Page 1 of Your Path To Me

Chapter 1

Archer

Walking out that door and leaving her behind was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. She looked…defeated as she waited for her fate.

My legs felt like cement as I lugged them out the door and towards my Maserati. I slam my ass in the leather seat and press the start button. The engine roars as it starts and vibrates around me. My hand lands on the shifter and I almost move it into gear but my body freezes.

I can’t just leave her.

I haven’t left her since I found out she came back and I definitely can’t leave her like this.

She’s just upset. She doesn’t have her wits about her. She said there was no chance for us, but I can’t expect her to make rash decisions right now. She literally is having her life ripped apart and all because of me.

I can’t let this happen again.

I watched in silence the last time something ripped her apart. I did a little but not enough. I can’t let that happen again…especially since this is all my fault.

I clench my eyes thinking about how things might be different if I hadn’t asked her to take me down there.

Why couldn’t I just ask her out like a normal person?

Why did my love for science have to precede her duties? Maybe my dad is right. Maybe my love for science has all been just a road to nowhere…a fun hobby. If I hadn’t gotten lost in my own ego and interest she wouldn’t even be in this situation.

The big wooden door of the building flies open and I see Macy scurrying out into the clouded morning light. Her face is red and her head is down. I jump out of the car before I can think of any other rational thing and yell her name, “Macy,” my hand flies up.

As soon as I do a summer rain bursts down on us and we both flinch as the big cold drops reach our shoulders.

“What do you want Archer?” she stops and jerks her head around to me.

The look stings me and jolts me a stop.

“Macy, I want to make this right,” I beg.

"Just go away Archer, you've done enough," she turns not giving me another chance, and completes her jog to her car. I stand in the rain and watch her in silence as she starts her car and drives past me in a hurry.

I slide my hands in my pockets as my head and my heart drops and I let myself get soaked on the way back to my car. When I pull my hand out to grab my door, a dainty gold chain is laced around my fingers.

I still have her necklace.

That’s right…

I found it on the floor when we got up to get dressed and she was busy hitting the ceiling with the broom to get us out. I put it in my pocket to help her and never got to give it back with all the hustle and bustle.

I hold the chain between both hands and look at the tiny swan pendant dangling from it. The clasp is broken and somehow it symbolizes to me what I’ve done to her. I’ve broken her life.

My gut wrenches and my entire body tenses as that thought washes through me. I can’t let this happen again. I can’t let another Sampson hurt her like this. If the only way I can show my love for this woman is by making this right then I’m going to damn do it.