Torture me.
“Summer.”Hands cuff my wrists, pulling me back down. Although my brain screamsrun, I know it’s Levi. Levi, who won’t harm me. Levi, whose strength tugs me into his lap. “Summer, nothing will happen to you.”
Levi.
Levi.
Levi.
Levi is safe.
“How do you know? How did he even find me?”
How the hell would Dad figure out where I am, let alone travel here? It’s too far to hitchhike, and they would have revoked his licence. Even so, it’s difficult to focus on the logistics of all this when the facts matter less than the one screamingdanger.
“I’m talking to my lawyers because you’ll be filing against the justice system for how they failed you. Resort security is on the lookout for him, and we’ve been in communication with the police.”
It’s not good enough. You’re not safe.
Levi’s arm wraps around my hip, practically pulling me onto his lap. “Nothing will happen to you, darling. I swear it. Whoever let him onto the property in the first place will pay. I want you to not think about it, to continue your vacation.”
He wants me to—“Levi, no offence, but you realize how stupid that is? As if I could continue my vacation when the source behind so much of my trauma—the reason I’m even here to begin with—has followed me.”
“I need you to.Youneed to.”
“What about nighttime?” The sky overhead now is a glow of orange and yellow, but what happens in a couple hours when it’s dark, and the shadows come out to play? Evil lurks in such an environment. “Or when I’m by the pool and anyone can get to me?”
“I’m told there’s a manhunt out for him. He won’t risk being seen.”
“Yet, he slipped away!” If Dad is desperate, he’ll do anything. He’s always been able to hold a grudge. My entire childhood is the example.
I need out of here. I need have go home.
I manage to break from his hold and get to my feet. He follows me up, reaching for me. “Summer, you’re shaking.”
I can’t do this.Won’tdo it. Not again. I’m no longer my father’s victim. If I stay, it’s what I’ll become.
“You’re safe.” Large hands span my face, forcing me immobile—not that it feels like it makes much of a difference. My mind, body, and soul are all over the place. “I’ll be staying up to keep watch.” He nods towards his cabana, but that doesn’t really change what Dad could do.
Still…he’s trying.
His phone now rests on the cement beside us, dropped when I practically crawled into his lap. He’s been stressed all day,trying to hide this from me ever since the photo from last night. I showed Hunter, and it’s Levi who came through.
It’salwaysLevi. From the minute he saw the slashes in my wrists in school, he’s been there for me.
“You shouldn’t have to.”
His thumbs slide against my cheekbones. “I’ll do anything for you. You know that.”
I nod, because it feels like the right thing to do. “I never understand why you take friendship to the next level.”
His grip grows heavy and possessive, yet soft. “You haven’t figured it out by now? Fuck, how can I make it any more obvious?”
“Make what obvious?”
His eyes search mine before they drop to my lips. His exhale seems to eviscerate his entire being as his hands shift, cupping my face until I’m entirely submissive.
Then, his mouth crashes to mine.