Page 212 of Always Love You More

My head rears back. Who the fuck does he think he is?

“You can’t say shit like that,” I snap.

He steps forward. “Why not? It’s true, isn’t it? How else did you get him wrapped around your finger, huh?”

“I called him because I was scared, because I felt unsafe in my own fucking house!”

“Oh, come on,” he scoffs. “Quit with the goddamn dramatics.”

“Carson chased me up the stairs!Chasedme, Dad.”

He quickly flicks his eyes to Carson before returning them to me. “That wasn’t something he should have …” He rubs at theback of his neck. “He shouldn’t have done that, but you put him in a position that made him act that way.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“And then you went and ran to that scum—”

“Don’t call him that.”

“That boy’s father already got Johnny killed.”

I flinch, taking a step back.

“And still you’re with him. Still you bring him into our house.”

I glare at him. “Jameson’s nothing like his father.”

He laughs, the sound nearly pushing me over the edge. “Why don’t you take a good fucking look, sweetheart,” he chides, pointing at Carson. “That boy’s exactly like his piece of shit father.”

“He was protecting me,” I counter. “God knows I neededsomeoneto.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You were blacked out. Dead to the world. I needed someone to protect me from your precious golden boy,” I sneer. “And I knew it wasn’t gonna be you.”

“Watch that fucking mouth of yours.”

“Or what?”

He raises an eyebrow. “What? Are you tough now, is that it?”

My response dies on my lips as he steps forward. I grab my phone, but he rips it out of my hand, tossing it aside.

“You can’t just—”

“I can’t what, hmm? I’ve had enough of this attitude. I’m your father—you need to show me some goddamn respect.”

“I don’t need to show you shit,” I tell him before I can think better of it.

His eyes flare, and I shuffle back, starting for the door, but I don’t make it far before his large hand circles my wrist. I let out yelp as he throws me onto the couch. “Sit down.”

Panic courses through me as I take in my position.

I’m trapped.

Alone.

“He’ll come after me,” I force out. “He’s waiting outside.”