He buries his face in my neck, and I feel the wetness from his tears soak my skin.
“I don’t know.”
“You have to know…”
“I was drunk, but I swear I saw it, felt it, but the more I think about it, I could be hallucinating.”
“What do you mean?”
I shift him closer, his legs now straddling my lap.
“My stepdad…he was standing over my bed. He tried to strangle me…I fought back…”
“Colton.” It’s a gasp, fear welling up within me.
“I know. It sounds insane. Just like thinking they killed my dad, but I swear I saw it. I felt it.”
He leans back and pulls his shirt down slightly, exposing his neck. I stare at it.
“There’s nothing there. There would be if he really tried, right? Maybe I’m making it all up.”
I touch his neck gently, letting my hand thread up through his hair, massaging his scalp.
“Not having marks on your neck doesn’t mean you’re making it up. Maybe he wants you gone so he can have full control of the company…”
Colton’s eyes widen. “How do you know that? I didn’t tell you about my involvement with the company.”
My eyes close, and I feel my cheeks grow hot. “Shit. I’m sorry. I let it slip to Maya. She did a little investigative work. I did tell her not to tell me too much?—”
He cocks his head, and I realize that I’m unable to read him. “What did she tell you?”
I roll my lips between my teeth. “How you own fifty-one percent of the company.”
“Yeah. The ownership trust my dad left me. The shares in it just kicked in this year. I think that’s why Erick wants me out of the picture now.” His lip quivers, and he shakes his head. “Fuck. Sorry. I know I sound paranoid. I’m just so fucking tired. I haven’t slept. I thought I was going to die.”
My thumb brushes his cheek, and he leans into me, seeking comfort.
“You’re here. You’re safe.”
“Tell me what else she told you.”
“Your middle name. It’s fitting.”
“It was my dad’s name.”
“Yeah.”
His body trembles, and he murmurs. “I hate them. I hate them all. They’re making me feel like I’m losing my mind.”
“You’re not losing your mind. I don’t want you going back there without me.”
His eyes meet mine, and his eyes well with tears once more.
“You’re not ending this?”
I hold him tightly. “Does it feel like I am?”
He shudders and shifts even closer, holding onto me tightly.
