Chapter 10 #2
But when they were alone together, his silence terrified her. It was like he knew every bad thing she’d done. Knew she’d ratted on Dillon.
Knew she’d still do anything to get away from him.
When the trailer park came into sight, Claire tried to relax. She had another night alone—another night before Dillon came back.
The drive through the park felt like an eternity, but eventually, her dad pulled outside her home. Claire went to unbuckle her seatbelt, but his voice stopped her.
“Claire.”
She stiffened, her spine prickling. “Yeah, Daddy?”
“You seemed awfully comfortable with that detective. I understand he happened to be in the neighborhood when you found the body last night. Seems convenient, don’t you think?”
His eyes were the color of ash in the half-light of the vehicle. She felt like he was inside her head—feeling her pulse spike, her sweat glands activate, her pupils dilate. All the telltale signs of fear, of lying, that she desperately wanted to hide.
“The whole thing’s a blur,” she managed. “I remember biking, finding the body, and then the detective was there.”
“Huh. He’s sweet on you, y’know.”
Claire let out a pathetic laugh—a genuine one, at that. “He’s not sweet on me. That’s ridiculous.”
“Oh no, he is. Men like him want somethin’ to save, like maybe if they fill their black hearts with good deeds, they’ll feel better about whatever it is they’re runnin’ from.
Dillon’s been cleared. He didn’t kill those two girls.
So my question then is, why’s that detective still think you need to be saved? ”
“The victims do look like me…”
“It’s more than that. It’s personal. Like he thinks Dill ain’t right for you.”
Claire had to choose her next words carefully. “If he saw something wrong in my relationship with Dillon, that’s not my fault. Dillon was cheating, Daddy. The police found that out on their own.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” He sighed, turning into something that almost resembled tender.
“Listen to me. There’s a difference between the stupid shit a man does with his dick and the depth of his loyalty to you as part of his family.
You’ve got a good thing with Dillon. I know you might feel confused right now, but he’s loyal to this family.
He’s got strong genetics—not the tallest guy, but well-built.
Strong. He’ll give you a strong son. It’s high time ya’ll start moving forward with that part of your arrangement. ”
Not much surprised her these days, and yet she found herself shellshocked he wanted to have this conversation now, of all times. “I’m not ready for that. Clementine just had Sully...”
“And I don’t want my grandsons too far apart in age. They’ll be supportin’ each other long after I’m gone. It’s time you two tied the knot.”
“What if Dillon doesn’t want to? I don’t think he loves me, Daddy.”
“Claire Bear.” His voice was so sickly sweet, but his eyes were another story.
“Love’s hardly the most important thing in a relationship, fact is, it’s hardly a part of it at all.
It’s a bunch of chemical bullshit that happens when you’re young, but you outgrow it.
Dillon knows what’s expected of ’im. And you know what’s expected of you. ”
He touched her face. Claire turned to ice. When he acted like this—so caring—it scared her the most.
“Never forget who raised you, Claire,” he cooed, stroking her cheek with his thumb.
It felt like a jagged rock. “Kept clothes on your back and a roof over your head. Hell, if I didn’t keep you at the bar, where would you be workin’?
If Marty and I hadn’t saved your ass that last night you tried to run away, you’d be off in a gutter somewhere, sellin’ your tits for pennies ’cause no one would give a damn about you.
What you saw last night, Claire Bear—that’s what men are capable of.
That’s what’s waitin’ for you out there. ”
A cold tear streamed down her cheek. She felt out of her body as she said, “Why are you being so cruel?”
Her dad laughed. A genuine, belly laugh.
When he lowered his hand from her cheek, Claire let out a shaky breath.
“Sweetheart, if you think that’s cruel, you’ve got another thing comin’.
You’ve seen for yourself now, what some men can do to some women.
Those girls didn’t have what you have—they didn’t have strong men protectin’ ’em.
Sometimes it’s best to stick with the devil you know. ”
Claire’s eyes burned. She wanted to bawl, but she wouldn’t show that kind of weakness in front of her dad. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing it.
“Don’t you worry, Dillon’ll get the message, loud and clear. He won’t be screwin’ around on you again. Now go on. Better make sure the place is nice for when he gets out.”
Claire spilled out of the truck. Her dad idled while she awkwardly pulled her bike from the bed of his pick-up. Once it was out, he drove away. She watched his backlights disappear around the bend, the grumble of his engine loud against the sound of the crickets trilling.
You could leave.
Right now.
Get on your bike. Take the cash you’ve saved up and go.
Go where?
She didn’t know how to drive a car. She didn’t know how to defend herself. She didn’t know how to shoot a gun.
She’d never learned how to stand on her own two feet.
She’d never been allowed to learn.
Even now, she struggled to stay upright. She felt as though she’d been punched in the gut.
Because deep inside, she knew he was right. The devil she knew was all she’d ever get.