“He wanted it to look like I’d disobeyed his orders. Like I crossed him for the last time.”
“But you said there was no out in my dad’s line of work. Why would any of his staff believe he just got you beat up and then fired you?”
“Because he beat me until it looked like I was dead. You’re not the only one who just disappeared, kid.”
I sat up in bed.No.“But what about your family? You took this job in part to pay off your dad’s debts. Isn’t your dad going to…”
“Going to what? If my father cared about me at all he never would have let me take this job. I don’t have anyone in my corner. It’s just me. It’s been just me for a long time.”
“I’m in your corner.”
He didn’t respond.
I reached out and gently touched the side of his cheek. It felt swollen. And it felt like there were stitches on his jawline. My dad said that Miller was one of the only people that knew I was actually alive. “Why did my dad ask you to disappear with me?”
“Because he knew I’d be willing to do it.”
Willing to get beat up within an inch of his life? Willing to pretend to be dead? Willing to give up his whole life in New York? There was only one reason my dad would think someone was willing to do all that. I let my hand fall from his face. My dad had told me to stop sneaking down to the lower floor. He’d had cameras watching me all the time. But he made it seem like he didn’t know I was sneaking down to see Miller. Why had he pretended not to know?
I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. My dad said he’d been planning my fake death for a while. He must have known he’d need to send at least one bodyguard with me. Why not the one closest to my heart? “How did my dad know that you’d be willing to come with me?”
“It’s late. You should probably get some sleep.”
“Miller.” I grabbed his hand.
He sighed. “You really don’t want to know the specifics. But he knew you were sneaking down to my room at night. He knew there was something going on between us. He must have known the whole time. I think he enjoyed beating the shit out of me for touching something that belonged to him. His words. Not mine.”
I put my hand over my mouth. Miller never pursued me. I was the one who kept showing up at his door. He’d tried to tell me to stay away. But I…couldn’t. He’d been my salvation when I lived with the Pruitts. He’d given me hope that my new life wouldn’t be awful. He’d helped me hold on.
And he’d never touched me inappropriately. He was always a complete gentleman. It was only ever stolen kisses between us when we thought no one was looking. If my dad wanted to beat someone up for touching me, he was beating up the wrong guy. Matt was the only boy that had ever touched me. I’d given him everything.
I didn’t even know what to say. I just shook my head. “I’m so sorry, Miller.” It felt like my heart was breaking all over again. “We need to get out of here as soon as possible. I was thinking that if we…”
“I can’t run away, Brooklyn. Your father made it very clear that he had a three-strike policy. I already have two. Because even though your dad was grateful that I said I’d come with you, he took it as a confession for what was going on between us. The beating me up wasn’t just for show to the rest of the staff. That was my second strike.”
“What happens if you get a third?” I knew the answer. But I still felt compelled to ask. I needed to hear him say it. I needed to remember just how dangerous my dad was.
Miller didn’t respond though.
I slid my hand into his and squeezed it. “Please just say it. I know my dad’s a horrible man.”
“I’m lucky to even be alive right now after what happened at homecoming. Your father doesn’t usually give out any strikes. It’s either you do it the right way or you end up six feet under. Which is where I’ll be if I don’t follow his orders one more time.”
“And what are his orders?” I was pretty sure I knew the answer to that already too.
“To protect you.”
I wished I could see his face in the darkness. “And that’s it?”
He slid his hand out of mine. “And to not lay a finger on you.”
Oh.I swallowed hard. “You already broke that last one.”
“Which is why I should probably go.” He stood up but I didn’t hear him walking toward the door.
I wanted to ask him to stay. But I couldn’t. This wasn’t a game. This was life or death. “I wish my dad left off that last part.”
“Me too.”
