i can't want you (i'm taking you anyway)

part 15

"Drew..."

"Shut up!" The back of his hand hit my cheek, snapping my head backwards. I gasped, my palm flying to my face as I turned back to stare at Drew.

"Did you just fucking hit me?" I blinked at him. He'd never, ever raised a hand towards me. Not ever. Drew took in a breath.

"Yeah, well." He shook his head. "You deserve a lot fucking more than that."

Shit. I swallowed, my eyes flickering past him to Ronan's room. He caught the motion, staring me down. 

I bolted, but I didn't make it very far. His hands went around my neck, slamming me up against a wall as I clawed at his grip, kicking out at him. But he was far stronger than me, and we'd known each other for years. He knew me well enough to know how to keep me down.

"Drew!" I gasped as my air ran out, spots covering my vision. In a last-ditch attempt, I kicked out, catching him right between the legs.

"Fuck!" Drew's hands loosened around my neck and I crumpled, gasping for air as he stumbled back. "You bitch!" He lunged for me as I tried to scramble away. I cried out as his fist hit my nose, an explosion of heat erupting from where he struck me. The force of his punch sent me reeling, my temple striking the side of the coffee table. I slumped onto the ground, my head spinning, pain rushing through me.

Ronan. I had to get Ronan. 

I heaved myself to my knees, and as Drew came for me again, my eyes caught on the vase of flowers in the middle of the coffee table. Fuck, I didn't have a choice. Lunging for it, I grabbed the vase and spun, letting it crack against the back of Drew's head with all my strength. He stumbled, tripping over the corner of the couch and slamming onto the ground. The vase shattered as it hit him and I released my grip on the shards of glass, fingers trembling as I looked down at Drew. Fuck, had I killed him?

Then he groaned, shifting. I panicked, grabbing for my phone and stuffing it in my pocket. My shoes were resting by the hallway, and I snatched them up, pulling them on as fast as I could before bolting into my daughter's room. She was fast asleep, and I tried to move as quickly as I could while trying not to startle her, lifting her out of her cot and cradling her to my chest. I looked around, but I was scared that if I took the time to grab anything, Drew would catch up to me.

"Fuck!" I whimpered, deciding just to run first and look back later. Ronan started to cry in my arms at being disturbed as I carried her quickly from the room, rushing down the hallway and scanning the key hook. Fuck, where had I put my car keys.

"Looking for these?" I turned to see Drew at the other end of the hallway, my car keys dangling from his hand. Desperation rushing through me, I looked back at the hooks, but his car keys weren't there either. Fuck. "You can't take her from me Taylor. Blood or not, she's my daughter." Drew almost growled at me. "I spent the last two and a half years taking fucking care of you both, and you lied to me. I'm not letting you take her away."

"Fuck you." I whispered, clutching my baby close as he took a step towards me.

"Hand her over Taylor, or I'll make this fucking worse."

I glanced towards the door. Fuck.

"Taylor."

I ran, grabbing the door and yanking it open. I heard Drew's yell behind me as I slammed it closed, rushing down the steps into the street. I just ran, clutching Ronan close as she wailed in my arms, confused. My heart thumping, I waited until I'd turned the corner before slowing to a walk. Fuck, what did I do? I had no car, nowhere to go. I didn't know anyone in the city, and I couldn't keep Ronan out on the streets.