Page 11 of Stone
“As I told you before. He’s not good enough for you. Search the vehicle, Officers,” he told the cops.
“For what?” I demanded.
“Yeah, Daddy. What are you trying to do?” Dani folded her arms and walked closer to her father. I’d never seen her so angry around him and I had to admit I was kind of proud of her.
“Trying to protect my daughter since she obviously has poor taste and can’t look out for herself.”
“Daddy!”
“It’s okay, Dani. I’m used to it.” Sadly, I was. He’d hassled me as much as he had my father, as if our bloodline was tainted. I had no idea why, my dad refusing to talk about it.
Bradford walked closer and I could swear he was trying to goad me into punching him. He had no idea how much I wanted to, but he wasn’t worth it. Not losing my career. Not possibly spending time in jail. Or losing Dani over my need for violence.
“Go to my car, Daniella,” he told her.
“Daddy, no.”
“I said,” he growled. “Get your things and go. To. My. Car. Now.”
She was shocked, turning toward me. “He’s leaving tomorrow morning, Daddy. I need time to say goodbye.”
“You’ve had plenty of time. Too much time if you ask me. Now, do as I say.”
She was eighteen, but still lived under his roof. I knew how difficult our relationship had been for her since her dad hatedme so much. I just couldn’t figure out why. Other than that I was in a different financial class.
“I love you, Stone. Call me.”
We’d already made plans for her to come to the parking lot where I’d leave on a bus. At least we’d have a few more minutes together before I left.
“Don’t worry. I will.” I gave her a slight smile while the fuckers rifled through my truck. So help me God, if they dared plant anything, I’d… Hell, I had no clue what I’d do. What money did I have for getting an attorney?
Her father waited while she walked away, even watching to make certain she didn’t double back before exhaling. “Son, I thought I made myself very clear during our last conversation that you were to leave my daughter alone.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Vale, your daughter is eighteen and entitled to make her own decisions.”
His chuckle was infuriating. “My daughter is a very intelligent girl, Stone, but she can’t made decent decisions for herself. To want to be in a relationship with nothing more than trailer trash is beyond me.”
Trailer trash. I opened my mouth, ready to spew off some shit, but knew that’s what he was looking for. I thought about my mother and how proud she was I’d graduated from college with honors and was headed into the Navy. It would kill her if I ruined my opportunity.
When I didn’t take the bait, he laughed.
“The fact your father should be rotting away in prison doesn’t seem to deter her. Now, fortunately, you’ve done us both a favorby joining the military. Who knows. Maybe one day you’ll make something of yourself.”
That was it. I reared back, the thought of breaking the fucker’s neck all that was on my mind. He could say anything he wanted about me, but not my parents. Bradford didn’t move. The fucker even had a grin on his face.
“I think I found something,” one of the officers said from behind me.
My God. I stopped short, half laughing. “I’ll give you credit, Mr. Vale. You’re damn good at framing someone. I’m curious if that’s how you’ve advanced in your career. You and I both know the officers found nothing in my truck. Not a damn thing. You just want me out of your daughter’s life.”
“Yes, I do, but you don’t seem to want to go willingly. I thought a little reminder of just how different and difficult your life could be was necessary.”
“I’m leaving in the morning to serve my country, something I’d certain you never had the guts to do. I’ll be out of your daughter’s life.”
“Then I don’t think we have an issue here.” He waved off the officers. The fucker had won. Again.
Soon, she’d be halfway across the world and he couldn’t control her any longer.
“What do you have against my dad?”
