Whats your name? the dispatcher questioned. Her tone was so insanely calm, it scared Emily. Staring at Dillon, Emily swallowed, her words stuck in her throat. She didnt answer. Miss? Are you still there? I need your name.

With each uneven breath Emily took, and memories warning her mind, Dillons whispered threats pulsated through her thoughts. Youll force me to hurt you both.

Both

Her natural instinct to run turned into something else. Sliding her phone closed, Emily waded through her dread of him being there as her fear bubbled into anger. She had pure, honest, and good now with Gavin, and she understood the evil in Dillon more so. She had happiness beyond comprehension and loathed the misery shed once allowed. She had pleasure and no longer endured pain. Though she felt as if she couldnt breathe and a clamor of nerves danced in her gut, the desire to no longer remain his prisoner, or allow him to hurt Gavin, overtook her. She stepped forward, her shaky legs leading her straight in Dillons direction.

Standing just beyond the chain-link fence surrounding the school, Dillon cocked his head to the side. He sent her a sharks smile, all teeth. Ill repeat it for you, so maybe youll understand this time. Im not on the property. Im on the sidewalk. I may not have measuring tape with me, but Im good at math. Im still more than a hundred feet away.

The cops are coming, Dillon. She meant the words to sound strong, but somehow Emily sensed he knew they werent.

I loved you, and you actually made me hate you, he growled, his eyes liquid poison. How could you do this to me? I took care of you and you fucking embarrass me the way you did?

You think you took care of me? Shocked, Emily stared at him, her tone sharpening. You know what? I take that back. For a while, you had me convinced you were taking care of me, but you had me fooled. You knew what I went through as a child. What I saw. You promised youd never turn into those men, and you did. I just didnt realize it when it started happening. You used my mothers death against me. You knew I was vulnerable, and you ate it up. Thats not love. Thats sick and twisted. And just a bit of information for you, Dillon. Loves not being embarrassed at what happened. Loves being heartbroken over the way things ended between us.

You dont think Im fucking hurt? He went to step forward but stopped.

No, Emily answered. I dont think youre hurt. I think your egos bruised. You never loved me. Never.

Fists balled at his sides, he clenched his teeth. I did love you, but you fucked my friend! Emily felt that all too familiar fear creeping back in. She fought against it as she continued to stare at the man whod meant everything to her before he tore them apart. And just a bit of information for you, I didnt use your mothers death against you. You fell the fuck apart, and I didnt know how to deal with it. I did the best I could.

Did you think I wasnt going to fall apart? Emily choked back a sob. She was my mother, Dillon! My mother!

Dillon shrugged, a wicked chuckle flying past his lips. Your relationship with her was strained. Give me a break.

Emily eyes went wide, her pulse thudding wildly. What does that have to do with anything? Strained or not, she was all I knew. Emily paused, unable to believe the monster hed hidden beneath a camouflage of good for so long. Youre a fake. A chameleon. Where, in that shallow heart of yours, did you even conjure up the ability to do what you did for her before she died? Tell me. Because I cant begin to even understand it.

Neither can I. Another shrug as his darkened eyes stared into hers. As fucked up as she was, she didnt deserve my help. No wonder you gave up on her right before she died. Even you knew the mess she was. You couldnt even help her. Or should I saydidnt want to help her.

Even though she knew he was continuing his rampage to hurt her, Emilys world stopped, anger coiling deep in her veins. Go to hell, she hissed. Youre cut from your mothers evil flesh. Its obvious you enjoyed being in jail because youre about to go back. This time, itll be longer than a few days. I only wish they could drag her with you for giving birth to such an asshole.

Fuck off, whore, he growled. Im not going to jail. I know my rights and my limits. He leisurely rocked back on his heels. Again, Im on the sidewalk, and theres not a fucking thing you can do about it, Emily. Not one fucking thing. He looked down the block at a group of teenagers crossing the street and brought his eyes back to hers, the malice in them pinning her like a target. That is unless you want to call Gavin and tell him Im here. Pausing, he shook his head and laughed. Now, that would be some fun. Ill go back to jailand enjoy every single secondknowing you had to watch me beat his ass to a fucking pulp right here on this very sidewalk. Thatd be worth a few nights of my freedom.

As though hed turned on a switch in her head, something inside her shifted, something words couldnt describe. She clenched her canvas bag, her fingers digging into her palm. She made her voice sound unaffected though she felt anything but. Thats right, Dillon, idle threats. Something youve always been good at. She cocked a brow, feigning disinterest. You barely draw blood. I, out of anyone, would know that. Right? She lifted her hand, rubbing the spot on her lip where hed hit her. Just so you know, it barely stung. My first graders can throw a better punch.