"That isn't even the best of it!" Stefan had no intention of letting us tell Dad that it was a simple romance. "She got stabbed because of him. Damn well near lost her life from it, too."
"WHAT?" Dad erupted.
"Dad, listen." My voice trembled as I spoke.
"Is it true?" Dad asked, looking me in the eye.
"Yes."
"No, Mia. No," Dad said, shaking his head. "I won't allow it." He walked out of the kitchen and I let go of Luc's hand so that I could follow after him.
All I wanted was a simple Christmas as a family.
Chapter Forty Seven
Lucas
"Iswear to God, Stefan," I said, turning on my brother.
"Doesn't that say it all, Lucas. Her Dad doesn't want you with her."
I had him up against the wall in seconds.
"Luc, sweetheart," Mom called over, panic lacing her words.
"It's her choice, Stefan," I told him. "Why can't you get it through your thick skull?" I jabbed a finger roughly into his temple.
"No one thinks you're any good for her!"
"You need to get over this," I hissed. I had let Stefan off lightly for Mom and Mia's sake, but I was tired of his behavior. Stefan continued to play games and he had hurt Mia in the process. I wouldn't stand for it any longer. Blood didn’t give him a right to disrespect me.
"I'm trying to fix this before she ends up as collateral damage," Stefan fired back. I’d always thought the reason he chose medicine as a profession was more to do with his savior complex than love of the job itself.
Pulling him away from the wall, I slammed him back against it. "You're going to end up damaged if you keep going."
Dante's hand appeared on my shoulder. "Go see Mia," he said. "She's more important."
It took me a moment before I let go of Stefan and stormed out of the kitchen to find my girlfriend. When I got out the front door, Mia and Hector were mid-argument in the driveway.
"You don't know him, Dad!" Mia yelled.
"I know his kind well enough, Mia. You should want better for yourself," Hector told her. "You aren't staying with him, Mia. I won't allow it!"
"You can't tell me what to do."
I joined Mia's side. "Hector, just listen to her."
"You!" Hector pointed a finger at me. "You sneaky bastard. You took her from me and now you've done this. You've twisted her mind into thinking that she loves you."
"He didn't do anything!" Mia screamed.
"Hector." I tried to be a calm voice of reason. This was not my fight but seeing Mia’s fury unleashed meant I needed to step up to the plate.
Hector ignored me and kept his attention on Mia. "This isn't love, Mia! This is sick! He's a sick man!"
"As if you are any better!"
"Mia," I warned her. She was going to say something she would regret.
