He shakes his head. “This isn’t the life for Daisy. It’s just a phase.”
“This isn’t aphase. This is the life she’s chosen. She would’ve had it sooner if she hadn’t been lied to.”
His eyes narrow. “So, she told you about her mother’s diary, did she? Her mother wrote about silly fantasies. She knew the church was her true calling.”
“Pastor Barlowe, you’ll have a better relationship with Daisy if you let her live her life the way she wants to.”
He frowns. “Who are you to tell me about my relationship with Daisy? You’ve known her for five minutes.” He waves an arm out. “This won’t last. The excitement will tarnish, and she’ll get tired of it.”
My fists clench and unclench by my side. I’m trying really hard, for Daisy’s sake, not to throw him out onto the street. “That’s not going to happen. We love each other.”
Scoffing, he shakes a finger at me. “If you really love my daughter, you’ll let her go.”
“Idolove her. But I won’t let her go.”
“You’ll only hurt her. A man like you doesn’t belong with Daisy.”
I take a deep breath and try my best to stay calm. This is Daisy’s father; I don’t want to cause more trouble than I already am. Although, I’m getting tired of the insults. A day ago, I would’ve believed him. Now I know better. “I won’t hurt her. But you have. By lying.”
His jaw clenches. “It was for her own good.”
“How is lying to your daughter for her own good? She was trapped. Miserable. All because she felt obligated to follow in her mother’s footsteps.”
“I kept her away from places and people that are unsuitable.”
“Well, she ended up in my club and with me anyway.”
“Not for long. She’ll come to her senses soon enough.”
“If you want a relationship with Daisy, you need to accept her choices. Otherwise, you’re going to miss out on knowing the amazing woman she really is.”
“How dare you insinuate that I don’t know my daughter. This version you created in this sinful place is not Daisy.”
I blow out a heavy breath. There’s no way of getting through to him. He is set in his ways, and nothing I can say will change his mind.
Just then, Lincoln and Asher come racing into the office, with a look of fear on their faces.
My heart seizes. “What’s happened?”
“We had a call from security at our apartment building,” Asher bursts out.
Asher and Lincoln look at each other, like neither one knows who should speak.
“Spit it out.” I want to shake them for keeping me waiting.
“Bruce has taken Daisy,” Asher says.
And with those few words, the blood drains from my body, and my world crashes around my feet.
thirty-five
DAISY
Scurryingtomyknees,the cold metal of the van’s floor pinches into my skin. My vision is slowly adjusting to the dimness. My chest heaves as I breathe in short, shallow breaths. Frantically, I shift over to the door and search for the doorhandle, but it’s been covered with a metal sheet bolted to the door.
I pull at it in the hopes of loosening it, but it doesn’t budge. “Help!” I kick at the door and slap the covered window, but the chances of anyone hearing me are slim to none.
Who would do this to me? And why? It all happened so fast; I didn’t see who threw me in here. I scan the space for anything I can use to either get me out or use as a weapon when the van stops. My blood turns to ice. What will happen to me when we stop? I can’t think about that. I need to find a way out. On my hands and knees, I palm the floor and walls of the van. It’s empty.
