CHAPTERONE
“Are you going to beg again?” Logan asked. His cheeks pinched as he grinned. This man who was checking my electronic bracelet to allow me entry to the compound knew full well my dilemma. He had to listen to me complain every time I marched outside for air, after an argument with my father. “You have less than two days before you’re screwed.”
My face scrunched up in irritation. “I have a different plan if my father says no this time.”
His silver hair gleamed in the fading light of the setting sun. “That would be?”
I shook my head ever so slowly. “It would probably be best if you didn’t know.”
“You’re not going to kill him, are you?” One bushy eyebrow rose.
“No.” My brown eyes rolled. “I do love the bastard.”
“Just don’t do anything illegal,” he rumbled. He patted my back as his scanner beeped in confirmation that I had access—of course, I did. I had lived on bases like this my entire life. His beefy right hand opened the door for me after he tapped in the code. “I worry about you, Poppy.”
I walked inside, mumbling, “Don’t. I’m a big girl now. I can handle myself.”
“Be careful! I mean it,” he hollered after me.
The doorshushed, closing out the fallen world.
I shook my head and tightened my ball cap on my head as I went through the body scanner. The guards there waved as I went through, gifting me encouraging smiles. Even I knew it was sad how the military personnel here were more fatherly than my own parent was. But I would take matters into my own hands if it came down to it. Because Logan was right. Time was running out.
I had turned into a selfish bitch the last few years.
It didn’t bother me any. If I wanted my freedom, I had to be ruthless.
My father no longer had access to my hard-earned money. Not that I had much, but I had saved to do what I must if he said no tonight. I wouldnotbe stuck here forever.
* * *
My rump was almost numb by the time my father walked into our quarters. I had been sitting in wait at the dining room table for just this moment. His red uniform, decorated with medals, shone in the bright kitchen overhead lighting. My father may be a pain most of the time, but he knew how to intimidate in his finery. All of his subordinates were scared of him.
I used to be too.
Now I was just pissed.
“Hello, Father,” I stated with false cheer. “How was your day?”
He opened the fridge and ducked to peer inside it, the inside light showing the wrinkles on his forehead. “I know that tone, darling dearest.” His brown eyes flicked in my direction as he pulled a bottle of water from the depths of the cooling unit. He kicked the door closed with ease and turned to face me. His throat worked as he took a long drink from the bottle, staring over the edge at me.
He grinned full of mirth. “What is it that you want this time?”
I tilted my head and cracked my neck. “Who says I want anything?”
“Pretty much every time you’re waiting for me after work, you want something.”
My red brows furrowed. “Really?”
“Really.” His black shoes clicked on the tiling as he walked toward me. His strong hand pulled out the chair next to me, taking a seat. Eyes identical to my own stared into my soul. “I can guess what it’s about this time.”
I stayed silent.
He rubbed at the wrinkles in his forehead absently as he leaned back, getting comfortable. “We’ve had this discussion a hundred times. I won’t sign off on you entering the Corporate Army.”
I kept my expression serene, not showing any of the frustration racing inside my head.“But you would sign off on me marrying a stranger? A stranger who is in your army?”
His voice was as calm as my façade. “He isn’t a stranger. I know him well. He’s a good man for you to marry. And it’s a good thing he works for the Liberated Army. You know that.” He swallowed another large drink of his water, and then he sighed. “Does it help that he’s a good-looking man?”
