The Professor (Forbidden Encounters 1)

“What? Has he hurt you?” The buzz I felt is gone, and now I want to kill the man that dared to hurt a woman that’s been a second mother to me.

“Anyway,” she changes the subject, ignoring my question.

So that’s a yes.

I’m going to kill him.

“This letter is from your mom. Your dad kept it from you. There is a key to a safety deposit box in there too. I don’t know what there is in it or anything like that, but I thought you deserved to have this. You father isn’t a good man. He is a lying bastard that deserves everything that’s about to come his way.”

My head pounds with all the information she’s giving me. She hands me the envelope and starts to walk out. “Abby is a good girl. She shouldn’t be put on trial for her father’s doings. Can you imagine your life if that were to happen to you? And do me a favor, anything we talked about, please keep it between us,” she says.

“Of course,” I say. I don’t like to tell my dad anything anyway.

Diana shuts the door as she leaves, and I’m left staring at my name written in black ink from a woman I lost when I was too young.

I miss her like crazy.

I trace the outline of my name, my eyes filling with tears. This is the last thing she left me, and my father kept it from me. Carefully, I open the letter, gently unfolding the paper so I don’t tear it. It’s delicate since it’s so old and a bit aged with a yellow hue.

Bryce,

Your 18th birthday is tomorrow and if you’re reading this, I’m no longer here. I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger for you. You have questions and my answers are simple. Your father is a horrible man. Your father is abusive, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I couldn’t take it anymore. He w

ouldn’t allow me to leave. He’d threaten to hurt you, but I know he won’t, at least, not physically.

I love you. So much. You are taken care of though. I made sure of that. Take this deposit key and go to Wyoming National. There is a safety deposit box there.

I hope you have a good life, and know that I miss you.

Don’t ever believe a word from your father. He is Satan in a Sunday hat.

I’m with you always,

Mom

Holy hell. My mother killed herself because of my dad. There had always been a part of me that blamed myself. Seeing these words from my mom, it solidifies everything Diana said. I stand, knowing I have to go to the safety deposit box and see what my mother left me. Then, I’m going to go grovel for Abby’s forgiveness.

I don’t deserve it, but I want it because I only want to be with her.

Forever.

I stand and sway, realizing I’m way too drunk to fucking drive. I’ll have to use Gerard, our butler, and he can take me to the bank. I grab my coat and wallet, tuck the letter and key in my hand, and rush out of my room.

I squeeze my eyes together a few times to help focus my vision, so I don’t fall down the steps. “Gerard!” I bellow, not that I needed to. He was right at the base of the steps watering the plants.

“Mr. Marshall?” he asks, surprised at my urgency.

“I need you to take me to the bank,” I whisper. “This is between me and you, okay?”

I know he smells the liquor on my breath. It’s impossible not to. He nods and without question, grabs his coat from the hook and opens the door.

“Thank you,” I say, hurrying out before my father shouts for me like he always does. I swear, if I have to hear about Charlie one more time, I’m going to shoot myself in the foot.

I throw him my keys and climb in the back of the Lexus and buckle up. The bank isn’t far, so the drive lasts about fifteen minutes before I’m opening the door before the car is fully stopped. “Stay right here. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I’ll pay for your time, Gerard. This is urgent.”

“You’re my favorite Marshall. Take all the time you need,” he says.

“Thanks, Gerard.” I slam the door and shake my head as the world spins.