CONVICT by Callahan Kelli

Author:Callahan, Kelli
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kelli Callahan Books
Published: 2021-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“I don't like this,” I growl pacing back and forth at the end of the pier. Charlie stands beside me, bundled up in my coat and sweats. “It's too open.”

“I guess,” she says, looking around.

“We should have stayed by the tree line. No one would see us there. Might as well light up a fucking sign saying ‘hey we're over here! Come get us!’”

“I think you're being a bit dramatic,” she sighs.

I turn to look at her.

“What? Seriously, I don't think he'll be out here.”

“God, I hope not,” I say, glancing back around. Turning, I see Jake, Lucy, and Kenton arriving at the same time. Raising my arm, I wave, and Lucy runs at me full speed ahead and jumps into my arms.

“Dad!” she gushes. “I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worried about you and Charlie! Oh my God, Charlie, look at you!” she says, stepping toward her friend to hug her. Then, pauses, she sees the bruise on Charlie's forehead, now purple and green, and her hand bandaged. Her lip is less swollen than it was yesterday, but still she looks like a mess. A beautiful mess, but still.

“Baby.” Kenton walks over, pulling her close to him and kissing the top of her head lightly. “Oh my God, I was so worried about you. When I got the call from the sergeant saying that they found your blood all over the scene and you were nowhere to be found... Christ, do you know what that did to me?” he pleads, his voice low and his eyes desperate.

I understand what he's feeling. It's the same thing I felt when my father threatened my children, and I was afraid that I would lose them. I feel it now, seeing Lucy here, fully exposed. Raising my arms, I pull her in for another hug, holding her close. “God, Lucy, you should have stayed in California,” I whisper. “It's not safe here.”

“It's fine, Dad,” she says, looking up at me. “Why didn't you call? We were so worried.”

“I didn't call because I didn't want you to come,” I say, looking back at Kenton. “Do you have any idea the amount of danger you brought my daughter into by bringing her back here?” I ask, my voice low and dangerous.

“My kid’s in danger too.” Kenton curls his arm around Charlie.

“Yeah, she was safe in hiding. Just like Lucy was in California,” I argue.

“You seriously thought that I was just gonna stay in another state while my child is being hunted by a deranged psychopath?” Kenton snaps.

“No, I thought you would use your brain and keep safe the one person you can,” I say. Nodding toward Lucy.

“Dad, come on,” she whispers. “Don't be like this.”

“Be like what?” I growl. “He's put us all at risk by coming back to this town and dragging us all together.”

“Oh, for fuck sake,” Charlie interrupts. Everyone pauses to look at her. “This is ridiculous. There's no point in us arguing. We have to figure out what we're going to do.

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