Chapter 11 #2
This is it … the moment I’ve been praying for.
The moment Harlan will succeed in taking my life.
I knew it would come soon enough. I’ve dreamed about it.
He squeezes my throat tighter and slams my body forcefully against the brick as he barks obscenities at me, squeezing the life from my body.
My eyes slowly meet his, the menacing glare in his black, soulless eyes growing lustful for my ragged breaths.
A sparkle stars that flitter in my vision, and I succumb to the darkness as my eyes fall closed again.
All my senses are void—no sound can be heard; no scent can be smelled.
I’m numb to Harlan’s grasp. I find peace in my final moments, thinking of Haven and Ezekiel.
Suddenly, I’m falling, the earth shifting beneath me—the blackness of oblivion welcoming me to a peaceful death. My body crashes hard and unforgiving against sharp, gritty gravel. Shouting interrupts my hazy solitude, and my eyes slowly drift open in search of the voices.
Harlan takes a cheap shot at Luke, but Luke sidesteps him and clutches his hands in Harlan’s hair, slamming his fist against Harlan’s face.
This can’t be real. I shake my head to clear it just as Harlan falls to his knees, spitting blood against the gravel.
Luke bends at his waist and drags Harlan up to his feet, clutching his grip around Harlan’s throat.
“You wanna put your hands on someone, you worthless bastard; you bring that shit to my doorstep, and we can take it toe to toe. So help me, God. If I ever see another damn bruise on her, a busted face will be the least of your worries.” Luke releases Harlan then turns his attention to me.
Lifting me from the ground, he calls over his shoulder, “I damn well mean it, Harlan Daughtry. Stay the hell away from my family.”
“You’ve taken enough from me, kitten,” Harlan shouts, extending his arms out wide.
Burying my head in Luke’s chest, I choke on a sob as I cling to my only safety net.
“You’re fuckin’ mine, Justice Faith, and that boy’s mine too.
You can hide behind Luke fuckin’ Ashton for now, but you’ll have to answer for your sins soon enough. ”
Ignoring Harlan’s fit, Luke scoops me up and carries me inside the diner, locking the back exit behind him. He sets me in the chair across from his desk then shouts through the hallway, “Tabby, get me a bag of ice.” He picks up the office phone and dials quickly.
I shoot up from the chair and slam my hand down on the receiver.
“What the ever-lovin’ hell you doin’, girl?”
Shaking my head, I mutter, “You can’t, Luke. Just let it be.”
Luke slams the phone down and walks around his desk, meeting Tabby at the door.
“Here ya go, boss.” She casts a glance at me, her eyes widening in horror. “What the hell has that sorry bastard gone and done now!” Tabby steps toward me, but Luke holds up his hand to stop her.
“Just give her some space, Tabby. Finish closing up for her, please.” With a hesitant nod, she turns down the hall and back to the dining area.
Luke kneels beside me and presses the bag of ice gently against my throat.
“Remember when we were little, sissy? We’d spend our summer nights down by the creek catchin’ minners and tadpoles.
We didn’t have any fishin’ poles or a trap, so we made our own trap outta old two-liter bottles.
I remember when your momma beat your ass for walkin’ barefoot through the creek and slicin’ your foot open.
” He chuckles to himself, and the sound makes me smile.
It’s been an age since I’ve seen Luke smile, and my heart hurts remembering all the hell he’s been through.
“When it rained, we’d stomp through mud puddles—hell even as teenagers. You’d twirl and sing to the heavens. You remember any of that, sissy?”
“There’s not much about this life I wanna remember, Luke.” It’s an honest statement that cuts me to the core. He tips his head in agreement, pained by the memories I’m sure that haunt him endlessly.
“You need to remember, Justice. You were so carefree and happy. Don’t let that bastard take that part of you. You’re stronger than this. I know because I’m the one who taught you how to be so damn strong.”
His words ring true. Luke has always protected me.
I’ve looked up to him since I was knee high to a duck’s tail, always wanting to be right by his side.
His dad, a drunken bastard, is my momma’s brother.
Momma and Danny weren’t too close; his drinking put a rift in their relationship just as it did with Luke’s momma.
Being an only child, Luke took me and Haven under his wings like we were his little sisters rather than cousins.
There isn’t a memory from my childhood that Luke doesn’t star in.
He always walked me and Haven to the bus stop each morning, and our evenings were always spent runnin’ up and down Miller’s Branch or playin’ in the woods or the creek.
“I know, bub,” I whisper, hanging my head in defeat. It’s the only response I can offer really, not having much left to say.
“Come on, I’m gonna take you home. You’re pushing yourself too hard, Justice.
You can’t be putting yourself through stress like this.
” He stands and extends his hand for me to take.
“You have a baby to consider now. Take tomorrow off and rest.” I open my mouth to argue, but Luke puts his hand up palm out and stops me with a quick, “Don’t.
If money is the issue, I’ll cover it, but I best not see your ass in this diner for a few days. ”
With his final command spoken, Luke ushers me out of his office and out the back door to his truck. I know deep down in my heart that Luke would move mountains to ensure my safety, but my battles are my own to fight.