My father’s warm blue eyes meet mine, but where they’re full of love, I also recognize the steely determination in them. My stomach knots.
“It’s New York fashion week next week. I have my big runway show. I’m walking it for Stella McCartney!” I shriek, snapping my eyes between all the men.
Killian and Jenson give me sympathetic looks, then avert their eyes. My father shakes his head with regret.
I turn to Denver for support.
“Please. Tell him, Den?—”
“I agree,” Denver says to my father, his eyes flicking to meet mine.
I snap my mouth closed and glare at him with all the hate I can muster, but he doesn’t even flinch.
“Can you take her to your place out of the city?” my father asks.
Denver nods. “Yes, Boss. No one will find us. Don’t worry.”
“Like hell I’m going to some cave with him in the middle of nowhere!” I jump to my feet, flashbacks of being told he was going to be my bodyguard hitting me at full force as my father gives me the same look he did that day.
“It’s not up for discussion. Until we know more about who these people are, it’s for the best,” my father says.
“When do I get to decide what’s best for me, huh?” I stab a finger into my chest. “When do I get a say in my own damn life?”
The thought of being in the city when Monty could be at risk makes my stomach twist. But it’s not the point. It’s that my life isbeing dictated to me. That I’m being told where I can be and who I can be with. That I’m letting whoever this is win, by running away.
If my brother was here, he would have my back. He would stand up for me. I never felt alone when he was here, like I do now. I reach for my necklace out of habit, but stop halfway, dropping my hand.
I swirl my gaze side to side, but it’s useless. None of the men in the room will listen to me. None.
My shoulders slump as Dad pulls me into a hug.
“I’m supposed to be shopping for baby things with Halliday tomorrow,” I say into his neck as I hug him back, hating fighting with him even more than I hate being ordered around.
“I know, Sweetheart. And I’m sorry. Halliday was looking forward to it as well. But it won’t be for long. You can go when you and Denver get back. It’s just until we figure this out.”
I squeeze him hard and open my eyes. My gaze meets Denver’s over my father’s shoulder.
“I trust him,” my father says quietly into my ear. “And you can too. He’s got your best interests at heart.”
I narrow my eyes at Denver, still so mad at him for not stepping in. For not doing anything other than being a model employee for my father. But I guess that’s what this is to him. His job, as he likes to remind me.
“He’s a brute,” I whisper in my father’s ear.
He chuckles, his chest vibrating. “Sweetheart, he’s the best at what he does. You’ll be safe with him. And so will Monty.”
Denver stares back at me as my father’s words sink in. Monty. I have to think about him. Dad’s right. He will be safer out of the city.
“I’ll be back for the runway show next week,” I announce as I slip out of my father’s embrace. “If Denver’s as good as you say he is”—my eyes stay glued to Denver’s darkening ones as I talk tomy father—“then this will all be sorted by then and Monty and I can come home.”
Jenson lets out a low whistle. “It’s not as simple as that, Sin?—”
“Fine,” Denver clips. “This gets sorted by next week. And if it isn’t?—”
“If it isn’t?” I arch a brow at him.
“If it isn’t, then I’ll make sure you’re prepared before we come back.”
I roll my eyes, feigning indifference as my stomach dances in victory.
