Page 42 of Heirs of Havoc

“Clementine is home.” Standing tall, I straighten my dress as I come face-to-face with my father. “I’ve set up a life. I have a job. Friends.” His mouth twists. Friends and anything outside of the Merlo empire are off-limits. “I’m not going back.”

“Nonsense, Mia.”

“I mean it, Dad.” My jaw tightens. “You don't get to walk in here and expect me to—”

“I said, nonsense!” The boom of his voice fills the room. He knows his dominance is hard to battle against, but I’ll sure as hell fight. I’m not going back. I won’t, I can’t.

Something shifts behind him and his men. In the window. A black figure. “Mia.” Dad steps closer. “When are you going to realize I’m only doing what’s best for you?”

“You’re doing what’s best for you. You always have.” My words soften, trying to keep my eyes on him, but it’s hard with that figure in the window.

Wait… is that Dom?

Confirming my suspicion, Dom’s head appears in the window of what looks like a balcony.

How did he get there?

He dodges my dad’s eyesight before my father turns to face me again. “You’re too young to realize the mistakes you're making, Mia. Why slum it here when you have it all back home? A family. A husband waiting—”

“An assigned husband isn’t a proper husband.” Dom’s head emerges in the window again, my eyes glancing towards it. As he brings his finger to his lips, he crooks the other.

He wants me to go towards him?

“Mia, I’m through with your silly games.” Dad reaches for my wrist, but I pull back before he can take hold. My eyes dart around the room. To William. To Dad. To Dom in the shadows.

Taking a minute to slow my breaths, I consider my two choices.

One, go home with my father and William and act like none of this ever happened.

Or, two, I can side with a fucking psychopath. The same one that led me to my demise.

If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be in this room with William. With my father.

What the fuck was he thinking? What the fuck am I thinking?

“Don’t be a wimp.”

Grabbing the vase of roses off the glass coffee table, my feet move towards him.

“Mia,” Dad calls as I empty the vase.

Here we go.

Crash!

Breaking the vase against the wall leaves a shard of glass in my hand.

That makes my father laugh. “I don’t have time for another one of your silly tantrums, Mia. It’s time to go. That’s an order.” Dad’s men move towards me as I bring the shard to my neck.

“I'd rather die than go back there with you." Moving closer to the window, I push the sharp end against my skin. “If anyone takes another step, I’m driving this into my throat.”

My father’s men slow.

“Now, Mia.” William’s arms come forward like he’s taming a lion. “There’s no need to be dramatic.” As if my father showing up with his men isn’t dramatic.

My back hits the window before an arm reaches around me. The shard drops to the ground, something cold landing against my temple.

“I don’t think she’s being dramatic, Martin.” Dom’s voice lands against my ears, my shoulders relaxing, though I’m not sure why. I’ve moved from one devil to another. “She looks dead serious to me. In fact, I know your daughter way better than you do. Inside and out.”

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