Page 174 of Savior
Once we’re outside, I walk her to her car parked in the street opposite my bike, and open the door for her as soon as she hits the key-fob to unlock it. But she doesn’t get in, she turns into me and sobs against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, pressing my lips to her head.
“I’m sorry, baby.” I whisper, holding her tightly, letting her cry out her frustration. “I know this didn’t go the way you hoped it would.”
It isn’t long before I hear her father shouting for her outside, looking for us in the dark.
“I can’t do this right now.” She whispers.
“You don’t have to. I’ll handle this. Get in the car. I’ll be right back.”
She gets into the driver’s seat, brushing her tears away with her hand as she looks up at me from a fluff of black tulle. “Don’t hit my father, Dean.”
“I won’t.” I promise her.
Closing the car door, I walk over to him before he can come any nearer. “That’s far enough.” I warn him.
“Is she alright?”
“She will be. I’ll make damn fucking certain of it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I’ll never stop Vanna from having a relationship with her family. But I will stop her family, if she no longer wants one.”
“She said that?”
“No. I’m giving you fair warning. I meant everything I said to you that day on my front porch. Leave her alone. If she wants to reach out when everything calms down, she will. If she doesn’t, well, at least you know where things stand.”
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are!”
“I think I’m the only fucking person in her life that hasn’t broken her fucking heart in one way or another.” I glare at him. “Beyond that, I’m the father of her child. Her lover and protector. Right now, it’s that last one you need to worry about.”
I can tell by his confounded expression, he doesn’t know how to respond to that. I don’t expect him to.
“Tell your wife and your other daughter, not to contact her. Don’t come to the house. Don’t come to the bar. Don’t call her phone. Don’t even send a fuckin’ letter. Stay the fuck away from her, until she’s ready to give you all another chance. We both know she will, eventually. Vanna’s a fucking angel like that. It’s a goddamned shame none of you see it. I, on the other hand, am not so forgiving.”
He moves to step around me, and I plant my hand firmly against his chest.
“Don’t make me break my promise to her… It’ll be the first one I do.” My voice sounds grave, even to my own ears. He doesn’t push his luck. I remove my hand from him and take a few steps back towards her car, making sure he doesn’t attempt to go to her again. He stares at me a moment longer, adjusting his suit jacket, before he turns and walks back towards the old plantation. I return to Vanna.
“Are you alright to drive?”
“I’m fine.” she sniffles. “I just want to go home.”
My cellphone buzzes in my pocket. I ignore it for now. “I’ll be right behind you.” I tell her, reaching through the car window to gently wipe a tear from her cheek. She blinks up at me with those sad, doe-like eyes that pull at my heart.
“I’m really glad I have you.” She whispers, and I can tell she’s trying not to cry again.
“You’ll always have me.” I promise her.
Removing my still buzzing cellphone from my jacket pocket as I walk across the street to Serene, I see it’s a call from an unknown number. I’m about to shove it back in my pocket when a series of rapid-fire texts come through.
He’s going to kill me this time, I know it.
Please Dean, I need you. I’m at his trailer, he’ll be back soon.
Please, help me! You’re all I’ve got left in this town.
It’s Janie.
Janie Lynn Dawson.
Fuck.
