Page 93 of Untamed

“You don’t fucking tell me what to do with my own daughter. Now leave before I call the sheriff. This is your last warning, Grady.”

I can see it. The way his body coils tight, resisting the urge to pull me from my dad’s grasp.

“Dad,” Maverick warns.

But my father doesn’t back down. “No. I will not have this undeserving low life anywhere near Mila.”

I flinch at the malice in his tone, my heart lurching as I look at Colter. He doesn’t react and to anyone else he looks unaffected by my dad’s words. But I know him. The words hit their intended mark. And they cut deep.

Colter swallows, his mask cracking. The vulnerability in his green eyes nearly brings me to my knees. “I just want to talk to her. Make sure she’s okay.”

“No,” my father shouts, yanking me closer.

His fingers dig into my flesh, and I wince. My face twists in pain, and Colter takes a step forward, his body tense. I shake my head, silently begging him to stop.

“You’re hurting her,” he hisses, his voice full of warning.

“Fuck off,” my father snaps back, his grip tightening. “Maverick, call the local sheriff, tell him we have a situation with a felon.”

My stomach drops, nausea churning in my gut. No. This cannot happen. I will not let Colter get into trouble because of me.

“Just go, Colter.” I whisper, panicked, desperate.

Hurt flashes Colter’s eyes and my chest cracks open. He’s never looked more vulnerable, silently begging me to choose him. He once told me, no one had ever chosen him, not even his own parents. That’s why he kept to himself.No expectations, no disappointments,he had said. And now, here he is, putting himself out there, risking everything for me.

I should go to him, but I know it’ll only make things worse. Still, after everything, how can I stand here and let him believe I wouldn’t choose him?

I take a step forward only to be yanked back.

“You’ll get in the SUV, Mila.” Dad growls. But beneath his fury, I hear it—the fear.

I don’t want to defy my father, but I can’t ignore what I feel. I can’t let Colter walk away believing that I wouldn’t fight for him. If there was ever a time to be brave, to stand up to my father, it’s now.

“I love him,” I whisper, my breath hitching with the truth.

My father scoffs. “You don’t know what love is. He’s manipulated a young girl. Jesus Christ, can’t you see what he’s doing? He is a thirty-year-old ex-con, Mila. He’s not worthy of you. He groomed you.”

The word slams into me and I nearly throw up.

I shake my head, appalled. Groomed?

Is he for serious?

There are young people in this world who have been manipulated in horrifying, predatory ways. But I’m not one of them.

“No,” I snap, yanking my arm out of his grasp. I turn to face him. “You’ve always wanted the best for me, and I love you for that,” I say, my voice tight with emotion. “But I will not stand here and listen to you talk about Colter this way. He’s a good man. Deep down you know that.” Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I continue, “I love him, Dad. I know you don’t believe that. I know you think I’m too young to understand what love is. But you’re wrong. This is my life. My choices. And you have to let me make them.” My father scoffs but I don’t let it deter me. “You might not approve of this relationship, but it’s not for you to decided. Colter loves me. Yes, he has a past, but it doesn’t define him.” I shake my head, as disappointment weighsme down. “Your judgment and hate toward him is something I never thought I’d see from you. You’re my hero, Dad. A fair man. Someone who always saw the best in people…or so I thought.” His jaw clenches, and I can tell my words are hitting him.

“We never set out to hurt you. And I’m sorry that this isn’t what you wanted for me. But you need to trust I know what’s best for me. And that’s Colter.” I take a deep breath. “If you could get past your rage, you’d see that. You’d see that he loves me, too.” I shake my head, suddenly feeling weary. “I’m going to talk to Colter.” Dad opens his mouth ready to protest but I don’t let him. “And when I come back, I hope you’ll have calmed down enough to have a civilized conversation with me.”

Without waiting for his response, I turn to Colter. His face softens as he watches me, relief flashing in his green eyes. He never expected this, that much is obvious. He thought I’d listen to my father and get in the SUV.

But in that moment, I know without a doubt that I made the right decision.

It’s as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and for the first time in my life I feel free.

Bu then my dad speaks again, and something inside me cracks.

“If you leave now, you can find your own way back to Montana. But you won’t be welcome. Not if you choose him.”

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