Page 53 of The Predator

When he continues, something in his tone sends shivers rolling through me, panic churning in my gut. "Good. Stay put. Drew, Aries, Lee, and Bel will be over to keep you company."

I meet Drew's gaze, noticing the sharpening of it, and the way his lips thin as he studies me. "What? Why? What's going on?" I hate the frantic edge overtaking my tone but I'm incapable of reining it in.

"Do me a favor, though, tell Aries I need him to find me the best lawyer in the tri-state area. It seems the sheriff wants me to accompany him downtown to discuss a couple of things, and I don't talk to cops without legal counsel."

I snatch the phone away from my ear and hit the speaker button. "What the hell, Sebastian? What do you mean—he's taking you to jail?" I nearly screech and twist my hands into the fabric of my shirt to try and calm myself.

"Unfortunately, yes. But stay with them. I'll see you soon, babe. Love you."

There's a click, the signal he’s hung up the phone.

Now I’m both confused and frantic. My voice trembles as I speak, "We have to help him. I don’t think either of you understand how powerful my father is. He’ll kill him. Sebastian's the only thing standing between my father and me."

My phone starts to ring again, sliding on the smooth granite countertop. I peer down at the screen. It's an unknown number.Shit. How did my father get this number? It's a new phone.He couldn't have gotten it off Sebastian's phone that fast, right?

With a hammering heartbeat I move to answer it but Drew snatches my hand in mid-air shaking his head at me. "No, you don’t answer to that fucker anymore. Answering his call would be feeding right into his bullshit, and you’re above that. Sebastian has fought tougher villains. He can take care of himself."

I don’t understand why he’s not taking this more seriously. "He's going to jail, Drew!"

He merely shrugs, "Here is the thing about Sebastian. He’s all about strategy. If I had to guess I would assume that’s exactly where he wants to be. He has a reason for the madness, for even talking to your father in the first place. My bet is he would be livid if we did anything to ruin his plans, and you might be capable of listening to his bitching, but my ears start to bleed when I’m forced to endure his whining.”

I tug my hand out of his grasp and look to Bel for any type of advice, but she’s staring down at the counter, his forehead wrinkled. It looks like she’s devising a plan. "Tell me if I’m right or wrong here.”

“Okay?”

Bel looks up at me, “Your father wants to get Seb out of the way, so he can have you all to himself, right?”

I nod and swallow hard. "Yes."

Bel smiles, but it's a strange smile, almost evil, and it doesn't fit her soft features. "Then you have to show him you can't be separated, that youwon'tbe separated.” I think I know where she’s going with this and I’m not sure I like it. She continues, “I’ll call the lawyer, and you go get changed into something..." she waves at me. "Something expensive looking."

I shake my head, confused. "What good is that going to do?"

"Your father will never expect you to be strong, to show ferocity in the face of fear. What we’re going to do is make sure he knows you’re not to be fucked with. You'll go pick Sebastian up at the police station and prove to your father you’re a united front and that if he wants to get to you, it’s not going to be as easy as he thinks. Show him your teeth and claws; I know you have them.”

Hell, no. I can't face my father! I can barely leave the house let alone stand up to the man who abused me for years. "No, it won't work. I can't sell that, look at me. I'm shaking at the very idea of it."

Drew skirts the counter and spins me to face him. "Do you love him?"

All I can do is blink. I part my lips but nothing comes out.

"It's a simple question." Drew’s features turn cold.

I try to organize my thoughts, considering, weighing, measuring.Do I love him?

"You don't need to think about it. If the answer isn't yes, then it's no."

He releases me, and I wobble on my legs, trying to find the words.Do I love him?Yes. I love him. Even if I shouldn’t. Even if it’s wrong. Even if he’s a murderer. I’m one, too. Sometimes the things you will do to protect yourself and those you love aren’t morally correct.

Turning his attention back to Bel, Drew says, "Let's get the car; we'll go pick him up."

"No!" I growl.

His narrowed gaze shifts back to me. "No?"

"No. I'll do it. I'll go. I’m his wife, and it needs to be me." I can barely believe the words coming out of my mouth right now. "Let me...go change really quickly."

I’m a trembling mass of worry, but I don’t focus on my anxiety. I race up the stairs, grab the first dress I can find that isn't too fancy, and wiggle into it. Shoes come next, and then I walk into the bathroom. There’s a bunch of hair products sitting on the counter, but I grab a claw clip and secure my brown locks in a bun at the back of my head. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I can see the worry lines forming, the fear trickling in. Fuck. I wish I was as good as Sebastian is at masking my emotions. I reach for the mascara and apply a little to brighten up my eyes. The last thing I want my father to think is that I’ve been held up in the house, anxiously waiting for him to attack, even if it is the truth.