“That will never happen.”
“Oh, yes, it will. Do you really think I’ll let you leave?” Whatever his intentions, he was certainly doing a great job of upping the creep factor. To the world, my father was a stunningly handsome man, but to me, he’d always been the ugliest monster.
“Let me pass.”
“Or what?” he challenged as he pressed in closer. “You’re all alone. That tattooed punk isn’t here to save you. What are you going to do? It’s just you and me, Barbette.”
My breaths came harder and faster with each step he took. My father was stronger than me and probably faster. What could I do if he grabbed me? I wouldn’t be able to fight him off or outrun him.
“I’ve got a buyer lined up. He wasn’t my first choice or even my third, but he’s willing to pay. You’re even friends with his son, so I suppose you should be thanking me.” He actually smiled as if he’d done something kind.
“You suppose wrong. I’m not marrying Jason.”
He paused, his eyes flashing with surprise. “Who said anything about Jason?”
It was my turn to be confused, though I didn’t let it show. If not Jason, then who? Just as quickly, I decided it didn’t matter. Perhaps my father was just surprised that I knew more than I should. “Well, then whoever,” I snapped. “I don’t care because I’m done taking orders.”
“Ah, but think of your mother and the consequences if you don’t do what I say.”
“You can’t hurt my mother if you’re behind bars. Can’t spend all that money, either.”
It occurred to me that this was the longest conversation I’d had with my father in years. Probably since the day he told me that he’d be marrying me off.
“And what makes you think I’m going to prison?” There was no anger or worry in his tone as he continued to toy with me. Well, he wouldn’t be having his fun with me much longer.
“Because I found the emails between you and your CFO. I also took the liberty of sharing them with the board and the investors you robbed.”
This time, when he paused, rage filled those blue eyes that I’d inherited. “I don’t believe you.”
I shrugged. “So what if you don’t? I’m sure the SEC and the Feds will when I tell them about all the money you stole.” I smirked, making his face turn reddish-purple.
“Oh, I assure you that won’t happen. Even if I have to keep you bound and gagged until it’s time to say ‘I do.’” He charged toward me, and I knew that this was it, the last stand I’d ever have against my father.
I dove for my bag.
My hand was still blindly searching inside when I felt my father’s harsh grip in my hair. Ripping the bag from my hand, he tossed me to the floor, and I scrambled away when he charged for me.
“The first thing I’ll do,” he spoke harshly as he removed his leather belt, “is give you a sound beating, and this time, I won’t stop until you bleed.”
After folding the belt in half, he raised it over his opposite shoulder, preparing to deliver a punishing blow. Before he could, I raised my arm, pointing the gun he hadn’t noticed me holding.
“One more step and I’ll shoot.”
Slowly, he lowered his arm, but his gaze turned from shock at seeing me holding his gun to mocking. “You won’t kill me.”
I almost scoffed at the notion that my dad thought I still loved him enough to care if he lived or died. Or maybe he just thought I didn’t have the guts? Maybe I didn’t but killing him wasn’t the only way I could finally be free.
“I never said I would.” Removing the safety, I turned the gun on myself, pressing the muzzle against my right temple. The last thing I wanted to see was my father’s face. I wanted to close my eyes and picture Jamie’s smile one last time, to see the look in his eyes when he’d said he loved me for the first time. But what if I did, and I couldn’t go through with it? The alternative was just too horrible to consider.
“You expect me to believe you’ll shoot yourself?” His gaze narrowed, seeing the truth in my own. “Why?”
Lifting my chin, I curled my finger around the trigger. He needed to know that I was completely fucking serious. “Because if I can’t have me, no one will.”
The silence that fell over the room as my father and I continued to face off was so heavy that I could swear I heard his heart skip a beat. I’d left him with no choice. We both knew it. If I died, he’d get nothing. If he let me walk, there was always the chance he could come after me later.
Wanting to get as far away from him as possible, I stood before cautiously collecting my bag. My grip on the gun remained firm. Our identical blue gazes never once parted.
“This isn’t over,” he spat. “I’ll be seeing you real soon, Barbette. Make no mistake about that.”
I almost choked on the sheer hate I glimpsed in his eyes. It doesn’t matter now, Barbette. You’re free.
“Well, Father, if you happen to escape the hard time you’re looking at, I’ll be waiting.”
I could barely see where I was going as tears clouded my vision and soaked my cheeks. I pedaled my old red Huffy as fast as it would go as I raced down the drive for the open gates. For freedom.
My father had let me go.
It didn’t matter that it was because his back had been against the wall. I stopped pining for his affection long ago. I’d been searching for love in all the wrong places when I had it all along. And Jamie had given it to me freely.
I reached the end of the drive, prepared to fly through the open gates when several vehicles turned in, blocking the entrance.
Panic speared my chest, thinking it had all been a lie. I hadn’t won. My father only made me think I had to play some sick game.
I heard car doors opening and footsteps running my way as I quickly dashed at my tears. I rushed to climb from my bike so that I could fight, but strong hands were already circling my waist and lifting me.
I pounded my fists against the hard chest, locking me in like a wall, and struggled against the harsh grip holding me hostage.
“Jesus, kitten. Calm the fuck down!” a familiar voice barked.
Blinking, I finally cleared my vision enough to notice the green tie I’d picked out this morning. Now that I wasn’t panicking, I even recognized the smell of the aftershave soothing my senses.
It was Jamie standing in front of me.
“Jamie?” I gasped as I looked around. It was his car, along with Ever’s and Wren’s car and Four’s bike blocking the entrance. I could see the apology and worry in her eyes as she watched us. Had she called them? I looked to Jamie for answers. “What are you doing here?”
“Funny,” he bit out, “I was about to ask you the same.” He looked furious, afraid, and relieved all at once. I could understand why. The very thing that he’d been afraid of had almost happened. The outcome, however, was worth the risk. Jamie was worth the risk.
“I was going to run away,” I admitted and felt his grip tighten on me. “I thought it was the only way I could be free of my father, but…” I swallowed the words, unsure if I should go on.
“But?” he prodded almost desperately.