Page 48 of Wade’s Wrath

Wade looked toward the windows and barked out his laugh. “You sure about that?” The man hesitated, but just enough to let her know that Wade had guessed correctly. Wade glanced toward one of the prospects near the pool tables, and the prospect immediately headed for the back.

The stranger sighed. “Harlow, your father simply wants to speak with you.”

“He has my number,” she said.

“He says you're not answering your phone,” the man said.

“Oh, yeah,” she breathed. “I threw my phone in a gas station trash can.”

Wade looked over his shoulder. “You threw it away?”

“I told you that,” she insisted. “You must have missed that part.”

The stranger cleared his throat, and Harlow looked at him. “Tell my father I'm not coming home.”

“Ms. Kane—” the man breathed.

“And tell him to release my bank accounts,” she shouted. The man shifted, and her stomach twisted. “He froze them, didn’t he?” she asked, already knowing the answer. Money meant freedom, and there was no way her father would give her that. The stranger said nothing, and Harlow laughed bitterly. “Of course he did.”

“Harlow,” Wade said quietly, but she ignored him.

“Tell Richard if he thinks cutting off my money will force me back, he's wrong,” Harlow said.

“Your father pays for your entire life,” the man reminded.

“Not anymore.” The words felt terrifying and incredible all at once. “I have a job now.”

The man glanced around the bar. “At this place?” he asked. Wade went still, and Harlow saw it. So did several Savage Bastards, but the stranger apparently didn't.

Harlow stepped around Wade before he could respond. “Yes.” The man looked at her. “This is where I choose to work, so, yes.”

“Harlow—” the man said.

“It’s Ms. Kane to you,” she hissed.

His mouth tightened. “Ms. Kane, your father is offering you one opportunity to come home quietly before this becomes embarrassing.” There it was—the language she'd heard her entire life. She was taught to keep up appearances to preserve her family’s reputation and save them from embarrassment.

Something inside Harlow finally snapped. “Tell my father I'm done being embarrassed for him.” The man blinked at her. “And tell him I'm done letting him decide what happens to me.”

“I'm not sure you understand the consequences,” the man countered.

Wade stepped forward. “Careful.” The single word changed the entire room, and the stranger finally seemed to understand where he was.

Harlow put a hand against Wade's arm, and he looked down at it. “I've got this,” she whispered. His eyes met hers, and then he stepped back. Not far, but far enough to give her some space. Harlow appreciated what that meant. He was letting her fight her own battle.

She faced her father's representative. “I'm not going back.”

“Your father won't accept that,” he said.

“He doesn't have to,” she said with a shrug.

“And Mr. Donnelly?” the man asked.

Harlow's stomach clenched, but she forced herself not to show it. “Frank can go to hell.”

The man stared at her. “Anything else?”

“Yes.” Harlow smiled. “I want you to tell my father I got a job here.” Wade coughed.