“We?”
His jaw ticks in silence. There’s an apology in his eyes.
My eyes swing around the room, scanning over Carly, Lincoln, and Aiden, each wearing a similarly guilty expression.
“Youallknew about this?”
Carly swallows hard. “Honey, you have so much on your plate, right now. We didn’t want to add one more thing.”
“I’m not some fragile flower that needs to be protected!” My voice cracks. “I’ve been protecting myself from my family since long before you all decided to butt in.”
“That’s the thing, Felicity.” Linc’s face contorts into a glower. “You shouldn’t have toprotect yourselffrom your own family.”
“That’s a nice sentiment, Lincoln, but I don’t have any other choice.” I run my hands through my hair, worry overtaking me. “God, if she’s here, if she’s been following the tour, that meanshe’snot far behind.” My eyes fill with tears as my heart rate kicks up a notch. “He always finds me. Even before my life became a media circus, I knew no matter how far I ran, he’d be there. One step behind. Dragging me back into hell.”
The room is so silent, no one seems to be breathing as they watch me tread back and forth across the room, my sundress swinging around my thighs with the force of each stride.
Carly’s voice is barely audible. “Maybe we can get them into rehab—”
“My parents have been to rehab five times. Twice by family request, and three more after court orders.” My laugh is dark. “Never seems to stick.”
“But—”
“Carly! Stop. Please, just… stop trying to fix this.” I squeeze my lashes shut. “There’s no fixing this. No Hollywood ending in the cards here.Fade in on our heroine, reconciling in a touching moment with her parents — freshly sober, endlessly apologetic for making her life a living hell.” My head shakes. “No. I’m sorry, but that’s never going to happen. My father… he’s not just an addict. He’s violent. Especially if money gets tight and he’s in need of a fix.”
“Felicity…” Ryder takes a step toward me, but I backpedal away.
If he touches me right now, I’ll fall apart completely.
“It’s only a matter of time. Notifbutwhen.” My pulse races as I resume pacing. “And if it was just about the money, I’d pay him. But he’ll just keep coming back for more, over and over again. Until there’s nothing left to give. Until he’s either drained me dry… or killed me.”
Two large hands hit my shoulders, forcing me to a stop. Ryder’s face drops down to look into my eyes.
“Felicity.”
I blink up at him, a tear rolling down my cheek. My voice trembles. “What?”
“He may find you. He may track you down. But he’llneverget close enough to touch you, baby. Because I’ll be there, standing between you.”
Another tear escapes.
“And so will I.” Carly’s declaration is filled with ferocity as she slides both arms around my waist from behind in a tight hug.
“Count on it,” Aiden says, his big hand settling on my arm as he steps to my left side.
“You know I’ve got your back, babe,” Linc adds, his fingers curling around my right bicep as he closes in.
More tears slip down my cheeks as I stand there — Ryder in front of me, Carly at my back, the boys on either side. A circle of protection.
“We can be your family, baby.” Ryder’s lips hit my forehead. “You just have to let us.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
ryder
I stepout of the shower, immediately scanning the room for Felicity. Her suitcase is open on the bed, a colorful array of sundresses spilling out in an explosion of gossamer fabric, but there’s no sign of her. She’s likely in Carly’s room next door, doing whatever the hell it is girls do that requires three hours of preparation before a date.
A date.