Page 73 of From That Moment

I didn’t like calling him that. I had never mentioned my father’s name before, so Prior wouldn’t have known who I was talking about if I didn’t elaborate.

He moved forward and stood between Skeeter and me.

I put my hands on Prior’s back, catching my breath, his warmth seeping through my palms as I closed my eyes. I took in a deep breath, telling myself that I wasn’t in the same place I had been before. I wasn’t that little girl any longer. I wasn’t going to get hurt today. I had stood up to Benji, and I would have stood up to my boss if I’d needed to.

I could stand up to the man who killed my baby sister.

“You need to back the fuck off. Get off this property. We’re calling the cops right now.”

“You have every right to call the cops and take me away. I just wanted to say I was sorry. Sorry for everything. Me telling you I’m a changed man isn’t going to do anything for you. I didn’t know how to write it down, I was never good with words. And I didn’t want to call because I’m selfish. Or maybe because I was scared. You don’t have to look at me again, Paris. You can stand behind your man, and I get that. Maybe I’d do the same if I had someone. I don’t. And that’s my fault, too. I’m sorry, Paris. I’m sorry for what I did to you. What I always did. I’m sorry for what I did to Tracey. I’m sorry that I lost her. I loved you guys.”

“Shut up,” I said and moved around Prior. Prior’s jaw tightened. He didn’t push me back. I stood next to him instead of in front of him. He was going to let me fight my own battles. I wasn’t going to force him to watch me get hurt.

“Don’t say her name. Don’t talk about her. You need to go.”

“Fair enough. I own all of it. You can do whatever you want to me. I’m going to burn in hell for what I did, and I understand that. I wanted to let you know that I’m sorry, though. And I’m not going to be here any longer.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused.

“Just want to let you know I’m not going to bother you anymore. No matter what. If I see you accidentally at a grocery store, I’ll leave. I’ll come nowhere near you, and I’ll never hurt you again. I wanted to tell you I’m sorry.”

“Fine. You’re sorry. Now, go.”

He looked at me again. This time, Prior had had enough. And I let him do what he needed to do.

“You’re done. Go, before I do call the cops. You said your piece, she didn’t have to listen to you. If I ever see you again, I will let out all the rage that I’ve been holding in today. And you do not want to deal with that.”

“I understand, son. Take good care of her.”

“I’ll do a better job than you ever did,” Prior said, and I saw the words hit my father like a slap. I didn’t feel any joy in that, only pity.

My father gave me one last look and then walked away. I had a feeling this would be the last time I ever saw him.

He got into his old beat-up sedan and drove away, leaving me and Prior standing on my porch, my hands shaking.

And then Prior was in front of me, his hands on my face as he studied me.

“Baby?”

“Thank you,” I whispered, and then I leaned into him, holding him close. I took in his scent, letting it soothe my nerves and breathed.

I had faced the man who had killed my sister, the man of my nightmares, and I had made it. I had said what I needed to, and I would never see him again.

As Prior held me, I thought of another thing that worried me.

Because the man who stood in front of me had not been big enough, had not been wide enough, had not been strong enough.

The man who was my father was not the person who had attacked me in the parking lot.

So who the hell had it been?

Chapter 15

Prior

I stoodnaked in my shower, my hand around my cock. I pumped it hard, the water turning lukewarm.

“Harder.”