Page 81 of Fall onto me

I shake my head, walking towards Foster’s car. “No. We have our car, thanks.” I slide into the driver’s seat just as Wes walks over. He’s in good spirits. A little bruise has appeared on his forehead, but other than that, he looks fine.

I can’t pay attention too much because I’m ready to leave.

“We have to go to the station to give more testimony.” Foster dips into the passenger seat and puts his gun into the glove compartment. It wasn’t fired; only Santiago’s gun was discharged, so Foster’s isn’t being taken for evidence.

“Foster, ride with Wes. I’ll be right behind you,” I tell him, nodding my head towards Wes, who is such a simple, sweet man that I worry he’s going to pass out. Foster takes one look at him, leaning over and trying to breathe that he doesn’t fight me on it. “Drive him home.” I suggest.

He nods, kisses me again, and then helps Wes into the car.

Good.

This ends tonight.

26

The interstate, per usual, is a congested mess.

But that’s exactly what I need.

Wes and Foster are in front of me, and I keep drifting a little farther back from them with each stop-and-go. Once they pass the exit, I make my move.

I’m going home.

The police know that my father isn’t the Keeper, he’s going to be released, and he’s going to take it out on my mom.

I flip open the glove compartment, grab the gun, and tuck it into my waistband with a shaky breath and zip off into the night.

There’s nothing I can do, no solid proof to put Kent behind bars, but I will utilize the right to protect myself tonight if I have to, even if it changes me forever.

I need to get her out of there before that happens.

I race into the front door, knowing that Foster will probably soon realize I’ve slipped away. It won’t be long before he’s here and while the thought of doing this without him scares the shit out of me, this is my fight, and I need to overcome the fear of my father.

Mom is standing in the living room, pacing back and forth. She looks surprised to see me, and immediately she shakes her head. “You need to leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” I match my tone to my unmovable feet. “He’s getting released, and we have to go.”

“I know, they called me.” She pauses. “How did you know?”

I sigh, “Because I’ve been wrapped up in a lot of bad shit, mom. Tonight, we almost died. We caught the guy, he’s in jail now, but that’s why dad was released.”

She nods. “That’s good, honey.” She’s distracted, her eyes pleading with me. “You need to go though. He’s going to be so tired.”

I stomp my foot like a child throwing a fit. “I almost died tonight!”

She shrugs and then reaches into her purse to pull something out. I can’t take it anymore. “Why won’t you leave him?” I scream, showcasing my will to stay by holding onto the back of the couch.

She collapses onto the ground, clutching a note in her hands. It’s the first time I’ve seen her break. Crinkled eyes that shut out the world around her with tears slipping through that land on the luxury rug beneath her. “Because he will kill us all!”

I bend down and grab the note in her hands, opening it slowly. It’s addressed to me. “What is this?”

She stays on the ground like she’s glued to it, peering up at me with big blue eyes that make me feel a need to hoist her over my shoulder and run. “Skyler, read it at home. I was going to give it to you when you graduated, but it seems like it’s necessary now. Please, go anywhere but here.”

I ignore her wishes, and her tears, to read.

Skyler,

Darling. When you were born, I vowed to myself that I would always protect you, and I have failed beyond measure.