Page 62 of Twisted Tyrant


Font Size:  

Dad is the first of the three to see me, and his tight expression stops me dead. It doesn’t scream happiness or relief. He just stands there, staring at me. He doesn’t make a single attempt to run to me and throw his arms around me. He doesn’t even smile.

How?

Isn’t that what normal fathers would do after seeing their child after she’s kidnapped from their home? The home he didn’t secure enough to prevent the attack from happening in the first place?

It’s like a swift sucker punch to the gut. I decide in that second that I’m tired of asking myself rhetorical questions. I’m getting answers. Anger floods my veins when my gaze captures Dad’s hardened one, holding it captive as I close the distance between us. All feelings of sadness and dejection dissipate into the floral-scented air of the massive foyer. Only rage remains.

“You let them take me.” My voice shudders when a sob catches in the back of my throat. I choke it back because there is just no way I’m going to give these bastards the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. “You let them kidnap me from my bedroom and watched them take me from my home. From my life!”

“Lower your voice,” Dad says, his eyes flickering to Dima’s murderous expression.

I suck in a breath. “Are you serious right now? You think I’m going to–”

“You will or there will be consequences,” Dima says in a smooth voice, folding his hands in front of him with a faint smile that makes him look somewhat at ease to anyone who might be looking at us from a distance.

I ignore him, firing a glare at my father. “I had a life, and you let them take it all away. School, work, my students…all fucking gone. I wasn’t even allowed to call anyone to let them know. My kids, my boss, my teachers, my friends. What the fuck? How could you sit back and watch it happen without even trying to stop them?”

“He knew it was impossible to stop us,” Dima’s father says, his blue eyes sweeping over me like I’m some hobo living on the street. “He knew the punishment was imminent.”

I grit my teeth before continuing my tirade. “And letting them manhandle Mom and the girls while you sat there and watched? How could you be such a coward? I always looked…I looked up to you. I trusted you to protect us and make sure we were safe and secure because that’s what fathers do, right?”

My breaths become splintered. They morph into raspy pants that feel as if they’re slicing at my lungs. “But you didn’t protect any of us, did you? You did things that put us all in danger and then stepped aside to let that danger break us. Whatever you did broke us. Forever. And you’ll never be able to fix it.”

“Stop this tirade right now,” Dad says in a low growl. “You’ll only bring harm to your sisters if you keep this up.”

“More threats.” I look between Dima and my future father-in-law. “That’s what you people are good at, right? Making people cower because you have guns and money?”

“We make people cower because we have power and control,” Dima hisses, grabbing my arm. “You’ll learn the difference. And you’ll become my wife because your father has neither.”

My father’s jaw doesn’t even tense — not at Dima’s words, nor at his tight grip on my arm.

What in the actual fuck?

“You’re just going to let him talk to me like this? And let him humiliate you by showcasing his victory over you?” I clench my fists, hating like hell that my voice gives away the emotion I am trying so hard to keep from flowing out of me like hot lava.

“He’s smartened up,” Dima scoffs. “Too little, too late for you, but not for your mother and sisters.”

“I hate you,” I hiss at Dima. “You are a miserable fucking person, and I would rather die than be with you!”

“Keep it up and you won’t have the choice.” His lips twist, his face taking on a manic glow. He looks exactly like Luka, and yet I’ve never seen an uglier person in my life.

High heels click and clatter behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a group of girls gather outside of the ceremony room, bunches of calla lilies clutched in their hands. The wedding planner lines them up, then calls out instructions to the groomsmen a few feet away.

This is supposed to be a happy occasion. But for me, it feels like everything and anything but. My choices are no longer limited. They are obsolete. All because of my father — my idol and my hero.

“Enough of this bullshit,” Dima’s father snaps. “The deal is done. Your father is here to show his support.”

The doors to the cocktail lounge slam open, hitting against the wall. I whirl around just in time to see Luka push through them. His forehead is creased, brows furrowed.

Something is definitely wrong.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, my heart dips into my gut, clenching with anticipation of how much worse this night can get.

“Mom just came from the bridal suite.” His lips pull into a tight line. “Valentina is missing.”

“So send someone to look for her. Maybe she went to sneak a smoke before the ceremony,” Dima says in a flip voice. “Stop starting shit.”

Luka gives him a long, hard look. “The guys and I looked everywhere for her. She’s gone, Dima.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like