Page 92 of Daring the Defender

I nod, feeling both sadness and relief. “I’m sure there’s another girl out there, probably right here at Kingdom, that will make you a good wife and partner.”

I turn and walk back into the house, ready to tell my father to tear up the paperwork. He and Reverend Jones are no longer alone. My mother is there, along with David’s mother, Carol. They both look up at me when I walk in the room, but my mother grabs me by the arm and drags me into the hallway.

“I understand you’re having an extended tantrum, Shelby, but it’s time to get yourself in check. This is your future you’re talking about–and the future of Kingdom. David is–”

“Not my problem.”

“Excuse me?” She looks aghast.

“The engagement and wedding are off. I’ve broken up with David and returned the ring.”

“Do you know what you’ve done? How this will look?” She doesn’t give me a chance to reply. “It’ll seem like your father can’t manage his own daughter, or the members of his congregation.”

“It will look like he believes in free-will and is letting me choose my own path in life.” I cross my arms. “I don’t love David. I don’t think I ever did. This whole relationship was orchestrated by Daddy and Reverend Jones and was going to continue to be managed by them as well. That isn’t what I want.”

“Since when do you think you get what you want?” A flicker of pain flashes in her eyes. “That isn’t the role of a woman in this world.”

“Well, it’s going to be mine.”

“This is your brother’s fault,” she rants, twisting the argument. “I never should have let you stay out there with him. Living in a house with four men, allowing you to get a job– in a bar of all places. It’s unseemly and inappropriate for a woman your age! Especially when you’re promised to get married!” My mother is a small woman, but right now she feels a million feet tall. Her anger and disappointment making her larger than life. For once, I’m not scared.

“Stop blaming other people for my choices, Mother.” I want to scream in frustration, but I keep my temper in check. “That’s the whole problem here. No one cares what I have to say or think! The decision to go out there was mine, just like the decision to come home and deal with all of this was too. Axel–”

“Did someone say my name?

We both turn to the doorway where my brother stands, hair wild, tattoos and piercings on full display. His tone may be light, but the expression on his face is serious, that jaw locked tight.

I recover first. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to bust up an engagement party, but,” he looks between us, clocking the tension, “looks like I may be a little late.”

“Not funny,” my mother says, but she softens when she sees Axel. My mother may not approve of his lifestyle but he’s still her golden boy.

“Are you sure?” he asks, walking over and slings his arm around my shoulder. “So what did I miss?”

I look up at him, feeling steadier just having him nearby. I have a million questions, but they’ll have to wait. “Just the falling apart of the Rakestraw-Jones marriage agreement.”

He makes a disgusted face. “That sounds terrible.”

“Trust me, it was.”

“That’s enough,” my mother says, glaring at me. “I can’t believe you’re willing to ruin everything over an act of petty rebellion.”

“If that’s all you think this is, Mother, then I’ve got nothing else to say.”

She’s the one that storms out of the room, tossing her hands up in frustration. Axel and I are alone. I take the first deep breath since all of this started and look at him. “Did you really come back to blow up my engagement party?”

“It would’ve been fun.” He shrugs. “But you forgot something and I figured you may want it.”

“But you have a game this weekend! The big one.” I shake my head. “What could be so important that you came home right before the playoffs–” My jaw drops at the same time my heart surges up my throat. “You didn’t.”

“Up in your room.” He nudges me down the hall. “I’ll go distract the parents. Go.”

“And you’re okay with this?”

“As okay as I’m going to be with you dating anyone.” He worries the ring on his bottom lip. “I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but I know Reid’s a good guy. If you’re not serious about him, let him down easy, okay?”

I lunge at my brother and he catches me in those big, tattooed arms.

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