Page 105 of Idaho

"Eva!"

I turned and opened my arms for my sisters. Even Charlie came over and threw his arms around my waist. My heart warmed at the show of love.

"What happened?" Father asked, glaring around the room, looking for Idaho and Alex.

"It was a misunderstanding," I said quickly, trying to play it off. If he knew another kidnapping attempt had happened, and right under his nose, he would lock me up in a damn tower like a princess in a fairy tale.

"We're leaving," Father said, voice stern. "Now."

"No."

Everyone stared at me. My brothers-in-law were smiling. And even my sisters were beginning to.

"I won't stand for this behavior, Eva."

"I'm not ten years old anymore, Papa," I told him, jutting my chin out as I gave him a defiant look. "If you want me to leave, you're going to have to force me. In front of all these people," I added.

"You think I won't?" he asked, one brow arching in challenge.

"Louis."

"Stay out of this," he told Mother. "I've had enough of this, Tatiana." He turned back to me. "I said we're leaving, and we are."

"I'm not."

His hand came up and I flinched away. It wasn't until his arm was already swinging down that I realized he wasn't going to hit me. He grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me, ignoring the stares of the people around us. He was beyond his limit to act rationally and he was in protector mode. He wanted us out of here and away from everyone as quickly as possible.

I dug my heels in, scratching at his hand as he yanked at me. "I'm not going with you!" I hissed at him. I looked around for help and my heart sank when I realized Lockout and the others were busy with men I didn't recognize. It was a heated argument, by the looks of things, and unfortunately I was on my own. Clenching my jaw, I looked up into my father's face. "Please, let me go," I begged him. "Don't make me do this."

"Do what?" he asked, turning back to me.

I didn't hesitate. He was only pausing for a moment. Clenching my fist, I jabbed out and the shock ran through my whole arm as my fist connected with my father's face.

Gasps from behind me sounded as I scrambled out of his reach. He was holding his nose, staring at me in shock. "You just hit me."

"You weren't listening to me," I countered. The guilt was there. I remembered Mother's words from when we were younger. "We don't hit in this family. You will speak with each other and tell one another how you feel." Only Father refused to listen.

His eyes narrowed as he studied me. "I know you think I'm the worst parent right now," he told me, "but I'm trying to protect you."

"You're taking me from the man I love," I shot back. "He's the one who's going to protect me from now on, Papa."

"He's not good enough for you," he growled. He lunged toward me again, catching me around the wrist. "Stop this, right now," he ordered when I struggled against his hold.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

We all looked over as two men in black suits walked up. They were younger than Idaho, probably in their mid to late twenties, but I recognized that they had the same vibe that Idaho, Lockout, and the others had.

"You're going to let her go," the second one said, glaring at my father.

The first guy who spoke, nodded in agreement. He looked at me. "My name's Torque, Sweetheart. We're friends of Idaho's. Lock asked us to come give you a hand."

I shot the back of Lockout's head a grateful look. He wouldn't see it, but I couldn't resist. It didn't even look like he was paying any attention, yet he saw what was happening and had sent me help.

"Get away from us," Father ordered. "This isn't any of your business."

"Seems to me like the lady doesn't want to go with you," Torque pointed out. His blue eyes flashed with anger. "We don't like men who force women to do shit they don't want to, do we Cynic?"

"Nope," Cynic replied. They were both handsome, and though they had leaner builds it was obvious they were dangerous. Cynic had dark hair and stubble on his jaw while Torque was sandy-haired. Cynic met my gaze and held out a hand. "Come with us," he offered.

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