Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 113464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
I squeeze my eyes shut when Callum lets out a feral growl. This is more uncomfortable than I imagined it would be. “I swear, it couldn’t have been more than half a minute before she started screaming.”
That’s what it does. The thread he was still hanging onto snaps, and he rages. “Son of a bitch—”
Romero grabs him and holds him back while I blurt out, “No, no, the guy came out and swore all he did was try to kiss her. He had all his clothes on, and so did she. He was totally confused and freaked out. They left right after, and she locked me out of the bedroom.”
Callum’s breathing like a bull ready to charge. Romero’s gaze looks stormy, too, but he has a better grip on his self-control. “You believed him when he said nothing happened?”
“There wasn’t enough time for something to take place.”
Callum shakes Romero off and shoots me a disdainful look before crossing the room. All I can do is hold my breath and hope he doesn’t make things worse by throwing his weight around and acting like a possessive asshole.
He raises his fist, and I brace myself. I’m afraid he’s going to pound on the door, but his knock is gentle. “Tatum, sweetie? It’s Dad. I’m here. Unlock the door.” I’ve never heard him talk to her that way before. So tender and kind.
Please, listen to him. My insides are churning, and I’m breaking out in a cold sweat. Seconds tick by. Then the lock clicks, and the door slowly opens.
Tatum’s face is tomato red and slick with tears. “Daddy.” She walks straight into the circle of his arms and presses her face to his chest before heaving out a sob.
“What did he do to you, baby?” He strokes her hair with one hand and even sways slightly from side to side. Like he’s rocking her.
“It wasn’t… him…” She shakes her head, crying harder.
“Who was it?” Slowly, he walks her to the silk-covered sofa and sits her down before sitting beside her. He wraps a secure arm around her. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”
A glance at Romero tells me nothing. He’s so intense, staring at the two of them, barely blinking.
“I didn’t want you to know.” Her voice is thick, and she’s shaking so hard her teeth chatter. “I’m so ashamed. Please, Daddy, don’t kill him. Okay?”
“Who, baby?”
My throat is so tight, I can’t breathe, but I can mouth the name along with her. “Kristoff.”
Damn it. I didn’t think. I didn’t put it together. Now everything is making sense.
Callum’s nostrils flare, and his eyes narrow to slits, but he keeps it together enough to mutter, “What did he do to you?”
“He…” Her guilty gaze meets mine before darting away. “He hurt me. I didn’t want you to know. On the trip. In Europe.”
He closes his eyes and breathes slowly and deliberately. “How?”
“He…” She’s still weeping as she slides her shoulders out of her cardigan until her bare arms and their bruises are visible. The lamp on the end table shines bright on the ugly marks. Romero makes a choked sound while Callum only stares at the bruises, wordless. I’ve seen the look in his eyes. He might not be speaking, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t raging inside.
“And…” She ducks her head, then covers her face with both hands. “One night, I didn’t want to… but he wouldn’t stop… and he… I couldn’t make him stop!” Callum pulls her against his chest and closes his eyes, rocking her again. “It was so bad, and he hurt me.”
I have to cover my mouth to stifle my sob. She didn’t tell me that part. No wonder she lost it when a stranger tried to touch her. No wonder there were bruises on her thighs. Why didn’t she tell me?
“Okay, baby,” Callum murmurs, stroking her tangled blonde curls. He’s still holding on, but he could snap at any second. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong.” He kisses her sweaty forehead before brushing the hair away from her skin. “You don’t owe me an apology. I’m glad you told me. You shouldn’t have to keep something like that inside.”
“I’m ashamed of myself,” she admits in a whisper, running her hands under her eyes. “I lost it earlier, too. It wasn’t his fault. I just…”
“You don’t have to explain. And you never have to worry about telling me things. When you need help, I’ll be here to help you. Always.”
“Dad.” She’s still shaking and sniffling, but looks him in the eye. “I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid of what you’d do to him.”
Romero takes a step toward the sofa, his fists clenching. “You want to protect him after what he did?”
“No. But I don’t want to cause trouble.” She squeezes Callum’s hands. “Please, don’t do something stupid because of me.”