grasp and pointed toward him “That’s Jax.”
“Jax?” he asked.
“He’s the one who escorted me into the hospital and stayed by my side while I did my best to help Rachel. He’s the one that watched my back to make sure no harm came to me while we were there. That’s who’s sitting on that bike across the street.”
Dad swallowed hard. “I don’t want to let you go. Can’t you just… stay one more night? Please?”
HONK HONK HOOOOOONK!
He blared his bike horn like a last call at a bar, and it took every ounce of strength I had saved up for myself to keep standing there with my parents.
“Dad,” I said as I reached up and cupped both of his cheeks, “you have to let me go.”
His gaze watered over. “I can’t. I-I-I—”
But it was Mom that pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “You want to go with him, don’t you?”
Dad’s stare begged me to say no, but I couldn’t. “We’re still on for Sunday lunch, right?”
He swallowed hard before shaking his head. “How can I ever let you go back outside after all this, princess?”
I wiped his tears with my fingertips. “If you want to help me, Dad, if you want to repay those men for keeping me safe, then you’ll let me go live my life.”
The tears that threatened to soak his face broke my heart. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know.”
“I’m so sorry that we ever hid things from you.”
“I know you are.”
Mom wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me close. “I’m so sorry that we ever let you down.”
I released Dad long enough to turn around in her grasp and wrap her up tightly. “Then, don’t keep doing it. Let me do what I know is best for me.”
Dad stroked the back of my head. “I’m so proud of you, Brielle.”
I smiled as I pulled away from Mom and turned back to Dad. “You want to know why everyone thinks I inherited your eyes?”
Dad snickered. “Because we have the same-colored eyes?”
I smiled up at him. “No. Because we always have the same look in our eyes once we understand something. That same accepting, kind, perceptive look. You taught me that.”
Tears lined his stare. “Do you feel safe with them? Can you honestly tell me that?”
I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him close. “I’d be dead if it weren’t for them.”
“But do you feel safe with them?”
It was the most honest answer I had ever given in my life. “Yes.”
He sniffled hard before placing his hands on my shoulders and pushing me softly out of our hug. “Then, go. Live your life.”
Mom pointed at me. “But if you don’t show up for Sunday lunch—”
