She looks at her father like a frail little girl, and for a moment I see the broken ballerina instead of my fierce woman. I should kill him for this, for treating her like an object.
I fucking hate myself for doing this to her, but I had to get her away from him. Even if she doesn’t want me, this isn’t the life for her. Her mother did everything she could to protect her. Now I’m going to do the same.
33
POPPY
Once again I’m holding two black bin bags with my life packed into them. Dom waits for the valet to bring his car around, carrying a large bag of mine. After Billy bought me a full wardrobe, this is the most clothing I’ve ever owned. He was good for something at least.
Billy stands in the lobby of the hotel. He’s not my father. The father I knew wouldn’t have sold me off like a piece of meat. His green eyes are cold and calculated, watching Dom’s every move.
“Where the hell is he?” Billy snaps.
Dom checks his watch. “He’s on his way. He’ll be here soon enough.”
“If you doublecross me, hunter, I’ll kill you and your brother.” His jaw ticks impatiently. He’s so eager to be rid of me.
Dom chuckles. “Come on, Billy, that’s no way to talk to your future son-in-law.”
He snarls. “You hurt her and the deal’s off.”
“Don’t act like you actually care about me.” My voice wobbles as I try to say the words with a venomous bite. I want to launch myself at him and claw his eyes out. I want to kill him myself for everything he put me and mum through. I thought she was this free spirited hippy who loved travelling, while all the time she was on the run from Dad and his enemies and possibly the police, hiding the hidden asset for him while we lived like paupers.
“I do care about you, but this is business. When I sell the piece, I’ll send you a nice wedding gift.”
“Don’t bother. I don’t need anything from you. I’ve managed this far. I can manage on my own.”
He would stay away for months at a time then come home with gifts. Everything is clear now. I was too young to understand before, but he was never a father. He was never around long enough.
It was always mum who was there for me. I don’t recall him at one dance class or reading me a bedtime story or any of the other things that normal dads do.
Dom slips an arm around my waist. “Let’s go, baby.”
I spin away from him, swinging the black bag full of clothes in his direction. “Get off me. And don’t call me baby.”
“There she is, my fiery woman that I love.” Dom quirks his lip as I glare at him, then I storm out the lobby after making a scene. Heat rises in my cheeks. I lift my head high and walk to Dom’s car waiting out front.
Dom and Billy follow, then Dan’s silver Audi pulls up behind him.
Billy strides straight to Dan’s car for the package. Dom ushers me into his Range Rover, and I watch the scene behind me through the side mirror. Billy steps away from the car looking rather pleased with himself, clutching a black box in his hands. He knocks on my passenger window. I don’t look at him. If I do, I fear I’ll let him see the broken little girl in me.
“If you need anything, peanut, I dropped a card into your bag with my number on.” I’m going to lose my shit if I hear him say that nickname one more time. “If I need anything? I need a father. One who actually cares about me.”
Dom drives the car out of the drop-off zone, then out of the hotel parking. Dan follows behind. I stay silent. How many times am I going to let men control me like this? He can keep the necklace. It’s caused me nothing but grief. I’m glad to see the back of it. Now I just need to get away from these crazy fuckers and move as far away from them as possible. Maybe I’ll go to Scotland.
I need my car back first. That’s the only reason I got in this damn Range Rover in the first place. I’ll go back to his to get the rest of my stuff and get my car, then I’m outta here. Nobody owns me. Least of all my dad. I was never his to sell.
Dan pips his horn behind us. The sound makes me jump, but when I look out the window, Dan turns off in a different direction and the brothers give each other a nod.
Dom takes my hand. “You all right?”
I snatch it away. “What do you think?”
“There’ll be no more secrets between us from now on. Ask me anything you want. I’ll tell you the truth.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
