“Maybe they’re dead,” he snickered.

“Don’t say that!” I shouted and balled up my free fist. He watched my fists clench tighter with mocking eyes. 

“I bet they’re dead,” he taunted further.

“No,” I moaned.

“Or they left you behind…” My shirt was now stained with my tears as they released from me uncontrollably. “Jeez, you’re just like her,” he said with an annoyed tone. He frowned his face and kicked my hand away with his foot in disgust.

“Who am I like?”

He ignored my question and his frown deepened making him looking meaner. “I’m going to do it one day, you know, he prompted in a hateful tone.

“Do what?” I asked shakily. His fists balled as he stared down at me with angry eyes. I suddenly got the feeling that I needed to get away so I started to back away from him. I scooted across the floor while he followed after me.

“I’m going to kill you. Just like I killed her. It's the only way.”

* * *

Over the years Keiran would remind me of his promise. He’d unleash his subtle threats on me to scare me and it always worked. Keiran could always get inside my head with little effort. Willow called it a mind fuck. I called it torture.

I turned into my driveway on autopilot. My mind still could not define what had just occurred at the pharmacy.

He touched me.

I foolishly hoped for the past year that he would move on…or not come back at all. My heart lurched at the thought of never seeing him again even when I knew it wasn’t possible. He still had to finish the senior year that he also thinks I stole from him.

I was sick and disgusted with myself for feeling the way I do for someone who hates me almost violently. I was too afraid to ask at the time what he was planning to do but I didn’t need to.  Keiran was dangerous enough, but when provoked…

I shook off the thought and briefly considered telling my aunt about Keiran. I wasn't sure I could handle him like this, but I didn't know how far his hatred ran so I couldn't involve her.

I felt well and truly isolated.

I entered the house and called out for my aunt. She gave a hollow answer in return and I knew what time it was. I found her in the living room watching re-runs of Sons of Anarchy. I think she had a thing for Charlie Hunnam.

She and Willow did some serious drooling whenever he came on the screen. I had to admit his rugged swagger was sexy. He reminded me of someone dark-haired, ruthless, and hotter.

I flopped down on the sofa next to her and looked at the clock. It was just after noon on a Saturday afternoon and I had nothing exciting planned. Willow had left the week before for an eight-week summer college program. My girl was focused; quirkiness and all.

“Lake, you know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?” she asked without taking her eyes off the screen.

I knew this was coming. “Yes, I know Aunt Carissa.” We still haven’t discussed what happened at school. I was glad she wasn’t looking at me. If I met her eyes, all the pain and heartache from the last ten years would come pouring out.

“Do you want to talk about him?” I whipped my head around to face her unable to hide my reaction.

“Him?” I asked in a shaky voice.

“Keiran Masters. The counselor from school mentioned him.” The look she gave me let me know that she didn't buy my story about heat exhaustion but I couldn't tell her the truth either. My aunt wasn’t ready to hear about what Keiran had done to me over the years. It was still a hard pill to swallow each time I would remember. “Lake, I trust you,” she continued when I didn't answer and the silence grew thick with tension, “I just wish you could trust me.”

She got up and walked away and I immediately felt like crap. She thought I didn’t trust her, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I didn't want this. I didn't want to hurt her but I had to protect her.

Who will protect me?

Chapter Three

Summer passed without any more run-ins with Keiran. Six Forks was a good size town, but I must admit part of the reason was because I hid out in my house for the past two months. Willow was wrong. I could hide, so I did. But now it was the first day of school and I couldn’t hide anymore.

Senior year, I thought jubilantly. Senior year meant the last step, making me closer to moving on and escaping the fear I lived in every single day. He didn't come looking for me and I assumed that once again it was a tactic to scare me. After all…he’s promised to kill me for ten years now.

My phone beeped signaling that I had a text message. I checked my phone seeing that it was Willow.

Don't come outside!

I stared down at my phone, puzzled. Willow being weird was normal, but why wouldn't she want me to come outside? I walked over to the window to see what the reason was and nearly fainted when I looked out the window. The way my heart was pounding caused me to drop my phone. I did not expect what I saw below.

He was leaning against his blacked out muscle car and looking very much like the typical bad boy in black cargo pants and a dark grey, short-sleeved button up that probably matched his eyes.

How did he know where I lived?

I’m sure it wouldn't be hard to find where I lived but why would he come here? This was too close to home. No pun intended. Willow was standing by her car as well, eyeing Keiran warily. My gaze was fixed on him, debating what I should do, when suddenly he turned his head and looked straight up at me through my bedroom window. I jumped back immediately and tried to calm my racing heart and the somersaults my stomach performed.

I weighed all my options, hiding being the most desirable possibility, but I knew I couldn't leave Willow out there alone with him. He never terrorized her or anyone else but me, but what would he do if I didn't come out? I knew he wouldn't just go away. It was obvious that he came here for something. I made a decision and grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs. He made me a prisoner in my home the entire summer, but I couldn’t hide out here any longer and he knew that.

I reached the door and stepped outside, feeling as if I was on death row and this was my final walk. I reluctantly walked over to him, but only close enough to talk to him without Willow overhearing. As I drew closer, I admitted that there was something dangerously irresistible about him. It drew me in even when I wanted to run away. If only I could figure out why…

“Why are you here?” I asked before I lost my nerve.

His eyes lazily traveled over me in a way that made me feel both insignificant and naked. I was wearing white jeans and a dark red top that hugged my torso and flowed at my waist. The top made me feel feminine and sexy. I knew I was making a statement when I put it on. I just wasn't sure what I was trying to say.

He used both hands to push off his car, the momentum bringing his chest to mine all too quickly. I sucked in a breath and felt my body shudder just as it did in the pharmacy when he first touched me.

“Lose the girl,” he said loud enough for Willow to hear. It took a moment for me to realize what he said, because my mind and body had both shut down in submission.

“But she’s my ride to school,” I answered.

“Get rid of her,” he repeated. The look on his face warned me not to argue.

I reluctantly turned to Willow, who was openly glaring at Keiran. I never told her about the incident at the pharmacy. She’d only been back for a week now and it was an unspoken agreement between us that Keiran was a taboo subject. Not only that, but Willow seemed different since she’s been back. She was still my Willow, but I knew something happened over the summer.  I was fond of looking into people’s eyes. They told more than the lips ever could – they told the truth. Willow’s eyes had changed. They held something that I didn’t recognize, but they also held something I did recognize—pain.