Page 177 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“Not asking, Violet. Let me speak with him alone.”

“It’s okay, Violet. Give me a moment, sir,” Chris answered, standing up.

He took the phone from me and started moving. Before he could get to the bathroom door he stopped, turned back andkissed me hard, before he finally left, closing the door behind him.

I paced the room while waiting for Chris to return. I knew they might be a little apprehensive about us. With all my trauma, they were very protective of me. But, I didn’t expect to hear the coldness with which Dad reacted to the news. I hadn’t even gotten a chance to mention that we wanted to become chosen mates.

I continued pacing, working myself up into fighting mode, as I imagined every possibility of what would happen when Chris walked back through the door. What would he say if Dad opposed? Would he fight for us like he promised or would he give up on us again?

It was maybe twenty minutes later when I heard the door to Chris’ old room open. Hell, if he gave up on us, I was going to have to sleep alone again. The thought had me fisting my hands, ready for a fight.

“He wants to talk to you.” Chris’ voice was lacking any kind of emotion and my heart sank.

He stretched his hand to pass the phone, and I took it, but when he tried to lower the arm back to his side, I grabbed onto it, dragging him to the bed and making him sit. I put the phone back on speakerphone while I remained standing.

“Violet?”

“I’m here, Dad,” I answered.

“Listen—”

“No, you listen,” I interrupted him. “When I told you I was dating Chris, it wasn’t so you could do an inquisition.”

Chris’ eyes almost bugged out his head at my words, and he tried to grab my arm, but I moved out of his reach. I wasn’t done.

“I was informing you. I wasn’t asking for permission on what to do with my life. I’m a grown woman. I love you and Mom, but I will fight you tooth and nail on this. I’m in love with Chris, andI want to take him as my chosen mate. No one else figures into that decision. Only the two of us.”

Chris’ jaw dropped, and he froze on the bed as he listened to me standing up to my parents.

“What about your second-chance mate out there?” Mom asked.

“Only Chris and I figure into this. Only he and I matter, not a potential mate out in the world. I waited for a mate once. I’m done leaving my life in the hands of everyone else but me.”

“So, what we think doesn’t matter to you?” Dad asked.

“It matters a lot, but at the end of the day, I’m the one that's gotta live my life. I hope I have your blessing, I really do, but the only blessing I need to have is Chris’.” There was silence on the other side of the line for a moment.

“Are you done?”

“Yes, sir,” I answered meekly, beginning to lose the adrenaline I worked up in my system, and feeling my body starting to shake. I’d never spoken to my parents like this before.

“Well, what we were going to say before you so epically defended your love from your ogre of a dad, is that we’re very happy, and proud of you, kiddo. If this is what you want— if Chris makes you happy— then, we’re happy,” Dad’s voice held warmth once again, and I dared say a bit of amusement and pride.

“Oh,” was all I could say, feeling my face heat up.

“But, it’s nice to know you feel so strongly, Vi. That was awesome,” Mom giggled, making Chris and Dad laugh.

“But, you sounded so angry,” I argued weakly in my defense.

Chris pulled me onto his lap, his arms surrounding me, making me relax and feel a little bit better.

“I needed to. You’re my little girl. One of my princesses. I will always do what I can to protect you. I had to figure out ifChris was serious about you or not,” Dad explained in a bit of a sheepish voice.

“As serious as taxes, sir,” Chris answered, making Mom and I giggle.

“I do have one request, though,” Dad continued.

“What’s that?”

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