So much is going through my mind when I pull into my driveway, I don’t even notice the man standing on my front porch until I approach. My stomach drops and my heart starts to race as I get closer. The look on his face tells me this isn’t a friendly visit.
“Can I help you?” I ask as I walk up my front steps. My gut is telling me to walk the other way, but I know Chase isn’t far behind.
“Depends. Are you Angel Cavanagh?” he asks.
“Yes I am. What’s this about?” In my heart I know it’s about Riley. I can already feel the panic starting to rise within. I just want this whole mess to be over.
Why won’t these people just leave me alone?
“I want to know what happened to my son, and I want to know who is responsible?” Oh crap. He’s Riley’s father. That makes me almost have a full on panic attack. I don’t want this man, or anyone related to Riley Benson, anywhere near me. For Chase’s sake though I try my best to keep it together. If I lose it now, he’s going to know there’s more to my story.
“As I told the two officers who came here the other day, I don’t know anything,” I lie, trying my best to act calm.
“I don’t believe you,” he snaps. I don’t like the cold, murderous look in his eyes as he takes a step towards me. Although they look nothing alike, their eyes are exactly the same. Images of Riley and the way he was looking at me during the attack overtake me.
Jesus, I think I’m going to pass out.
“Well it’s the truth,” I state, trying not to let him intimidate me, but God he is. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s nothing more I can tell you.” After fishing my keys out of my bag, I try to move past him. I need to get away from him before I completely break down.
“I don’t think so, bitch,” he says as he grabs hold of my arm. “I’m not letting you go anywhere until I get some fucking answers.” I feel my knees buckle from underneath me as he yanks me backwards. Now I see exactly where Riley gets his charm from. I can’t believe these Benson men think it’s acceptable to manhandle women like this.
“Let me go. You’re hurting me,” I cry as I try to free my arm from his death grip.
“Not until you tell me who fucking did this to my son,” he screams in my face. “I know you and that scum Daniels are involved in this. Now fucking tell me the truth,” he demands, grasping my shoulders and shaking me violently.
I cry out as pain shoots up my arms. “Please, there’s nothing more I can tell you,” I whimper. Riley’s dad lets go of me with a shove, making me fall to the ground in a heap.
“You haven’t heard the last of me. The truth will come out when my son wakes. Then you’re really going to pay. You both will,” he spits through a clenched jaw. I’m relieved when I hear him walk away, but I can’t move from where I’ve fallen. I just lay there and sob my heart out. What I really need to do is to get inside the house where I’ll feel safe, but I can’t move.
••••
Chase
My talk with Dana went better than I expected. At first she gave me a lot of attitude, but once I explained to her what was going on, she was pretty good. She was horrified when I told her what Riley had done. I thought from Angel’s puffy eyes the other night, she’d confided in her friend. Apparently she’d told her something had happened, but no specifics. I hope I haven’t overstepped the mark by telling her the whole story. What I saw of the attack anyway.
“Please don’t tell her I told you. I honestly thought you knew everything. I’m just worried about her. I was hoping you could have a talk to her. Get her to open up. Maybe if we work together we can help her get through this.”
“It almost sounds like you care about her,” she snipes sarcastically.
“I do. I care about her a lot.”
“Why did you fuck her and then ignore her for months?”
“It’s a long story. You wouldn’t understand,” I reply honestly.
“Try me.”
“She’s too good for me,” I admit with a shrug. I hate to say it, but it’s the truth.
“Oh you’ve got that right, lover boy. She is. But it still didn’t give you the right to treat her like a dog. You really hurt her. Someone as sweet as her doesn’t deserve what you did to her.”
“I know,” I say as I cast my eyes down at the table, guilt consuming me. I still feel like an arse.
“I don’t know what you’re packing in your pants, Mr. Casanova, but try and keep it in there this time. After everything she’s been through, that’s the last thing she needs. If you hurt her again, I’ll be adding a little rat poison to your next fucking coffee.” Her eyes narrow as she says it and I can’t help but laugh. I know it’s a threat, and she probably means every word, but damn she cracks me up. I love her spunk.