Page 30 of Something Borrowed

There is no chance in hell I am letting her go.

CHAPTER NINE

Verity

The security guards are waiting for me at the penthouse when I arrive home later that afternoon. I had a wonderful day with Red. I knew that by the time I got back here there would be extra press out about us so when my father is waiting at the front door to confront me with the same question he asked yesterday - this time I am honest about it.

“Where the fuck were you?” He snarls.

“With Rufino at the waterfront.” I say, tossing my purse onto the sofa and flopping down onto the soft pillows to prepare for the inevitable lecture that is about to ensue. I may as well get comfortable whilst waiting for it.

My father stands over me, looking down with that all too familiar expression of disapproval and disappointment on his face.

I hate that look.

I see it all the time.

It’s like when he looks at me he never seems me for who I am. He never seesme.Only what he wishes I was and all the things I’m not.

Hemakesme want to rebel just by giving me that look.

“I’ve given you more than enough chances to show me you can be a lady - or anything other than a defiant, reckless, selfish spoilt brat, Verity.”

“Jeez, calm down. I honestly think you’re overreacting a bit here.”

“Overreacting?” he screams. “Your face is all over the mediaagain. Right after I told you to break it off.”

“Daddy.”

“Don’t fuckingdaddyme. I don’t want to listen to it. This is over. You are not leaving the house.” He gestures towards the two security guards standing nearby. “You two - she is now on lockdown inside this house. She is not to leave under any circumstances. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir.” They reply in unison, nodding like obedient soldiers.

“Dad.”

He spins and points his finger at me, the snarl on his lip curving it up so high I can see his teeth. He’s beyond furious. This is not good. The red veins along his temple are popping blue now and it looks like he’s about to have a heart attack his eyes are so wild.

I press my lips together and swallow hard.

Say nothing, Verity. You are asking for more trouble. try to talk to him tomorrow, rather. Give him a chance to calm down and then you can smooth this over.

I sit still on the sofa, unsure about what I should do.

My father is still glaring at me.

I nod three short quick nods. A submissive gesture in his eyes.

With one last glare thrown in my direction he storms out of the living room.

I breathe a massive sigh of relief and grab my phone, running to my room and slamming the door.

He doesn’t really mean it. He wouldn’t lock me in this house.

I’ll wait a day or two and suss out his mood then I’ll be able to smooth this away like I always do.

I flop face first down onto my bed and groan into my pillow.

This whole thing is a mess.

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