“You gonnashootme, Kiera?”I sank my teeth into my bottom lip to stop it from trembling. His head tilted to one side.“What about Billie? Do you think you could live with yourself knowing you killed her daddy?”
“She’ll understand,”I hissed, shifting to the other foot and adjusting my aim.
It’d been a long time since I had shooting lessons, but they were still in there, tucked away in my brain. Aim. Breathe. Pull the trigger.
I repeated the instruction, waiting for him to make a move, but not knowing if I could actuallyshoothim. He was right about Billie; I never wanted her to find out who her father was and how she came to be, but if she ever learned the truth, how could I tell her that I had been the one to end his life?
He lowered his hands, coming to the same conclusion, smugness washing over his features.“Well. I think that answers my question. I think I’ll be going now, but you’d be wise to never contact me again, Kiera. Next time I won’t walk away so easily.”
I swallowed the lump clogging my throat as he walked backward, notdaringto turn around. I kept the gun trained on him until he made it to the front door, and reaching behind, he tugged the door open. With a wink, he spun, running out the door like a goddamncoward, and slamming it behind him.
Lowering the gun, my knees buckled, and I fell to the floor. Glancing down, I saw that in the struggle, he’d ripped my top, exposing my bra strap, and the realization of how close I’d come to being raped again crashed into me like a tsunami of devastation.
A waterfall of tears fell as I dropped the gun, it clattering on the wooden floor as I pulled my knees up to my chest, and my entire body shaking. The events ofthe last few hours flashed through my head like a montage, and numbness swept through me.
I couldn’t do this any longer. Billie had been taken from me, Alec almost killed me, and myheartwasshatteredbeyond repair over the man whom I loved, but would neverloveme.
Helplessness wiggled its way into every pore. When the front door swung open, banging against the wall, I didn’t have the strength to care if he’d come back to take another piece of me. My world had already come to an end; what did it matter if he took the last slice?
Footsteps stomped across the wooden floor, and my gaze lifted. Through the tears blurring my vision, I made out the figure towering over me. Convinced he had come back, I closed my eyes, waiting for him to touch me, but when a different voice reached my ears, I cracked my eyes open.
“Kiki, what the fuck is going on?”Jackson said, concern mixed with curiosity etched on his face.“And why thehellwas my dad here?”
I gaped at him, my brain trying to find a lie to tell him. Overwhelmed by the defeat racing through me, though, words tumbled from my mouth that I promised I would never say.“It’s him. He’s Billie’s father.”
Chapter 25
Kiera- Aged 15
Icheck my watch for the millionth time in the space of ten minutes. Jackson’s late, but he isneverlate. Worry rushes through me as I ring his phone, only for it to go to voicemail. Again.
He and James have been getting more and more involved in Legion business, and some of what they’re being made to do is unsettling. What if something bad has happened to one of them?
I inhale a deep, calming breath, telling myselfthatI’m being stupid. The two of them are fine; they’ve probablyjustbeen held up. Or, maybe I got it wrong, and I was supposed to meet Jackson at his house instead of at the party.
That’s it. I’ve made a mistake. We did talk about meeting at his place; James was already spending the afternoon with Jackson, so we agreed it made sense for me to meet them at Jackson’s house so we could walk to the party together.
I thought we’d changed the plans at the last minute, and I roll my eyes at how our miscommunication has sent me spiraling into a world of panic, but I can’t help it. Jackson is…well, he’s my everything. If something happens to him, I don’t know if I could survive.
Heading to the front door, I sneak out of the party, not bothering to tell any of my friends; they’re too busy hooking up with guys anyway. Besides, Jackson’s house is only five minutes from the party. I’ll be at his house in no time.
A cool wind wraps around me as I make the short walk, excitement coursing through me like it does any time I know I’m seeing Jackson. We’ve been secretlydating for the last few years, but when I turn 16, and we take the next step in our relationship, we’re going to tell everyone about us, and I can’t wait.
I’m so done with not being able to kiss him and touch him whenever he is at my house, seeing James. I want the world to know we belong to each other.
Reaching his house, I ring the doorbell and wait patiently. A few seconds later, Ethan Rivers, Jackson’s dad, appears at the door, his curious features pulling into a grin at seeing me standing there.
“Kiera, what a surprise. What can I do for you?”
“Hi, Mr. Rivers. I think I was supposed to meet Jackson and James before we go to a party. Are they here?”I ask, ignoring the funny feeling in my stomach as his gaze roams over my bare legs.
I wanted to tease Jackson, so I wore a short skirt and a tight-fitted topthatpushes my breasts together. He’s determined to wait until I’m of age before we have sex, but I’m more than ready to try other stuff with him, and I’m hoping he won’t be able to resist me with what I’m wearing.
“I’m afraid not. They’re still running an errand, but they shouldn’t be much longer. Why don’t you come in and wait?”He opens the front door wider, indicating for me to come in. But the feeling in my stomach hasn’t gone away, and I know Mrs. Rivers isn’t home either; she’s out with my mom for drinks. He senses my hesitation.“Come on, Kiera. You know I don’t bite.”
He chortles at his own joke, and my cheeks blush. I’ve known Ethan all my life; he and my dad are close friends, and I know he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. I’mjuston edge, nervous about what I’m hoping will happen between Jackson and me tonight.
I laugh with him.“I know.”
