Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (red seas under red skies txt) 📗

With our close proximity, I can see that his blue eyes are darker than usual, and his blonde hair is a frazzled mess. This is a very different Maxwell West to the one I thought I knew. I glare at his raised fist and curl my lip, stepping towards him instead of away.

“I don’t know what file you are talking about. What makes you think I know where it is?” My voice is calm, low, but filled with anger. There’s a big chance my dad is going to strike me, just like his son did only weeks ago. But I will not cower anymore. I jut my chin up and focus on controlling my breathing. I don’t want him to see even the slightest bit of fear in me.

My pocket vibrates with another incoming call. It could be Officer Zimora returning my call. I probably need to answer it, but now isn’t the right moment. Not when my dad is so close. I can’t risk him getting my phone again. If he does, I’ll lose my ability to call for help.

“Of course, you know where it is.” My dad spits, “Your mother would have made sure of that. Now, stop playing games and tell me where it is!” As the last words leave my dad’s mouth, he grabs my upper arm, much the same way he did the night I sprung him with his mistress in the restaurant. His hold is tight and biting, which causes me to cry out in pain.

“I suggest you take your hands off her!”

The deep voice comes from behind me, surprising my dad so much that he instantly drops his hold on me and steps back. His blue eyes widen, focused over my shoulder.

I’m just as shocked to hear that voice, but I don’t let it show, and I don’t turn around. Right now, it’s better if my dad thinks the thugged up gang member behind me is on my side. Better the devil you know and all that.

“Who are you?” My dad growls, glancing at me before returning his confused gaze to Muz.

“I’m your worst fucking nightmare if you lay hands on Lexi like that again.” His voice is calm but every bit as menacing as his words.

“Uh- yeah, okay. Fine, I’ll keep my hands to myself. No need for the gun.”

My brows shoot up at my dad’s words, and I dart my head around to see that Muz has his gun trained on my dad.

“Really? A gun?” I ask, and he smiles at me like he’s proud. Idiot!

“It gets results.”

He’s not wrong. I shake my head and turn back to my dad.

“Look, dad. I don’t know what file you are talking about. Mum has said nothing to me. Why don’t you tell me more about the file so I can help you find it?” Of course, if I knew where it was or came across it, I wouldn’t let him get his hands on it. It must be pretty serious if he’s so desperate to get it back.

“God damn it!” Dad hisses and almost rips his hair from his scalp, clutching it tightly at both sides above his reddened ears.

“How about you answer your daughter, daddy dearest?” Muz growls, and I roll my eyes. Why is he even here? I thought we’d managed to get rid of him yesterday, but I guess I was wrong. Apparently, he was serious when he said he will be my shadow until Ayden speaks to his dad to try and get Ringo back on his side.

“Lexi, is everything okay?”

The innocent tone of Valarie’s voice meets us all, and I spin quickly, putting my hand on top of Muz’s, pushing down to lower it and the gun, as I look over his shoulder. Val is standing just outside the open front door, looking in on a scene that will make no sense to her. I’d like to keep it that way.

“It’s all good Val. My friend and I are just chatting with my dad. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Friend, hey?” Muz whispers, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He hasn’t taken his eyes off my dad, all while my hand remains over his, keeping the gun pointed down toward the floor out of Val’s view.

“That guy is your friend?” Val asks, scepticism filling her tone.

“A friend of sorts. It’s okay Val. Head back home.” The last thing I need is her getting hurt. I’d never be able to live with myself if something happened to her because of me.

“The little bitch better hurry up and go. I’m getting hard with you standing so close to me.” Muz growls through his teeth, and I glare at him.

“Call her a bitch again and see what happens, arsehole.” I quietly hiss so only he can hear.

“You’ve gone and done it now. I’m hard as a fucking rock. Wanna feel?”

I ignore Muz and return my gaze back to Val. She looks worried, her big dark eyes staying locked on me, searching for a sign that I’m lying. I mean, I am, in a way. Nothing about this situation is okay, but I can handle it. She doesn’t need to be here for this.

I nod at her, “Really, Val. It’s okay. I’ll talk to you later.”

She eyes me warily for another moment and then walks away, her small steps fading up the path.

“Did I say you could get that out?” Muz hisses, pushing me aside and raising the gun again. I spin to see my dad holding his phone in his palm, his fingers hovering over the screen.

“I need to make a call about the file.” My dad offers, and Muz gives him a nod of approval.

“On speaker!” Muz adds, and my dad dials a number.

“Hello?” My mum’s voice fills the room.

“What the fuck!” I frown. How did my dad just call my mum? He’s not meant to know where she is, let alone have a direct line to her. I haven’t even been able to talk