The bedroom door burst open, the wood slammed against the wall. Emma's breath caught in her throat as a hulking reflection filled the doorway. Time seemed to slow, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.
"There's my girl," her father's voice sent shivers down her spine. He took a step forward, the dim light from the hallway illuminating his face. The years hadn't been kind to him; his once-handsome features were now weathered and hard, his eyes cold and calculating.
Tom moved with surprising speed despite his injuries, positioning himself between Emma and her father. "You're not welcome here," he said, his voice steady and firm. "Leave now, before this gets worse for you."
A cruel laugh escaped Emma's father's lips. "Worse for me? Boy, you have no idea what I'm capable of." He glanced ove
