Chapter 44 You Are Nothing But A Coward!
Ryland
I am outside, leaning against my car, waiting for Gracie to come out. She had texted me only ten minutes ago to ask me to hang around outside until she comes, and of course, I said yes.
Suddenly, her front door bursts open and she comes bolting out of the door. I have never seen someone run so fast in my life. I soon realise why Gracie is running. Her dad comes running out after her. He is yelling things at her. I couldn’t quite make them out because his words are slurred. He is drunk, but still seems to manage to move quickly.
He grabs her arm roughly. “Get the fuck back here, you little slut.”
No, he is not touching her or talking to her like that. I make a quick dash and get between them. “Get your hands off her right, or I swear I will knock you out,” I warn and push him away from Gracie.
Gracie hides behind me.
He comes at me. “Who the fuck are you?”
I am not backing down to him. “I will be your worst nightmare if you don’t back off.”
I can hear Gracie behind me, sobbing as she grips onto the back of my tee.
He tries to get around me to get to her, but that isn’t happening. He laughs at me. “This is none of your business, little boy. She is my daughter; I can do as I please.”
I push at his chest, wanting to put more distance between him and Gracie. “Not while I am around, you can’t.”
His fists clench at his sides. He is desperate to hit me. I want him to try because it will give me an excuse to knock him out and call the police on him.
“You won’t always be around. You are welcome to the little bitch. She is worthless anyway.” He says, laughing again.
Anger courses through me. “No, you are the one who is a worthless piece of shit. You are nothing but a coward who thinks it is okay to take his anger out on your daughter. You ever lay a hand on her again, it will be the last thing you do. I swear that I will make sure of that.” I hiss.
He slowly backs away. He is not so tough after all.
“Good luck with that. She can’t do anything right. You are welcome to her,” he says, however the confidence in his voice is broken because he knows I am serious. “Don’t come running home when you end up pregnant because that is what happens when you act like a little slut, Gracie.”
His words snap something in me. I dive at him. My anger has taken over everything else. Rage courses through me. I lift my arm, ready to punch him, but before I can…
“Ryland, don’t. He isn’t worth it. Can we please just go?” Gracie whimpers from behind me and tugs at my arm.
I can hear the fear in her voice. I know the way I am acting is part of causing that. I back off at the sound of her voice.
“Stay away from her. You will never be alone with her again because I will always be close by, so remember that.” I threaten.
He glares at Gracie and then back at me. “This isn’t over.” With that, he disappears inside.
I turn to Grracie and wrap my arms around her, bringing her close to me and holding her tightly against m chest. I stroke her hair, and she completely breaks down in my arms. I want to go inside and kill the bastard. I have no idea how I am going to keep her safe, but I will find a way if it is the last thing I do.
I kiss the top of her head. “I got you, baby girl.”
Gracie lifts her head to look up at me. She looks so sad, and it breaks my heart. Ireach in and wipe her tears away.
A whimper escapes from her lips. “I am sorry that you got brought into this.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Gracie. I will protect you from that monster in any and every way I can.”
She kisses me softly. “Thank you. You are an incredible man, Ryland, but I don’t think it is going to be that simple because I will need to go back at some point.”
I wish I had somewhere to keep her safe, keep her away from him. I can’t exactly move her in with me. My mom wouldnt agree to that. Well, if she knew the truth, then maybe she would, but Gracie does’t want anyone to know what is going on.
“We will work something out, beautiful, even if I need to be around all of the time. I will do that if it means he stays away from you.”
Gracie cuddles into me. “Thank you. We should probably go before Lola starts to blow up my cell.”
“Are you still up for it? If not, we can just hang out at mine.” I suggest.
“I want to go. It will take my mind if things.”
I peck her lips. “Okay, come on then.”
I take her hand in mine and lead us to my car. I let her climb in first before I get in. Gracie brings her legs to her chest and hugs her knees, staring out of the window towards her house. I start the car and drive us away from her house, resting my hand on her knee. I see her out of the corner of my eyes, giving me a soft smile. She places her hand over mine, linking our fingers. I lift them to my lips and kiss her knuckles. It is then I notice the marks on her wrist, her “father’s” fingerprints inprinted om her skin. They are already bruising. I kiss over the marks.
“I am sorry he hurt you like that.”
Gracie rests her head on my shoulder. “It is okay. I have had worse.”
I slip my arm around her, and the rest of the ride is silent. I am hoping the night will make her feel better, and she can come stay with me tonight. As for the rest, I will work that out tomorrow.