Pretty Little Things

Chapter 24 - Annabel

“Shh,” Colin whispered, and my eyes fluttered open as he lifted me into his arms. We began moving toward the stairs, and I placed my face against his warm chest, his heart thudding rhythmically beneath my touch, and I let my eyes fall closed again.

The police were questioning him, but he stared down at me, unable to speak, and his silence spoke volumes. He slowly lowered me to the floor, and an officer began untying my wrists and ankles while he cradled my head from the hard floor, my clothes spattered with his father’s blood. I glanced over at the red cuts like rings around his wrists from the restraints he had worn moments ago.

“I want to hear her say you weren’t a part of this.” Jacob was seething, and I couldn’t blame him. I knew how this must have looked. Colin swallowed hard, his eyes swimming, and I knew he was blaming himself. I shouldn’t have lied to him about coming to see him, and I should have made sure he knew I wasn’t upset at him. Had Taylor succeeded in killing me, Jacob would have carried that guilt for the rest of his life. The secrets had to end.

“It wasn’t him, Jacob. He saved me. Twice.” As my hands were freed, I looped them around Colin’s neck, clinging to him as if he was as vital as the air in my lungs.

“The rumors.” He took a step back, dumbfounded.

“We’re not related,” Colin spoke up, but his eyes never left mine.

“That explains why you didn’t bat an eye about Nat.”

“Jacob…” My voice trailed off, unable to stop my mind from racing.

“Jacob, that’s enough. We need to take their statement.” His father put a hand on his shoulder, and Jacob nodded, confusion marring his face.

I didn’t even remember the trip to the police station. Jacob came with his father and even though I knew he didn’t understand, he refused to leave until he was certain I was going to be alright. Everyone was treating me as if I was going to crack under their stares, but I was numb and it felt incredible to not feel.

I recounted the story of my short-lived time at the commune as everyone watched me, wide-eyed and mouths agape. I refused to let go of Colin, and even Jacob sat on my other side and held my hand.

Everyone had heard about Taylor on the news when his commune was raided, but it was big news to have it brought to their doorstep.

Colin opted to tell his story behind closed doors, and I reluctantly pried my fingers from his, immediately feeling empty from his lack of touch.

Jacob squeezed my hand painfully tight and it felt like my bones might snap, but I welcomed feeling anything, even if it was pain.

“I should have known something was wrong,” Jacob said to no one in particular.

“How could you have known, Jake? I didn’t tell anyone.” I shook my head. “None of this is your fault.”

“It’s not yours either.” His eyes met mine.

“I know.”

“Do you?”

I didn’t respond, and he pulled me against his chest and hugged me tightly.

“If he would have hurt you…” He whispered into my hair, and I smiled fractionally. It was nice to know that even with all of our secrets being revealed, Jacob wasn’t going anywhere. He was willing to accept me for who I was, even if it meant we would never be together. I pulled back and wiped a tear from my eye.

“So, this Nat girl?” I raised my eyebrow, and he laughed as he shook his head.

“She’s not you.” His smile fell, and there was a pregnant pause as we looked at each other.

“She nice to you?”

“Yeah. Nicer than I deserve.”

“You’re a good person, Jake. You just need to see it for yourself.”

“She’s,” he laughed, “constantly ragging on me for smoking.”

“Good.” I nodded as I grabbed his hand again and laid my head on his shoulder. “I’d like to meet her sometime.”

The sound of a throat clearing caused me to jump. I gazed up at Connor’s smiling face. “Can I have a minute alone with my daughter?”

My heart leapt in my throat at him calling me his daughter. He was a great man and there were no words for what he meant to me, but this was the first time he had called me daughter without it protecting a lie.

“You know they all know now,” I said as I pushed to my feet.

“That doesn’t mean we aren’t family anymore, Annabel. It’s just changed a little.” I stepped into his arms, and he hugged me tightly. Another set of arms wrapped around me from behind and I knew from the smell of baby powder it was Grace.

“Sweet girl.” She cried as they cocooned me in their love. Connor pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and as they released me, his hand curled around hers.

“I’m good at keeping secrets, Annie, but come on.”

I bit back a laugh as they looked at each other with affection. “How long has this been going on?” I asked.

“It’s been a crazy week for all of us,” Connor laughed, and it turned into a cough. Grace placed her hand on his chest as she overworried about his health.

We spent hours with the police and Connor by our side, retelling the horror story that was Colin’s life, omitting some of the more horrific details.

When all was said and done, we were allowed to go back to Connor’s so I could shower and sleep. I scrubbed my skin with nearly scalding hot water for what felt like an hour to rid my flesh of any trace of blood. Colin leaned against the sink, not wanting to leave me out of his sight, and I was grateful. He respected my modesty and kept his gaze downcast. I dried off and pulled on jeans and a tank top so I could go down to the kitchen and eat a salad. He took the seat next to me at the large table but did not eat a bite, his hand resting on my thigh as if to make sure I was really there.

The entire situation had exhausted me, and I felt like I could slip into a coma. Colin lifted me into his arms, cradling me as we made the trek back to my room.

He laid me down on my bed, and I rolled to my side as he pulled the comforter over my body.

“Sweet dreams.”

“Wait,” I called after him, and he stopped in the doorway, turning back to me slowly. “Please don’t go.”

“I wasn’t going anywhere.” He pushed the door closed and took a seat in the leather wingback chair next to the door.

Later I awoke, covered in a thin sheen of sweat as I gasped for breath. I sat up and threw my covers off my legs.

“You all right?” Colin leaned forward out of the shadows.

“Did I wake you?” I asked, pushing my hair from my face as I struggled to slow my heart rate, terrified that he somehow knew what was playing in my mind.

“You were having a nightmare. I was worried.”

“It wasn’t about…Taylor.” I looked over at him as confusion marred his chiseled face. He stood slowly and walked toward my bed.

“What was it about?” he asked as he sat down on the end of my bed, never breaking eye contact. I watched the column of his throat move as he swallowed hard, the realization that I remembered something from our past dawning on him. “Annie…” His voice trailed off as he reached out and ran the pad of his finger along the length of my eyebrow. “Tell me.”

I looked down at my lap as I wove my fingers together. “That night…in bed.” The images that plagued my mind were too embarrassing to speak out loud.

Colin expelled a heavy breath as he rested his head in his hands. “Jesus Christ, Annie.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” He shook his head as he looked over at me in shock. “It wasn’t your fault. You’re the only person…” His breathing was heavy, and he sounded like he was on the verge of a panic attack. “I’ll never forgive myself.” His voice rose with each word.

“I’m sorry.” But I wasn’t feeling scared; the familiar warmth in that memory had settled over me. I felt safe.

He looked terrified. “I can’t lose you.” He shook his head.

I pushed forward and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face against his chest. “You won’t. I promise.” I squeezed him tightly. His body froze for a moment before he slowly lifted his arms and wrapped them around me, his palms sliding across my spine.

“I don’t know what I would do if I lost you,” he whispered into my hair before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

Pulling my cheek from his chest, I slowly looked up at him. He lowered his face toward mine but hesitated, his sweet breath whispering across my lips. I stretched toward him and pressed my mouth softly against his, nodding to let him know that I wasn’t going to change my mind. Slowly, I climbed onto his lap, straddling his waist.

“Aghh,” I panted as his length pressed against me. He pulled down on my body, adding more pressure between my legs.

“There’s no one to interrupt us this time. You need to tell me no now if you don’t want to do this.” His voice was thick and gravelly. I rolled my hips as his hand went into my hair and fisted. “Not like this.” His arms tightened as he moved me farther up the bed, lying down on top of me. The length of his hardness pressing against me set my body on fire. His mouth was on mine again, kissing me with a forcefulness I had never experienced. My lips felt swollen and tender against his as his fingers trailed up my side, pushing my tank top up and leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake. His thumb rolled over my nipple, causing it to harden, and I pushed my chest into his touch as he rocked against me.

My fingers gripped his muscular shoulders, my nails pressing into his flesh. “I want this. I want you.” I moaned as he lifted his weight slightly to pull my shirt up farther, so our naked flesh touched.

“Patience, little one. I want to take my time with you.” He trailed kisses along my jaw to the sensitive spot just below my ear. “I want to taste every inch of you.” The tip of his tongue ran over the shell of my ear as he whispered, “You’re such a pretty little thing.”

“Don’t…don’t say that,” I panted, pushing against his shoulders.

His lifted his head and looked me in the eye, his face somber. “You remember a lot more than you let on.”