Page 191 of Chasing Hope

But not as much as I hate his next words.

“I want my good girl back.”

My hand whips out, striking his face so fast he doesn’t see it coming. His head flies to the side, the slap ringing out between us and making everyone around us gasp.

“You fucking broke her,” I spit, my entire frame burning, shaking with such unending rage that the slap wasn’t enough. I keep pushing him, and every time he stumbles, I step toward him, wanting him to burn in hell. “You ruined me! You fucking broke me! You took away my innocence and now you have thegallto show up here and ask for your good girl back?!”

I hear someone vomit behind me, can hear Caleb shouting and my mother crying and people pouring out of the restaurant now, but all I can focus on ishim.

On the man who has haunted me my whole life.

“Evie, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do!” I shriek. “Stop fucking lying, you worthless piece of shit.”

Arms try to grab me, try to pull me back, but I rip them off. I’ve turned feral. I know I’ll look back at this and wonder what took over my body, what possibly possessed me, but right now I don’t care.

“I was three,” I croak out, tears pouring down my cheeks. “Three!” I add with a shrill cry.

“I don’t know?—”

A fist suddenly collides with his head.

Blood sprays as a resounding crack fills the air, his nose breaking.

I blink through my red-filled haze to see Matteo standing beside me, veins protruding from his neck and tears streaming down his face.

His chest is moving so fast it takes just one look to know he’s panicking, that the thing I tried to protect him from is happening and I won’t ever be able to heal the guilt that’s tearing a hole in his heart and soul.

This monster has not only ruined me, but has ruined the man I love.

He’ll never forgive himself, especially not now.

Because the man he admired and looked up to his entire life was the one who destroyedme.

“Valenti!” my brother barks.

Matteo pauses, stilling for a heartbeat before launching himself at the monster again with a roar of pure agony.

Standing back, I do nothing but watch as Matteo beats my father into a bloody pulp.

Chapter 55

Matteo

PAUL PI

I’ve got intel on what you asked for, but I highly suggest contacting the local authorities. I’ve taken one glance and won’t go any further. I don’t want to do anything to corrupt the files in case they take him to court.

Arms wrap around me, pulling me off Marcus Ellington. “Let me fucking kill him! Let me go! I want to fucking kill him!” I scream.

Her father.

It was her dad all along.

The man I worship.

The man Caleb and I idolize.