Page 87 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“What do you mean,” she asked, angrily.

“I saw your father’s men earlier. There are at least three of them, maybe more. I thought they were here for you, not Atlas. The point is we can’t force them to stop and even if we do, we’re out gunned and it just puts Atlas in more danger.”

Kaylani stomped away, fuming, her hands balled into fists as she swore.

Ehren and Corey, who was still drying her tears, walked up to us. Kaylani wheeled on them and pointed.

“Leave now, take the SUV and try to catch up to the trailer. Don’t do anything, just make sure they make it back to the stable safely.”

“What are we going to do?”

Kaylani hit me with a stare as hard as steel.

“We’re flying home. It’s time that my father and I had a serious conversation.”

I nodded. “Alright. Let’s go.”

Chapter

Twenty-Five

KAYLANI

My father didn’t stand when I stormed into his office and slammed the door. He didn’t look surprised either, which enraged me more.

He sat behind his desk with his jacket off and sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, as if this were a business meeting and not like he’d decided to detonate my life. A crystal glass rested in his hand. Ice shifted softly as he took a slow sip.

I had spent the entire flight back fuming and barely holding myself together, and here he was, looking smug, like this was a game. It wasn’t a game. It was my life.

My mother stood near the window, her fingers twisted together so tightly her knuckles were white.

Marching to the desk, I leaned on it and stared him in the eyes.

“Give him back. You had no right to take Atlas.”

Dimitri set the glass down carefully.

“Good evening, Kaylani.”

“Don’t,” I snapped, smacking my hand against the wood. I refused to sound hysterical and forced myself to breathe. “Atlas is not leverage. He is not a toy for you to play with. He is a living, breathing creature, and he is my partner. What you did was cruel.”

He leaned back in his chair. “You mistake control for cruelty.”

My chest tightened. “You stole my horse.”

“I relocated an asset that I purchased,” he drawled.

Mom inhaled sharply. “Dimitri⁠—”

“No,” I cut in. “You didn’t take something you bought. You tried to crush my spirit.”

“Daughter, you are being dramatic. No harm has come to the animal.”

My fists balled. “You bought him as a gift. Then you use him like a knife when I don’t jump to your command. That is vicious and manipulative. You are not the father I used to know.”

His eyes narrowed.

“You are not a child anymore. Yet you behave like one. Careless public displays. Striking a suitor with whom we have business ties. Ignoring arrangements that benefit this family. What has become of you?”