Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)(87)

He suddenly grins wide, triumph filling his features. “Atta girl. You’re getting it now.”

“Cole has never done anything to hurt you. Is it because he reminds you of your brother? Or did your father brainwash you, so you can’t see anything beyond hate?”

His gaze flickers to the Holloway house, softening a little and lingers for a few seconds. When he swings back to face me, his face is calculating. Hard.

He swivels around and stalks out the front door. I rush upstairs, the impact of his words swirling in my gut.

I can’t get enough air into my lungs. My thoughts run wild inside my head. Surely, he will have Cole killed in the name of revenge. He must have paid someone to hurt Cole. Maybe Mr. Taylor could really help him. Protect him.

But how? What happens when those officers don’t do their job? Maybe they are the same people who beat up my boyfriend.

When I get to the bathroom, I drop in front of the toilet and finally vomit, tears running down my cheeks.

For the first time in a long time, I feel truly hopeless and helpless.





“YOU’RE A JERK, COLE. A big one. I can’t believe you had Nor’s name taken off the visitor list.” Megs glares at me.

“That’s tough shit, man. Do you have any idea what the girl is going through?” Simon speaks the words for Megs’ benefit. He shakes his head.

I clench my jaw. Flex my hands to loosen the pain lodged in there as a result of a fight that happened three days ago between me and The Behemoth. A tall Hispanic guy with three missing front teeth and a Bronx accent. The last words he spat out before landing a blow in my gut were, “A gift from Stephen.”

I rub the right side of my jaw and flinch as my fingers move over the huge bump there. “Do you think I enjoyed telling her not to come back? You think I enjoyed watching her stricken face when she saw me limping toward her? As much as I hate her father, I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that he was the one who was paying people to take care of The Freak. She already blames herself for what happened. I’m locked in here like a caged animal. I can’t bear to see the look of pity on her face.”

Megs throws her hands up in frustration. “Pity? That girl has never looked at you with anything less than adoration.”

Simon stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. “Aren’t you worried she’ll ditch your ass for treating her like that? Maybe some dude has been waiting in the wings for a chance like this, waiting to activate their stalker mode, swoop in and sweep her off her feet. She’s got that innocent vibe on her. Wickedly sexy. Guys love that shit.” He leans back in his seat, satisfied that he’s made his point. He cringes when I shoot him a glare. “What? She’s got them porn tits. She’s hot.”

Megs grabs her purse and whacks Simon on the head with it. “Really, Simon? Porn tits? You’re so not getting any tonight. Or ever.” She scoots her chair away from my best friend, glowering at him.

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose with two fingers. I tip my head back, open my eyes and glance up at the ceiling, which was probably white at one time, but is now almost gray.

Simon just hit me with my worst fear. Losing Nor. What the f*ck was I thinking?

Someone touches my arm. I tip my head forward and meet Simon’s eyes.

“So what happened to the Behemoth?” He stares at my knuckles, which are raw and red from the fight.

“Someone let him in my cell. Luckily, I have picked up a few moves while inside this hell. I have learned to fight dirty. I won. I have my medals to prove it.”

I subtly lift the bottom of my T-shirt. “Just one broken rib this time.”

“Yeah. That and a black eye.” Megs stares at me with wide eyes. Her eyes lower to my covered midriff, then up at me. “This looks bad. Are you in too much pain?”

I shake my head. “It was worth it. I broke Behemoth’s jaw and a couple of ribs.” I grin. She grimaces. Simon locks his jaw and averts his eyes from me. “Do you understand now why I didn’t want Nor to see me like this? I don’t know how long Stephen will do this. I don’t have any proof to show he’s been sending them.”

“So, what are you planning to do with Nor? She’s getting desperate. You know how determined she is when she gets that way. She will turn every rock to look for a way to see you.”

My back straightens and I narrow my eyes are on Megs. “What is she up to? Has she told you anything?”

She scowls at me. “I’m not even going to justify that with an answer. Do you think you can ban my best friend and then expect me to tell you anything?”

I glare at her. Jesus. Nor is definitely up to something. I glance at Simon. He shrugs.

“Don’t look at me for answers. I’m with Little Miss Sassy over here. You had better be very good at apologizing when you leave this place.”

I purse my lips. “I will f*cking woo her. I will compose a damn sonnet if I have to, just as soon as I murder her father first.” Rage burns through my veins and my hands curl into fists.

“That sonnet had better be f*cking stunning. Better than Shakespeare.”

The visiting time draws to a close and my friends leave. Afterwards, when I get to my room, I lay in bed obsessing over Nor being swept off her feet by some guy. I f*cking hate my best friend for putting those images in my head.