Page 20 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

I snickered. “Please don’t forget that at any point in time, I can have you removed and bring him back in. Don’t make me do that.”

His eyes narrowed. “Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”

I shrugged. “Maybe your daughter is sick and tired of the helicopter parenting tactics you employ.”

Mom placed her hand on my shin. “Sweetheart, we’re only here because we’re worried. Try to be patient with us. I mean, look at you. You're in the hospital. We have a right, as your parents, to be worried.”

Dad practically spat on me. “What in the world has gotten into you? First, Hannah calls us up rattling on about how you’ve gotten yourself into trouble. How’s she’s worried about you. You’re falling behind on papers and assignments in your classes. Then you’re dodging our--”

I held up my hand. “Wait, wait, wait, wait. How do you know anything about my school assignments?”

Dad held his head high. “Of course I know. I’ve got connections within some of the departments.”

I blinked. “That’s illegal. My grades are none of your concern unless I have them released to you.”

Mom patted my leg. “All of that paperwork you signed your freshman year enabled us to view that information, honey.”

I felt my eyes widening. “Are you fucking kid--!?”

Dad leaned over me. “What did you just say?”

I closed my eyes. I needed to gain control of this situation. I was tired of all this bullshit. Of people feeling they could control me. Use me. Direct me in whatever fashion they deemed suitable for my life. This was my life. And they had no reason to do all of the shit they were doing.

I wanted more time with Max. I wanted him instead of them. I needed space from all of this. I needed…

I don’t know what I need.

But I knew it wasn’t this.

I always feel stronger with him around. “I wish Max was still here.”

Dad scoffed. “Has he brainwashed you?”

Mom gasped. “Peter! Are you kidding me right now?”

“Answer me, Dani. What has that man done to you? Did he do this to you? Did he put you in this hospital bed?”

I drew in a deep breath. “No, Dad. He didn’t. He saved me. And my answer won’t change just because you want it to. Max is the man I’ve been seeing, and I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you sooner. I was waiting for the right time to tell--”

Dad snickered. “Does now look like the right time, Danika?”

I blinked up at him as I leaned back against my pillows. I loved Max. There was no reason to hold that back from anyone. That was my truth. That was my reality. And I had no issues telling anyone who came into contact with me.

But, my father really needed to back off.

“No, Dad. Ideally, I would have told you the next time I made the drive home. Probably over Thanksgiving break. And, ideally, you’d give him a chance before you wrote him off entirely.”

My father’s face reddened. “Danika, you put yourself in an incredible amount of danger by being with this man. Why on earth would you think being with someone like him is a good idea? He almost got you killed!”

I sighed. “Is that what Hannah told you? Because that's not the truth.”

Mom clicked her tongue. “Then just tell us the truth, sweetie.”

I threw my hands in the air. “I am, Mom! I am telling you the truth! This isn’t Max’s fault. And even if I wanted to tell you the entire situation, you wouldn't understand. It’s complicated, but the only thing you guys need to know--”

Dad gripped the railing of my bed. “You will tell us every detail of what happened last night before I call the police and have them drag it out of you.”

“Peter!”

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