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“Stop.” Gripping my face tighter, he forces it up, so my only option is to look right at him. The security of his stare makes as much of a point as his demand. “What did I tell you about being sorry? You don’t ever apologize for men like them.”

“But—”

“No. There’s no excuse, no reason, no possible justification for you to ever apologize. I’m the sorry one for bringing you into a situation like this. Baby, if I would’ve known…” He stops himself, head tilting to the buzzing lights above, stopping tears from trickling down his own cheek. “Let me get you out of here. If I have them pull around the car, can you wait for me until I’m finished?” he asks, pulling himself together with a sniffle.

Bobbing my head, I revel in the fact that he’s not making me go out there, but I’m equally pained that I can’t be beside him when he needs me.

My pain, yet again, holding me back from life—love.

As he hands me his keys, he wraps my palm around them, not letting go of me until he’s sure I know his instruction.

“You get in the car, lock the door, and I’ll be out in fifteen, okay?”

His voice grows louder with pain and grit, almost an octave away from yelling.

“Jett, what are you going to do?”

His eyes darken like a predator.

“I’m going to handle it.”

I can’t see my feet in front of me as I walk to the car. The tears have stopped flowing, but the blur remains. Slamming the door of Jett’s G-wagon, I slouch into the seat, making sure no one around can see me crumbling.

With shaky fingers, I dig my phone from my jeans pocket, rushing until I find the contact I’m searching for.

It takes two rings, and the pair of voices beam of sunshine on the other end.

“Fia, honey, your mother and I heard your show was amazing. We’re so sorry we couldn’t get a flight out, but⁠—”

Silent tears begin flowing back down my cheeks, hard and steady. My breath is ragged, my end of the speaker catching the occasional echo.

“Honey…” Dad’s concerned voice is like a warm blanket.

I admire my independence. It’s something that was instilled in me at a very young age. Something I learned from my parents, and as empty nesters, I’ve always encouraged them to go forth and live.

I don’t take their lack of showing up to heart. They’ve shown up enough for me.

Sometimes, though, it’s impossible to be strong alone.

Catching a hiccup in my throat, I clear a path to mutter the only words I can before the weeping holds me captive.

“Daddy, I need you.”

CHAPTER 58

JETT

I’m fuming.

I’ve been uneasy about today since I agreed to it.

Now, without warning, I’ve put the woman I love in a position to face her abuser.

I barge from the bathroom, fire smoking from my ears, my blood boiling. My fists open and close the nearer I get to the back booth, nails carving moons into my palms.

How dare that motherfucker lay a finger on Fia.

The dark tunnel leading to the restroom is nothing for the darkness in my eyes. The bustle just on the other side feels quiet in comparison to the various voices telling me to kill this asshole.