Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“You can’t do this.”
The room started spinning, but this wasn’t the kind of dizziness that came from standing up too fast. This was the kind of spinning that comes when your entire world tilts on its axis, leaving you clinging onto anything that can keep you from falling.
I didn’t know what to do.
This wasn’t what I wanted.
I had plans.
We had plans.
“Please don’t do this.” My voice broke, and tears started to stream down my face. “I love him, Mom. I love him so much.”
“I know you do, but that will change.” She didn’t show even a flicker of sympathy when she told me, “What matters is your future, and your father knows what’s best.”
I couldn’t breathe.
I needed to get out.
I needed to find Holt.
My heart was pounding as I whipped around and started out of the room. The second I hit the hallway he was there.
My father.
His jaw was clenched, and his gaze was hard and unyielding.
Without a word, he grabbed my arm, and his grip was firm as he steered me toward the front door. My pleas caught in my throat, but they didn’t matter. They were useless against the steel wall of his authority. He gave no explanations. No goodbyes. Just cold silence and the sound of my heart shattering with every step toward the waiting car.
They loaded my things into the trunk, and neither of them spoke as the driver took us to the private airstrip. I was a mess of tears and muffled sobs, but my father never even looked at me.
Once we got to the airfield, he gave me a harsh look and demanded that I give him my phone. I knew I had no chance of changing his mind, so I handed it over and got on the plane. When the doors closed behind me, it felt like I’d been sealed away from my family, my friends, and most of all, Holt. I’d just lost everything I loved.
It was at that moment that I realized this whole thing wasn’t about me and what I wanted. And it wasn’t about my parents doing what was best for me.
It was about control, and my father’s hunger for it.
It was always about control.
I knew that. Everyone who knew him knew that. It was one of the many reasons I had an uneasy feeling as I got closer to his office. That uneasy feeling grew even more intense when we pulled into the parking lot, and I saw that everyone had already gone for the day. I parked near the entrance, grabbed Ford’s hand, and hurried inside. The elevator ride up felt like it took forever, but when the doors finally opened, neither of us moved.
Knowing they were just going to close again, I nodded toward the hall and said, “Let’s get this over with.”
Ford sighed and followed as I stepped out of the elevator. As we neared Dad’s office, I heard his voice—sharp, angry, and louder than I’d ever heard before. “You don’t get to dictate terms to me!”
There was a response, but it was too muffled for me to hear.
“I don’t care what he said. I’m the one in control here,” he bellowed, the words echoing down the hallway.
Ford looked up at me with wide, curious eyes. I was tempted to just turn around and head back out to the car when the unmistakable crack of gunshots rang out, sharp and deafening.
I froze.
My heart slammed against my ribs as I tried to make sense of what I’d heard. Instinct kicked in, and I yanked Ford into the supply closet just a few feet away. I pressed him into the corner and crouched down in front of him, shielding him with my body. He sounded like he was on the brink of tears as he muttered, “Momma?”
“Shh, baby,” I whispered back, placing a finger to his lips.
My hands shook as I peeked through the slats of the door.
Two men burst out of Dad’s office. They were both dressed in dark suits, and their faces were cold and hard as they started down the hall. One still had his gun drawn while the other barked something I couldn’t make out. Seconds later, they were gone, leaving me and Ford completely panic-stricken.
I clung protectively to Ford as I strained to listen for any movement in the office. I didn’t know what to do. My mind screamed at me to stay put, but my heart pleaded for me to check on my dad.
Knowing I had to do something, I leaned down and brushed Ford’s dark curls back from his face. “I need you to do something for me... I need you to stay here until I come for you. Can you do that?”
“No, Momma.” He shook his head fiercely as his little hands reached out for me. “I don’t want you to go.”