Chapter Twelve
Archer
Is it the spider’s fault if a fly gets caught in his web? Sure, the spider built the web, but the fly still had to come into its airspace.
I stare at Marin’s ex. He’s exactly what I expected, a boy pretending to be a man. A boy dressed in a suit and tie. A slave to some corporate culture. A mindless working machine that I’m sure knows nothing useful about the land or the world.
I’m guessing that’s what makes him feel the need to take aggression out on women. My woman.
Maybe his suit is on too tight. That, or he has some deep-seated mommy issues. Either way, the spider is about to murder the fucking fly.
I grab my gun by the front door and glance back at my girl who’s standing in shock by the doorway.
“Go back to the bedroom and lock the door. Under no circumstances do you call the cops.” I kiss the top of her head.
“I promise every time we have sex won’t be so dramatic, unless you’re into that, then… I can make it happen.”
She tugs on my T-shirt, allowing the fabric to swallow her up as I put on my boxers.
“I’m not letting you go out there alone. I know you. You’ll end up in jail.”
“Dumb fucks end up in jail. I’m not a dumb fuck.”
She shakes her head and pulls open the patio doors like the defiant, little brat I love her for being. “This part isn’t a game, Archer. These are my issues. I need to handle them.”
While I appreciate the sentiment, there’s no fucking way I’m letting her handle this alone. Hell, I invited the prick here to stop the chase and finish him off once and for all, not for a fucking therapy session.
“What the fuck are you doing, Marin?” the asshole squeaks. “You’re,” he glances toward me then back at Marin as though he’s embarrassed by what he’s seen, “fucking this guy? We were together for a year, and you wouldn’t touch me.”
She shrugs. “You didn’t make me want to fuck you. Archer does.”
I like the sound of that.
“Archer?” the asshole repeats. “What kind of fucking name is Archer? Is he a fucking Disney villain?”
“Depends,” I say, cocking my gun. “Do Disney Villains shoot before or after the crying?”
“You can relax,” the suit and tie says with a laugh. “I didn’t come for her. She’s a waste of fucking space. I came for the thumb drive she stole from me.”
“I don’t have your stupid thumb drive.” Marin shakes her head, and though she’s trying hard, I think everyone can still tell she’s lying. It’s the way her voice lifts slightly as she talks.
“You have the fucking thing. I know you do. Give it to me.” He steps forward, which is the last mistake he’ll make.
I cock the gun, aiming it straight between his eyes.
“All I want is the thumb drive.”
“If she says she doesn’t have it, she doesn’t fuckin’ have it.”
A car door squeaks open and my chest tightens. I hadn’t figured this guy would be traveling with a group.
Fuck.
“Dad?”
Dad?
What the fuck?
Abigail?
“Dad what’s going on?” There’s a shake in my daughter’s voice I haven’t heard ever, thankfully.
I have to say, this day is a clusterfuck of fucks if there’s ever been one. I knew I should’ve never pulled out of Marin’s asshole. Since then, life has been all downhill.
“Abigail,” I bark, “go with Marin to the bedroom. Stay there. Don’t call the police. I’ve got this handled.”
This time, Marin listens, and I see her and my daughter heading down the hallway out the corner of my eye. I want to comfort them, hold them close, let them know they’re safe in my arms, but first I have to deal with this stupid fuck.
“Two ways out of this, asshole,” I snark. “One, I drag you out into the woods, dig a fuckin’ hole, and shoot you into it. Two, you leave and never come back.”
“I need the flash drive,” he presses, straightening his suit coat.
“Was the flash drive part of the options?” I step forward and smack the man on the shoulder with the butt of my gun.
“I figured you’d be smarter with that costume on, but I suppose they put fuckin’ boys in suits these days, don’t they?
” I press my gun into his shoulder harder.
“Guess I should’ve known you couldn’t take the hint based on the way you treat women. ”
“What the fuck are you talking about? She’s full of shit. Everything she claims I gave to her, she gave it right back.”
“Wow, so fucking masculine of you to hurt a girl and believe she’s just like you because she stood up for herself.
” I laugh under my breath and let the end of my gun hit him again.
“Options are no longer a thing, buddy. You’re too stupid to live, and do you know what I do with men who’re too damn stupid to live?
” I grab him by the collar of his coat and let gravity take over, dragging him toward the woods.
“Okay, okay!” He tries to fight my grip but I’m stronger. “I’ll go. Can we come to a compromise about the flash drive, though?”
I laugh and continue to drag his weak body through the tree line and toward the ridge where I keep a spare shovel for special occasions. We’re halfway to the spot I’m pretty sure I could bury him without a problem when he starts to cry.
Now, I’m not one to throw shame on a man for crying. Men cry. Hell, I cried my ass off the day my daughter moved out of the house. But this man, the man who’s been mocking my girl for her tears, this man doesn’t get to cry.
I knock him in the head with the butt of my gun, leaving a dark red mark between his eyeballs. I’m sure he’s dizzy now because his pupils cross.
“Fine,” he cries, “I don’t need the flash drive. Just let me go. I’ll leave and I won’t come back. I swear.”
“Not sure I believe you.” I toss him onto the ground and hold my boot over his chest as he stares up at me, pleading for a second chance.
“I swear. I’m sorry I came out here. I just… that drive she took, if it gets out what’s on it, I’ll never find a job again.”
“Cool. Sounds like you’ll be extra careful not to fuck around here again, or I’ll make sure whatever’s on that thing gets seen everywhere.”
I move my boot and kick him in the ass. “Get the fuck out of here… now!”
He jumps up and scurries like a rat through the woods, tripping a few times before he finally makes it into the clearing.
I’m at the patio door staring into the house when I see another problem stacked and waiting in the kitchen.
Abigail stares at me like a hen about to attack. Her head tilted forward, a hard unblinking stare.
She knows. Fuck.
“Dad,” her voice is harsh and shaky as I slide open the patio door, “what the hell is going on here?”
“I’m so sorry,” Marin says with a gulp. “She asked why I was wearing your shirt, and I stumbled over my words. I—”
“You’re sleeping with her? She’s younger than me.”
I hadn’t yet thought out the script of perfect words I’d use to explain all of this to my daughter, but I know it wasn’t, “I love her. We weren’t planning it, but… I’m happy, Abby. I’m really, really happy.”
My daughter’s jaw drops as she stares at me moving to Marin’s side in comfort. She has to be scared out of her mind after everything that’s gone down today.
“So that’s it? That’s all you’ve got?”
My chest tightens as I stare at my world, my daughter, the one woman I’ve been trying not to disappoint all my life. “Yeah. That’s all I’ve got.”
She stares down at the ground and pinches her lips together, her long blonde hair falling into her vision before glancing up again. “I don’t want you ever saying a word about anyone I bring home ever again.”
“Not possible. I love you and I’ll protect you to the ends of the Earth. I’m not going to let some jackass date my daughter under any circumstance.”
Abigail drags in a deep breath and huffs out quickly. “Dad! You’ve gotta throw me something here. This is messed up. When I told you to start dating again, I thought it was implied that you’d date women your age.”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I swallow hard and hold Marin tighter, “but now that it has, I’m not letting her go. Marin is a part of our lives now and I’m not apologizing for it.”
There’s a long pause, causing real concern that I’ve ruined my relationship with my daughter for good. She’s not talking at all until finally, she grins.
“Do you know what Marin has on that thumb drive?”
I shake my head.
“It’s a bunch of nudes her ex was trading with women in his office.” Abigail grins and glances up at Marin. “It’s pretty cool she took it from him. It sounds like she’s been through hell, like she could use a guy with a good head on his shoulders.”
My brows narrow. “So you’re not mad then?”
Abigail shakes her head and twists her hair to the side. “No. I think it’s great you met someone you like. In fact, I met a guy at the lake this weekend I’m excited for you to meet too.”
“Yeah?” I don’t like the way she’s said it. “What’s he like?”
“Kind, thoughtful, and a really talented businessman.” She’s grinning again like there’s something she’s not saying.
“Okay…what kind of business does he have?”
“Oh!” She brightens as she says, “He’s partial owner of the redneck bar on Main. He’s a little older than me, but now that you’re so understanding of age gap relationships, I figure you’ll be fine with it.”
My jaw stiffens and my teeth grind against one another as my chest tightens. “The redneck bar? Seriously?”
“No,” she grins wide, “but I got you!”
“Jesus Christ.” I exhale quickly and step toward my daughter, wrapping her up in my arms. “You’re a pain in the ass.”
“Yup, and you love me!”
“Sure do.” I kiss her forehead gently. “What are you doing back here, anyway? It’s Saturday night. Shouldn’t you still be at the lake?”
“Nah.” She pulls open the fridge door. “The lake was boring. Everyone was drinking and acting dumb. I’m just over it. You guys have dinner yet?”
Marin steps forward. “I could help. I think there’s some pancake mix up in the cupboard. We could do breakfast for dinner.”
“That’s Dad’s favorite. I guess we could treat him tonight,” Abigail shoots me a grin, “even if he is a total weirdo.”
“That’s fair,” I say, kissing Marin on the head before she heads into the kitchen with Abigail to make dinner.
I can’t say what’s happening right now. The whole moment feels surreal, like I’ve gotten away with the perfect crime. Maybe I have.
I have the girl I love, I’m surrounded by family, and for once I’m not apologizing for any of it.