Page 153 of Wild Embers
Santiago runs in, grabbing Daddy by his shirt, and throws him up against my dresser. I sit up in my bed and yelp.
Why did Santi do that?
Levi moves into my room and stands next to Santiago. “What the fuck, Landon?” His mouth barely moves because he’s gritting his teeth so hard.
“This isn’t what it looks like, guys.” Daddy’s voice shakes. I’ve never heard him sound like that before.
Santiago grabs the collar of Daddy’s shirt and holds him up. “Oh yeah? Because it looks like you’re standing in your daughter’s room with your pants unzipped and the lights off.”
“That’s enough,” Walker shouts. He’s still standing by the door. “Take him outside.”
“Oh, my God.”My breath saws in and out of my lungs, the cold creating an uncomfortable burn, but I can’t slow my heartbeat.
Did they…?
“Blake?” Footsteps pad closer.
Three pairs of hands grip my torso and each of my arms, and I’m hauled backward over the railing.
“Let me go!” I shout, thrashing.
I’m set on my feet, but I can’t run because I’m being held against a solid chest.
Peppermint.
Walker.
He spins me in his arms as two more bodies crowd me, trapping me between the three of them. My fists fly, pounding against his chest even though he’s not the one I’m angry with. Walker just stands there, taking the brunt of my self-loathing.
“Let me go,” I shout again.
“No,” Walker firmly rejects.
“Yes!”
His hands wrap around my wrists, ceasing my onslaught. “Never, Baby Girl.”
My chest heaves from my exertion. “What did you do to him?”
Walker’s face is grave.
“Did you kill him?” I spin, looking them each in the face.
“Yes.” Walker’s tone is gruff behind me.
My shoulders shake as I bow my head. The crushing weight on my chest is too much. I can’t carry it anymore. The tears that have been swimming in my eyes finally fall down my cheeks. It takes me second before I realize the wailing I hear is coming from me.
I did this. Me.
I made them kill someone. I made them kill Daddy.
“We couldn’t ignore what we saw. We couldn’t just leave you there with him.”
Whirling on him, I lash out, pointing my finger in his face as I raise my volume. “I didn’t need you to save me! I didn’t need it then, and I don’t need it now!”
Walker crosses his arms, keeping his tone lethal but even. “You were seven years old.”
I throw my arms up. “I would have figured it out!”
