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“I told you that’s not necessary.”
Dad didn’t answer. Zachary just watched him.
I marched over and moved in between them. “I know you’re concerned, but I’m not going to let that man drive me out of my own house.”
Something about that finally tore Dad’s attention from Zachary. “Flower, I can’t leave you here in danger.”
“I’m not in danger.”
“You could be and that’s enough. Just come home until this blows over.”
Zachary touched the small of my back, silently lending his support. It was such a small gesture, but it filled me with warmth and gratitude. He didn’t take over. He didn’t step in front of me and start a fight with my dad.
But he was there, on my side.
I looked my dad in the eyes and for once in my life, I stood my ground. “Dad, I really appreciate the offer. I understand that you’re worried, but this is my home. And I’m not leaving.”
His brow furrowed and his eyes flicked to Zachary again. “If anything happens to her.”
“It won’t,” Zachary said.
Dad hesitated for a long moment, as if deciding what to do. “All right. But if anything changes, you’re coming home.”
I sighed. My dad wasn’t one to let things go, but he was going to have to concede eventually. I stepped in and hugged him.
“Love you, Dad.”
He hugged me back. “Love you too, flower.”
With a hard glare at Zachary, he turned and left.
“He really doesn’t like me,” Zachary said.
“It’s not about you. He doesn’t like Preston. And he doesn’t like having to let go of his daughter.”
“I still don’t think he likes me. But that’s okay, I’ll win him over eventually.”
He gathered me into his arms and I rested my head against his chest. I was ready for everything to calm down.
I didn’t know why, but I had the strangest feeling things were going to get worse before they could get better.
Where am I?
BRIELLE
It took a while for the drowsiness to lift enough that Brielle could comfortably open her eyes. She didn’t know where she was or exactly how long she’d been there. It was hard to remember.
He’d drugged her. Put her in the trunk.
She didn’t remember much after that. When she’d come to, she was in a room, lying in bed. John had come and told her she’d done a good job. He was so proud of her. He’d done it to keep her safe and he wasn’t going to let anyone take her away from him.
Since then, he’d kept her high.
He said the pills were just to help her sleep and keep her from feeling scared. He wouldn’t want his kitten to be afraid while he was gone.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. At first, she’d believed him. Someone must have figured out where she was and they were coming for her. John was just protecting her. She was his pet.
But even her drug-addled mind couldn’t ignore the fact that he’d put her in a trunk. If they’d been questioned, she would have lied. She wasn’t going to tell anyone who she really was.
