Page 87 of Break

I hold my hand to block the sunlight from my eyes as I hold the door for Mina and my friends to follow through.

I won’t lie. Seeing that fire in here was a goddamn turn on and I’m fucking pumped to take her out tonight. Mina drunk? I bet she’s going to be a riot and I’m so here for it.

“WilhelminaJoyce.” My head jerks to the side when I hear Mina’s name snapped into the air like a shot’s been fired.

Christ.

It’s her fucking father. Mr. Bardot.

Wracking my memory, I don’t recall if I’ve ever learned what his first name is. It pisses me off that if I want to address him, my first habit is to drop the ‘Mister’ in front.

“John,” Ethan bites out, addressing him for all of us.

Shooting a quick look at my friend, I lean in and whisper, “How’d you know his first name?”

He exhales heavily and a muscle in his jaw pops in irritation at my question.Right, not the time.

John Bardot looks Ethan up and down before he responds, huffing like he’s not surprised about something.

I know I shouldn’t do it, but when Mina cringes next to me, I place my hand on her upper back, willing her to feel my support deep into her bones. There’s a small tremble rolling through her and I internally curse that he’s here. He’s fucking up the fire and spirit she gained not even fifteen minutes ago.

“Da-” John narrows his eyes at her, and I can actually hear her gulp back her nerves. “F-father. What are you doing here?”

Jesus, she’s not even allowed to call him dad?

“Well,Wilhelmina. I’ve been hearing some incredibly disturbing things over the past week and you haven’t returned either of my phone calls. That’s incredibly rude of you.” He’s speaking to her like she’s a child, and seems aggravated that he has to waste his time coming to speak to her in person.

Mina clasps her hands in front of her, winding her fingers together until they look like they’re about to break in half. My mind doesn’t register what I’m doing until I’ve got a hand wrapped around hers, giving her a tight squeeze to let her know she can relax. We’re here with her and anything this man has to say doesn’t change a damn thing. At least, I hope that’s what she’s interpreting from my gesture.

John’s eyes narrow to where we’re joined, then he flicks his eyes over to Ethan, then Max, trying to process what he’s seeing.Good luck there, fucker. We don’t know either, but we certainly have ideas.

Max steps toward Mina’s father, holding his hand out. I know it’s killing him to be kind, but maybe if we can calm him down with some of thispolitenesshe deems as so important, he’ll relax a bit with our girl. “I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m Max Bennett. We used to hang around a lot next door when we were all kids.”

John eyes his hand but doesn’t offer up his own. “Yes. I remember the three of you.” Nodding his head toward Ethan, he adds, “This one’s certainly changed.”

“Father!” Mina says, louder than would have expected her to. “That’s… well, that’s an incredibly un-unkind thing to-to-”

Sighing loudly, he waves off his words, waves off Mina and her attempt to defend Ethan. “Yes, I apologize. It doesn’t matter because that’s not why I’m here. You and I need to speak, girl. Come with me,” he orders, turning like he just expects her to follow. I can feel Mina physically fight her body to not follow him, her natural response of needing to obey causing a war within her.

“No.” Ethan’s not going to play around and he’s not going to give this fucker anything more than single-worded responses. Especially not after everything that Mina shared with us, the abuse she suffered at this man’s hands.

John stops dead, then turns slowly to face the four of us. His face is red, but I’m impressed at his ability to restrain himself when his words come out low and controlled. “Excuse me, Mr. Riley, but what I need to discuss isn’t any of your business. It’s not any of theirs either,” he says, nodding toward me and Max.

“Father,” Mina calls to him. He doesn’t turn away from Ethan, but his eyes find hers. “I-I’m not going to leave with you. These men are helping me and it’s n-not safe for me to be on my own… not right now…” Her voice trails off, but she doesn’t look like she regrets her words.

“Fine. You want them to hear what I have to say? That’ll be your embarrassment to carry, because you’ve certainly thrust a lot of it on our shoulders, haven’t you?”

Mina’s head jerks back at the verbal slap, and I can feel her hands behind to tremble again. Threading my fingers with hers, I tug her a bit to help ground her. “I’ve done no such thing. I’ve done nothing except take steps to protect myself.”

He scoffs and I fight the urge to charge him.This fucker needs to be throttled.“Really, Wilhelmina? Explain to me how abandoning your home, yourhusband, isn’t an embarrassment? How about shacking up with three unattached men, some with questionable history,” he directs that comment to Max, who stiffens. Then barrels on with, “All as a married woman whom God witnessed at her union?”

Mina’s mouth drops open, but he doesn’t let her speak.

“I’ve bitten my tongue long enough, stepping back and allowing you to take hold of your life and live it the way I’ve raised you. But you’ve shirked your responsibilities and you’ve let me down in a most grievous way. I’m ashamed of your behavior. You’re a damn disappointment in my eyes and inGod’seyes.”

“Hold the fucking phone,” I snap out, finally unable to keep silent as this worthless piece of shit who calls himself a father, spits out accusations and insults at this woman. She’s a fuckingsweetheartand doesn’t deserve this. Mina never has.

John shoots a glare in my direction, attempting to intimidate me. “You need to keep your mouth shut. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. This has nothing to do with you, and you’ll stay silent while I speak tomydaughter.”

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