Page 107 of Idaho

Father frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If you keep this shit up Eva will never speak to you, or your family, again."

Gasps from my mother and sisters filled the silence as my father thought about Idaho's statement.

"You'd keep her from us?" Mother asked, worry laced through every word.

"No Mother, I would be the one to cut you off," I interjected.

"And that will be the least of your worries," he promised my parents. "I'll hold true to what I told you yesterday, too."

The first cracks of uncertainty formed in my father's tough exterior. His eyes flashed to me, then studied the men standing next to me. "You really want to stay here, Eva?"

"I love him, Papa," I replied. "I want to stay with him."

Father sat back, interlacing his fingers over his stomach. He heaved a heavy sigh. He was looking down at the desk, but speaking to me. "I've only ever tried to keep you safe. And happy." His lips twisted in a rueful smile. "Though I never really excelled at that. What made the others happy and content never mattered to you, Eva." When he looked up again there was love and resignation in his eyes. He gave me a single nod.

He turned back to Idaho. "You'll keep her safe?"

"Even if I died protecting her, my brothers would always see to her safety," Idaho vowed. Cynic and Torque's comforting presence next to me were a testament to his words.

I looked over and found Thomas smiling at me. He gave me a quick thumbs up, then pretended like it never happened when one of the other guards looked his way. It was hard to hide my smile. To keep the happiness locked up. I didn't want to rub the loss in Father's face. I didn't want to make this harder on Mother, who looked devastated at the idea of leaving me here while the rest of the family went home.

But I couldn't deny that I wanted this more than anything. I wanted to stay with Idaho and be part of his life.

"What about my country?" Father asked him.

"I'll continue to work with Harold. That deal is already completed, but I won't move forward on any other plans."

Father nodded. "I request that you allow us time alone with Eva. To say goodbye properly."

Idaho nodded. "That's fine."

"And if I ever find out that you're mistreating her," Father warned, "I will come back and destroy everything you hold dear."

"To do that would mean destroying your own daughter," Idaho replied, face emotionless. "You'll never have cause to come after me. You're welcome to come visit anytime, however. I have plenty of room at my home for you to stay."

Father's brows rose, but he didn't respond right away. He seemed to be thinking over everything. Finally, he stood up and held out his hand. They shook hands and I let out a sigh of relief. My family was leaving and I wasn't going with them. It was bittersweet, but I knew it was the right choice for me.

"We have some...business...to finish up downstairs," Idaho told Father. "You have until then to say your goodbyes." He looked over at Thomas and my friend nodded in understanding at whatever Idaho was asking for. The two men seemed to understand one another.

I waited as Idaho and his friends left the room, leaving me with my family and our bodyguards. As soon as the door shut behind them, Mother rushed forward and pulled me into her arms. She was sobbing quietly against my neck.

"I'm going to miss you, Mama," I said, hugging her back. Now that I was getting what I wanted, the anger I had for them washed away. I was left with sadness and guilt for hurting my parents this way. "I'm sorry it has to be like this."

She pulled back and cupped my face in her hands, staring down at me intently. "You have nothing to be sorry about, Eva. You're an adult now. It's time for us to let you make your own choices." Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she smiled through them. "And if you choose this man, then I know you'll be happy."

Father cleared his throat. "I need to say goodbye to Tatiana," he said, voice gruff.

Mother nodded, giving me one more hug before stepping back so Father could take her place. I stared up at the face I knew so well, tears clogging my throat. "I'm sorry I hit you."

He paused, rubbing at his nose, then a smile bloomed on his face. "I don't know where you learned to throw a punch, but I feel better knowing you have the capability of taking care of yourself. Not that you'll ever have to with your young man around," Father replied.

I shared a quick look with Thomas—he'd taught me to throw a proper punch when I was eight years old and Milly Maynard was harassing me—then focused on Father again. "This is what I want, Papa. What I need."

He sighed. "I'm beginning to realize that. I know my rules made you feel...imprisoned. It was the only way I knew how to keep you safe. But I refuse to lose you," he added. "If this is what it takes for you to be happy, I give you my blessing."

I threw myself at him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, Papa."

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