Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“What in the hell were you doing to her?”
David wiped the side of his mouth and stood. “You need to turn around and get the hell out of my house.”
I balled my fists together, prepared to continue this fight, and shook my head. “How could you do that to your daughter?”
“Nate, please. Please don’t make him mad.”
I looked at Haven, and that was when I saw her bruised cheek. “Did he hit you?”
Her eyes darted away, and I had never in my life felt such anger. Turning back to David, all I felt was burning rage, and all I saw was red as I lunged for him, knocking him back onto the floor. Then I just started hitting him in the face over and over until I felt Haven pulling at me.
“Stop! Nate! You’re going to kill him, stop!”
I let her pull me away as I stood and looked at the man lying on the floor, covered in blood. “Doesn’t feel so good getting hit on, does it, asshole? Next time fight someone who can fight back.”
David looked up at me and smirked as he went to wipe the blood from his lips. “What are you going to do, kid?”
“I’ve already called the police.”
Haven gasped next to me. “What?”
Looking at her, I felt the anger rise up again. She looked terrified. So I whispered to her, “I haven’t, Haven, but I will.”
“No! Please, Nate.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “How could you let him get away with this, Haven? If he’ll do that to his own daughter, what will prevent him from doing the same—or worse—to someone else? It’s settled, we’re calling the police.”
David stood, spit out some blood, and bolted out of the room like his ass was on fire. I followed him. “If you think I’m going to let you leave this house, you are crazy.”
David quickly beelined it for his bedroom, went to the closet, and grabbed a duffle bag.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“If you think I’m going to jail for this, you’ve got another thing coming, kid.”
I went to walk over to him again, but felt Haven take my hand and pull me. “Nate, please. Let him go. Please.”
I turned to look at her. “But, Haven, he…”
The look in her eyes caused my voice to trail off.
She swallowed hard and whispered, “Please. I can’t have anyone find out. Please.”
David walked by us and down the steps.
“Haven, he was hurting you. He looked like he was about to...” I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. “His own daughter. We can’t let him get away with that.”
She frantically wiped her tears away. “I can’t…I can’t do this. Please, I’m begging you.”
“Stay here,” I said as I quickly went downstairs. The front door slammed, and I ran out to catch David before he took off. Grabbing him, I pushed him against the truck.
“I swear to God, if you ever come back to Hamilton, get anywhere near Haven, or so much as attempt to contact her, I won’t be calling the cops. I’ll be digging your fucking grave. And I won’t be alone…every male member of my family will happily help bury your sick ass.”
He smirked and pushed me away. “Ain’t nothing here for me anymore anyway.”
Slipping into the truck, he shut the door, started the engine, and rolled his window down. “Don’t worry, boy, she’s still intact if you want a go at her.”
I reached in and grabbed him again, hitting him this time with my left fist. The blow wasn’t as hard, but it caused him to step on the gas and drive away, knowing I wouldn’t stop with just one hit the longer he stayed there.
I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, watching his truck, before I looked around. No one had been outside when I punched him, but I wasn’t sure if anyone might have seen or heard anything from their house.
Remembering Haven, I ran back into the house and up the steps to find her in bed. Her legs were pulled up to her chest, her chin on her knees as she rocked back and forth. I slowly moved closer and sat down on the bed.
“Are you okay?”
Tears streamed down her face, and she nodded. I pushed a brown curl behind her ear. “Haven, why won’t you let me call the police?”
She lifted her head and shook it. “It would destroy my mother, and I only have a handful of friends as it is, I don’t want to lose them. I can’t, Nathan. I can’t go through with that. I just…can’t.”
Reaching for me, she grabbed onto my arms. “Promise me, Nate, promise me right now that you won’t tell a soul. Not even your parents.”
I closed my eyes. “Haven, I think we need to tell someone. What if he hurts others too.”