Page 91 of Daring the Defender

David blinks, but his expression is innocent. Confused. He looks to our fathers for assistance. I lean across the table and grab his face.

“Shelby!” my father exclaims.

“David, did you know about this?”

“I, uh, um…” he stammers.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Did you know or not?”

“That’s enough,” my father roars, his patience and good demeanor worn thin. “That language will not be tolerated.”

“Well, neither will this bullshit!” I snatch the papers off the table and back away as I start reading a section aloud.

“Must live within five miles of Kingdom on approved property.

Must be involved with the church five days a week.

All income and resources must be reported to the business manager of Kingdom.

All future children…”

I stop reading and glare at my father. “You’re insane.”

“No,” my father says, his voice back under control. “I’m being pragmatic. With your brother having fled to live a life of sin and blasphemy, you and David will be the ones to inherit the Kingdom. I’m not just protecting your relationship, but my legacy. I’m aware that you’ve been on a rebellious streak, but it’s time for that to end. Let’s talk about this rationally.”

“There’s nothing rational about any of this!” Something tight in my chest unfurls. “I am an adult. You don’t get to sign anything for me. You don’t get to choose my husband, or where I live, or how many children I have.”

The anxiety that has been building fades out entirely, turning into something else entirely: rage.

“David,” Reverend Jones says, his voice obnoxiously calm, “why don’t you take Shelby outside for some air. You two talk for a moment.”

“Yes,” I say, grabbing David by the arm, “I’ll go outside with David, but not because anyone told me to, but because we need to talk.”

David still hasn’t spoken, but he doesn’t fight me as I drag him past the table and out the French doors onto the patio. Inside, I can see our fathers trying to figure out what just happened, but I know exactly what just took place.

“What happened to you at Wittmore?”

I spin around and face David and finally take him in. He’s still tall, cute, in those pressed khaki pants and blue sweater that brings out his eyes. He looks both confused and annoyed.

“I guess I had a chance to experience life a little.” I try to make my voice firm. “And I realized that this isn’t what I want.”

“This,” he repeats carefully.

“Yes. You. Marriage at barely twenty-years-old. A house next door to my father. A lifetime of servitude to him, you and Kingdom.”

“This is your brother isn’t it?” he asks skeptically, as though none of those thoughts could be my own. “He got in your head.”

“Actually no,” I can’t help but laugh. “Axel is overprotective and a pain in the ass. He loves me, but he’d keep me in a bubble if he could.”

“I know it was moving a little fast, but you know how our mom’s are. We could probably get them to hold it off for a while.” He takes a step toward me. “We’re good together, Shelby. We could have a good life.”

Good, sure. Boring, definitely. And it may not be fair, but there’s no chance I could settle for a man like David after having a man like Reid Wilder.

Other than sending me flowers, which I can’t be sure my parents didn’t pick out, David hasn’t even tried to fight for us. Forme.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I didn’t ever want to hurt you, and I don’t think you’re a bad guy just…” Weak. He’s so freaking weak. I can’t build a life with a man who doesn’t know what he wants and how to take it. I slide my hand into the pocket of the dress and pull out the ring. “Here.”

He takes the ring and frowns down at it. “You’re serious about this?”

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