Page 112 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

I looked down at Dani and watched her smile effortlessly.

“Yes, it did. And I’d like to tell you both what’s been happening since Max and I started seeing each other. As soon as those scowls on your faces are gone, please.”

I looked over at her father and watched him turn his head away. Ever since we walked up and joined them in their booth, he had his lips pursed. His eyes wouldn’t meet mine. Her mother still hadn’t looked at me, but she certainly made sure to turn herself as far away from me as possible. It was clear I wasn’t welcome. But it was also clear that Dani wouldn't tolerate any of that.

“Dad?” she asked.

He licked his lips. “You can speak whenever you’re ready.”

Dani nodded. “Get rid of the scowl.”

Her mother jumped in. “I get that you want us t

o respect your decisions. And we’re trying. But you don’t get to dictate our facial expressions after jumping down our throats about setting expectations for you that you didn’t want to meet.”

I nodded. “That’s a good point. Dani?”

She sighed. “Fine. Okay. Yes, I--I completely get that.”

Her father nodded. “Thanks.”

Her mother leaned back against the booth cushion. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Dani nodded. “Thank you. But in the interest of time, I’d like to ask that you not interrupt and let me get through to the end before we start picking things apart. Can you do that?”

Her parents looked at one another and worry dripped over their faces. The scowls were gone, but in their places were questions and anxieties I knew we’d have to address before we left.

Everyone just keep a damn lid on it.

“All right, we can do that,” her mother said.

“Dad?”

He sighed. “Just get through it as quickly as you can.”

I had the great pleasure of sitting there and watching horror cross their faces as Dani recounted everything. The confrontation with my father. The chair. How she got tied to it. I watched anger rise in her father’s face until Dani told him about me jumping in after her in the pool. She walked them through our plan we concocted with the police department to get rid of everyone involved. Handcuffs, the S.W.A.T. vehicle. She left no stone unturned as she filled her parents in. Their tears broke my heart. The way they sat on the edge of their seats made me wonder if they’d actually get through the story before jumping in.

But, as Dani wound things down, they stayed true to their word.

“So, yeah,” she said as she leaned back, “that’s what happened. From beginning, to end. Benji’s in holding, for now. And once his father is discharged from the hospital, he’s going straight to jail. Probably until his trial starts. But even though they’re off the streets, the captain of S.W.A.T. has suggested that Max and I get out of town for a little while. Until the trial, just so things don’t kick up and get messy again.”

Her father blinked. “So, after all of this, the two of you are just leaving town?”

Dani looked up at me. “Yeah. We are. Just until things settle down. We’re going to be keeping in contact with--”

Her mother interjected. “What about your schooling? How in the world are you going to keep up with your classes?”

I licked my lips as Dani heaved a heavy sigh.

“I actually went to the dean’s office today and dropped out,” she said.

Her father’s voice reddened. “You what?”

I watched her mother put a hand in his lap to keep him from blowing his top. But I knew we were one stark revelation away from this place becoming yet another war zone. Her father drew in a deep, sobering breath. And me? Well, I wrapped my arm around Dani to keep her seated. Because I felt her growing more on edge, too.

“Danika, your education is very important,” he said.

She nodded. “And so is my sanity. It’s been a crazy few weeks. I need some time, and so does Max.”

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