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The burning that radiated from my hand up my arm said I had every reason to.
“I’ve prepared your room. Until the wedding, you will be at home where you belong.”
“My things are at Lincoln’s,” I protested. Far too quickly, I’d let my thoughts escape.
“And I’ll have them collected.”
“No, Daddy.”
Slowly, he tilted his head. “Is there a reason you choose to stay with your brother over your father?”
A chill skittered up my spine. A million. But I couldn’t say that to him.
“I—” An adequate reason to tell him failed to come to mind. I swallowed hard. I couldn’t stay with him. He was already stifling. If I was forced to stay with him, I wouldn’t be able to breathe without the illusion of freedom. “I’d like another week with him. I’ll come stay with you before the wedding.”
If my fingers weren’t stiff with pain, I’d cross them. Instead, I sent up a prayer, pleading he’d agree to the compromise. Then I’d have to figure out a way to avoid that fresh hell too.
I fashioned my features into one of innocence. “Will you help me pick a dress, Daddy?” I looked down at my hands. The one he’d touched was red and would most certainly be bruised by morning. “Mother isn’t here and . . .” I blinked up at him. “It would mean so much to me.”
My heart raced.Please let this distraction work. Please let this distraction work.
He probably had already selected my dress along with every other detail of the wedding. Mrs. Davenport justthoughtshe had a say.
“We’ll go shopping after we tour properties tomorrow.”
I nearly sagged in relief.
I kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“One week. You’ll come home.”
This time my smile was somewhat genuine. “Okay.” I settled back in my seat, too cocky and too comfortable after my victory. But I had to relish the wins.
We rode in silence until we reached Lincoln’s apartment building. A jolt of shock went through me that he’d actually taken me there.
He patted my hand, and I winced.
“I’ll collect you, seven a.m.”
I nodded and waited for the driver to open the door. When he did, I swung my legs out but twisted back to face my father.
“What would you do if Alex hurt me? Physically.”
His expression turned into a cool lethal. “Hashe hurt you?”
I waved him off. “It was a silly question. See you tomorrow.”
As I slid out the back, I nearly stumbled on the curb at what I was almost certain my father said.
“I will hurt him.”
Chapter Ten
Cal
“I’ll take the couch.”
Joe dropped his bag beside it. “No. No. I’ll be fine out here.”
