Page 22 of Mile High Daddy

“This isn’t up for debate, Lila,” he replies, his voice steady but cold. “It’s done.”

“Done?” I echo, my voice rising. My hands grip the counter tighter, as if it might ground me, but nothing feels real anymore. “You think you can just waltz into my life after years of silence and dictate who I marry? Are you insane?”

His jaw tightens, his eyes narrowing. “I’m doing what’s necessary.”

“Necessary?” I laugh bitterly, though it sounds more like a sob. “For who? Certainly not for me!”

“You don’t understand?—”

“You’re damn right I don’t understand!” I snap, cutting him off. “Because this isinsane!”

He steps closer, his voice lowering but losing none of its steel. “You’re my daughter, Lila. This is about protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” I scoff, my chest heaving. “By selling me off like some kind of pawn? Who even is this guy? Some…business associate of yours?”

Dad doesn’t answer immediately, his gaze flicking to the two men beside him. The silence stretches, heavy and suffocating, until finally he says, “It doesn’t matter who he is. What matters is that he can keep you safe.”

I freeze, his words hitting me like a slap. “Safe?” I repeat, my voice quieter now. “What are you talking about?”

His face softens just slightly, but there’s still an edge to his expression. “You’ve been out of my world for a long time, Lila. I’ve let you live your life, let you think you were free from all of this. But things have changed. There are threats—ones you don’t even know exist. This arrangement ensures your safety.”

And then it hits me, the realization like ice in my veins. “This has to do with your…business,doesn’t it?”

He doesn’t deny it.

My stomach churns, and I feel like I might be sick. “I can’t believe this,” I whisper. “You dragged me into whatever mess you’ve made, and now you’re using me to clean it up?”

“That’s enough,” he snaps, his voice sharp enough to make me flinch. “You’re my daughter, and you will do as you’re told.”

“No,” I say, my voice trembling but firm. “I won’t.”

For a moment, his expression falters, a flicker of something—regret, maybe—crossing his face. But it’s gone in an instant, replaced by the cold, unyielding mask he’s always worn.

“You don’t have a choice, Lila,” he says quietly, but the words cut deep. “It’s already been decided.”

My chest tightens, panic clawing at my throat. I push away from the counter, stumbling toward the door. My only thought is to get out.

“Lila,” Dad calls after me, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable warning.

I don’t stop. My fingers fumble for the handle, gripping it tightly. But before I can pull the door open, one of his men steps in front of me.

“Move,” I say, my voice shaking but loud enough to fill the silence.

The man doesn’t budge. He’s massive, his broad shoulders blocking the doorway like a human wall. His expression is cold, unreadable, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

“Lila,” Dad says again, his tone sharper this time. “Sit down.”

I whirl around to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. “No! You can’t keep me here!”

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” he says, his voice low and measured.

“This is kidnapping!” I yell, my voice rising with the desperation that’s starting to consume me.

Dad sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose like I’m a child throwing a tantrum. “You’re being dramatic.”

“Dramatic?” I laugh bitterly, my fists clenching at my sides. “You’re trying to force me into a marriage I didn’t agree to, and I’m dramatic?”

I reach for my phone in my pocket, my hands trembling as I press the power button. Nothing. The screen stays black, and the sinking realization hits me like a punch. My phone’s dead.

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