Page 286 of Wicked Brutal

“Who told you that?”

“No one.”

“Then I’m impressed you came to that conclusion on your own.”

His smile widens. Dad doesn’t move.

Victor’s hand slides a little farther around my waist. “Anything you want.”

“That seems irresponsible.”

“I can afford irresponsible.”

I tilt my head. “Anything?”

“Within reason.”

“Oh.” I sigh dramatically. “And there it is.” Victor laughs again. Dad’s chair creaks. I don’t look at him. I keep my eyes on Victor. “Here I was thinking you were finally going to let me have some fun.”

“Is that what you want?” The question changes slightly. So does his voice. I hear it.

I let myself smile a little slower. “Maybe.”

His eyes sharpen. Good. I’ve learned something. Dad hears every tease as disobedience. Victor hears it as interest. And right now, I need Victor to hear exactly what he wants.

He draws me a little closer. “Maybe?”

I smooth an imaginary wrinkle from the front of his jacket. “I haven’t decided how difficult I intend to be yet.”

“Alison.” Dad’s voice slices through the room.

I turn my head. His expression has gone hard. Victor glances at him.

“What?”

“Enough.”

“Enough of what?”

“The insolence.”

My stomach tightens. I start to step away from Victor.

His hand stays at my waist. “She was teasing me.”

“She was being disrespectful.”

“To me?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me.” Dad’s eyes flick to Victor’s hand. Something ugly passes across his face. “She’s become increasingly insolent. It needs to be dealt with before she leaves.”

Victor’s expression changes. Not much. Just enough. “No.”

Dad sits back slowly. “Excuse me?”

“You misunderstand me.” Victor looks down at me. “I like when she teases me.”