“How did you know my father?” I asked timidly, my voice breaking from the dryness in my throat.
“How did I know him? How the fuck did I know him?” He spat as he paced back and forth on the spot, throwing his fingers through his matted hair before walking towards me calmly. His face broke into a disgusting smile, baring his yellowing teeth.
“Your bastard father was the one who put me in fucking jail for ten years.” He said calmly.
His words suddenly hit me like a freight train, derailing me completely. The man standing in front of me was the man who had killed my father, the man who took away my daddy.
“You fucking disgust me.” The words few from my mouth so quickly I didn’t even know if it was actually me who had said them, lost in the haze of fear and fury I didn’t even notice that Jack had moved out of my face. I also didn’t register Jack’s fist moving swiftly towards my face until I heard Angel finally open his mouth.
“NO!”
Car crash.
Drunk driver.
Revived at the scene.
I will always protect you from your demons Neva.
I need you.
My past will tear us apart, don’t you see that?
Maybe one day you will understand.
Ten white petals.
One yellow center …
With my eyes closed and my heart heavy, I finally let go.
Finally, letting the darkness consume me.
To my husband, Adam. Not only have you believed and supported me throughout this journey, you have also shown me the love and affection that inspired me to write. From your endless love to your natural reflex to protect me in every aspect of life. You are my real life Logan White and I can’t express how much I love you for it.
To my little man, Jacob. Thank you for being patient when mummy was locked away in the writing cave. I can only hope that when it’s time for you to make your own path in life, you will have an amazing journey. I love you millions, sweet boy.
To my mum, Paula. Thank you for pushing me to finally finish a project, without you I am sure I would be crying in a corner wondering what could have been.
To Liz King, my friend, my shoulder to cry on, my partner in crime. You have been with me since day one and I am so grateful to you for, everything. Without you Finding You wouldn’t be what it is today. You helped me through some tough times over the last couple of months and I can’t express what your friendship means to me. You teach me something new each day, whether it be in writing, life or my career. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
To Glenna, my awesome sauce friend. You keep me sane … Truly. You tell me to shut up and get on with it not matter what is going on. Your encouragement helps me through the bad times, and reminds me what I need to work for during the good times. Thank you for being such an amazing friend.
To my beta readers, Jen, Jodie, Megan and Kim. You guys rock my world! Without you, I wouldn’t be the writer I am today. Thank you for being there when I was having my weekly melt downs, you guys keep me grounded and I love you for it.
To Chrissy and Jennifer, my southern belles. I love you guys so hard! When I started writing Finding You I never thought for one minute about book signings, then you guys came along. Greenville will never be the same! You believed in my story and you believed in me, and I love you so much for it!
To Hannah, Sue, Nickie, Melissa, Ashley, Felicity and everyone who has supported, believed, pushed and nagged. I am so, so grateful. I have met some amazing friends during my journey and I hope that those friendships will continue into the future, you guys mean the world to me!
To Swoon Worthy Books, As The Pages Turn, Romance Addiction, Books, Coffee & Wine, 50 Shades Of Gabriel’s Crossfire Unscripted Destiny – Book Club, My Fictional Boyfriend and Book Whore Page and so, so many more who have all been amazing in getting the word out about Finding You! You guys are the bread to my butter.
To my Heartbreakers, thank you for supporting me. Your belief and support mean the absolute world to me. You guys are awesome!
S.K. Hartley is a mother, wife and a writer and has just written Finding You, book one in the Bad Boy Series.
Based in the not so sunny North West of England you can find her either glued to her computer desk, in the public library (Yes, they do still exist!) or floating around her favourite authors books signings.
Her inspirations are John Keats, Percy Shelley, William Blake and Herman Melville.
Her favourite authors at the moment are Katy Evans, K. Bromberg, Julie A. Richman. Lauren Blakely, Jamie McGuire and Rachel Van Dyken.
S.K. Hartley has an unhealthy obsession with coffee, chocolate and retro computer games and a healthy obsession of stalking indie authors.
Follow S.K. Hartley!
www.facebook.com/RestrainedLove
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http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7020553.S_K_Hartley
Finding You Page 19
