Untouchable (Forbidden #1)

Chapter 7

7

C hloe had stood on the porch and watched the police cruiser cart Jake off. It would be a sight she’d never forget.

But that had been hours ago. She’d gotten back from the police station after giving her statement not that long ago, and although she was exhausted, she couldn’t fall asleep. She lay on the couch, the flurry of her parents and aunt discussing the next move surrounding her. But Chloe was in her own world.

Dominic was around, coming and going, but he was keeping himself busy, as if it was just as painful for him to listen to all of this as it was for Chloe.

But the kicker with all of this was the fact Jake didn’t seem sorry at all. Sure, he did because he got caught, but the shit he’d put Chloe through? No shred of remorse. Last she heard, his parents had been on their way. But she didn’t want to see him, them, or anyone else for that matter.

She didn’t even want to be with her aunt or parents. They were loud, acting as though the situation was all about them. Not once had they stopped the arguing and panic to make sure she was okay.

Since she’d been back home the only person who had was Dominic.

And as if he’d heard her thoughts, he came in with an armful of firewood. He had a stern, angry expression on his face as he headed toward the fireplace and set the logs down.

He bent down on one knee and started staking them. Ever since she’d been home that’s all he’d been doing … random stuff around the cottage. She knew it was because he needed to keep busy.

“Pack your bags, Chloe. I think we need to go. We need to get back home and just get back into the swing of normal life.”

She looked over at her mother.

Normal life?

“Your mother is right. We need to go.” Her father was the next one to speak.

Chloe faced forward and took a second to think. “I’m not going anywhere,” she finally said. This was the only place that made her feel at home, safe. And despite what had happened just hours before, Chloe still felt that way.

A collective silence filled the room, and she felt everyone staring at her.

“I’m not ready to go.” But she wished they would.

Because if she were being honest, they made everything so much worse.