Page 207 of If By Chance
“Come over here, sweetie.”
She glances at her father, confused. He winks at her and tilts his head toward the car.
She goes.
Why wouldn’t she? He’s her father. He’s supposed to keep her safe.
Every step she takes feels like a mile.
“Please, Rob,” I beg. “Don’t take her.”
“I’m not allowed to see my other daughter. Can you believe that? They’re keeping a child from her father.”
“I can help,” I blurt, desperate and grasping at anything.
His shoulders vibrate with a humorless laugh. “I already asked for your help. You were supposed to be on my side. You weren’t meant to be caught up in this. I thought you wanted what was best for Hannah. Do you think keeping her from me is what’s best?” He doesn’t let me answer. “You’re not living in your house anymore. Where have you been?”
Eyes wide, I try to hide the truth from shining through.
He doesn’t know.
“With a friend,” I lie.
“You’re lying,” he sing-songs.
There’s no heat in the sun around him.
It’s cold.
“I bet it was your sister. Was it?” He shrugs. “Doesn’t matter now. You didn’t do what you were supposed to. You should come with us.”
My brain fights to process.
Go with them?
“Or she can come on her own.” The words are a threat. And he knows I won’t leave her on her own.
Shaking, I bury everything telling me to run.
I can’t.
She can’t be like me.
I stand here, looking at him, feigning strength I don’t have. His blank eyes keep me pinned to the ground. Hands in the pockets of his dark denim jeans, his blond hair is disheveled and greying at the temples. The skin around his eyes is bruised, his lip cut from Jake’s fists, but I see no glossiness in his dark orbs. I can’t even tell what color they are.
He’s not drunk.
He’s angry.
He snapped.
He’s at my back when I walk past him. He’s so close I feel the heat of his body, but it makes my blood icy.
“You’re a big girl. Up front,” he demands when I try to get in the back with Hannah.
My fear is screaming so loud, I can’t even cry.
“Buckle up,” he prompts, his voice eerily calm.