Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)(129)

“He was arrested for attempted murder. In Chicago,” I reply, but I don’t really feel anything at all. I was used to not having him around, and suddenly he is there, his presence looming around me like a nightmare.

My father. The monster. He destroyed me and my family without even a second thought.

Cole pries the phone from my hand then cups my face and forces me to look at him. “Nor, look at me.” I do. He brushes his thumb across my cheek. “Take deep breaths. Stephen is not here. He cannot hurt you. Or me.” I take deep breaths and finally nod. “He would have to kill me first to get to you.”

“Come on.” He slides down on the bed, and I turn around to face him and snuggle into his chest. He holds me, rubbing circles on my back until I fall into a dream full of monsters.




I woke up hours ago, unable to sleep after last night’s phone call.

I glance at the phone for the hundredth time, anxious to hear from my sisters. I sent them a text one hour ago after debating for most of the night if I should tell them about the disturbing call from Chicago.

Dragging my hands through my mused up hair, I pull my legs up on the couch and prop my chin on top of my knees.

I hate him for showing up in my life again.

I close my eyes and focus on shoving those thoughts from my head.

A hand cups the back of my neck and lips press warmly on my forehead. I open my eyes and see Cole standing shirtless in front of me, the gray pants slung low on his hips. His lips are smeared with red lipstick and his eyes circled with kohl and mascara.

I pull him down for a kiss on his cheek and laugh, momentarily forgetting my problems. “You look so hot, baby.” I wipe my thumb on his lips and show it to him. “I love this look on you. So edgy.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I woke up and you were gone. How are you?”

I shake my head and drop my hands from his face. “Angry. Terrified. I know he can’t hurt us, but that phone call brought back bad memories—”

Cole puts his index finger on my lips to stop my words. “He will never hurt you again. He will have to go through me first, okay?”

I nod. “Okay.”

“Good.” He kisses my nose. “Time to make my woman and my daughters breakfast.”

He turns and walks toward the kitchen. I stand up and follow him, and then sit on one of the stools so I can watch him to distract myself.

God, he is a fine specimen of a man. Those abs, that tight, tight rear. . .my eyes zoom in on his crotch and I swallow hard at the bulge. He was right. He doesn’t need a take-off countdown.

Yes. Batman. I love Batman.




Mom and Pete arrived one hour ago. I still can’t believe how healthy and peaceful she looks. She hasn’t asked about my father, which is a big step for her. She used to ask about him every time I spoke to her when she was undergoing therapy.

She slips her hand in Pete’s and smiles at him, and then stands up and kisses him on the lips.

She turns to face me. “Need help clearing the table, baby?”

I startle on my chair, slap Cole’s hand away from my thigh and shoot up, my cheeks on fire. “Sure.”

I glare at the father of my children, then proceed to clear the table. Cole’s fingers have been lingering on my body the entire evening. Caressing the back of my knee, gripping my thigh, brushing a finger up my inner thigh. . .It’s like he can’t help himself.

“So. Cole, huh? I assume things worked out?”

“Yes, we did.” I smile

“Good, because you two were meant to be.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, fiddling with the dish cloth in my hands. I feel resentment burning a hole in my chest.

“Mom, why did you stay? Dad was so bad to you. To us. It was unhealthy, actually. Why did you stay?” I finally ask the question I’d asked her years ago.

She stares at the counter for a long time before raising those radiant green eyes to meet mine. “Remember when you asked me the same question and I told you that it was complicated?”

I nod.

“My parents thought that your father was only interested in marrying me for the money. They suggested he sign a prenup, which could only be nullified in case one of us died or if I filed for a divorce. If I did the latter, your father would end up getting half of my worth. Things got interesting when my parents died and I inherited everything. He became more desperate. He did everything he could to force me to file for divorce. I’m not even sure why I held onto the stupid notion that he’d change in time. He never loved me. It took me a couple of sessions before I finally saw the truth.

“I loved Stephen at first when we met. After meeting Pete, I realized my parents were right about him. I hadn’t really loved your father. I had been lying to myself. Waiting for him to change. He’d shown me a smidge of attention and my world imploded. We met at a time when I wanted someone who’d love me for me. Not because they were impressed with my dancing skills, or my money. Or worse, because they only wanted a rebound.

“Before I met him, my life was all about pleasing my parents and dancing. Success was the only way to win my parents affection. My twin sister, Sabine, who was also my best friend, was a grade A student. My parents were proud of her so I had to fight to achieve that kind of love. Your father and I went to different schools. We met at a football game held at our school. It was love at first sight for both of us. Or so I thought, until I found out about Cole’s mother.”