“That’senough.” Allora’s voice is steady as she approaches, but her eyes are blazing. “What do you think this is, the 1950s? You think you can just run my life,show mewhat’s good for me?”
“If we were together, you wouldn’t have been kidnapped!” he snaps.
“You don’t know that!” she yells. “It could have happened at the grocery store or?—”
“You weren’t at the grocery store! You were having some kind of girls’ night, probably wearing?—”
Before anyone can intervene, her hand shoots out and she slaps him across the face.
That’s my girl.
I can’t help but smirk at the look on Tex’s face.
“Were you about to say it was my fault? That me getting kidnapped was because I met my girlfriends downtown and had one single solitary glass of wine? I was raped because I wore shorts and flats?” Her voice is getting louder as she continues. “That I was brutalized because I dared to stay out past nine o’clock on a weeknight?” Her chest is heaving now, fists clenched at her sides. “Isthatwhat you’re trying to say, Tex?”
“Yes!” he yells, practically growling as he gets in her face.
“Back. Off.” My voice is low, but I won’t hesitate to break his neck if he gets any closer.
He must notice the change in my tone, and at the very least Silver does, because he puts a hand between Tex and Allora.
“Back up,” he commands.
Tex only hesitates a fraction of a second before he does.
“This is exactly why I walked away from your life.” Allora turns to her father. “Men like him. Not only are they prevalent in the club, you allow them to do it. And the sad thing is, you probably agree with him. You believe that this wouldn’t have happened if I just towed the line and lived your lifestyle.”
“I never said that,” Silver says, voice laced with frustration.
“But you didn’t deny it either.” Allora looks like she wants to cry and slowly turns and walks out of the room.
“Dammit, Silver, this is—” Tex begins but to my surprise, Rage steps in.
“Do you ever shut up?” he demands. “Do you not see the shit storm you started? And instead of backing off, letting father and daughter work things out, you’re doubling down.” Rage towers over Tex menacingly.
“I think everyone needs to calm down.” Daniil is using his politician voice to lower the temperature in the room. “I didn’trealize you were stopping by today, Silver, but let’s convene in the conference room and talk.”
Tex gives me one last dirty look before turning his back.
I’d be willing to bet he won’t fuck with me again.
Chapter Thirty
Allora
My dad didn’t really have news. It was more of a sad, frustrating update.
Another woman was taken. A teenager, living at one of the shelters. Her friend reported her missing, but as usual, it took two days before the police took it seriously. Now it’s probably too late.
I feel bad but I’m even more determined to find these guys and end their operation. No matter how much it upsets Landon.
After the argument with my dad and Tex, I stayed out of sight for the rest of the afternoon. I hung out with Courtney and Luna, talking about nothing in particular, until it was time for Landon and me to go back to Rage’s place. My father and I didn’t talk again before he left, and I’m feeling a weird combination of frustration and guilt. If my mom were still alive, she’d know how to smooth things over.
But she isn’t and I don’t.
“You okay, babe?” Landon has been quiet all afternoon. Not avoiding me but definitely avoiding any kind of serious conversation.
“I’m frustrated,” I admit quietly. “All the men in my life seem to have opinions but no one is really listening to me.”
