Page 28 of Treasured By 3

“Stay here.”

“What? Why?” I ask, still trying to follow him.

Lief arches an eyebrow at me as someone knocks on the door. “Please, Viper. Stay here.”

“Why can’t I know who it is?”

“It’s only going to upset you,” Lief kisses my forehead. “Let me handle this, okay?”

I go back to the kitchen, but I still hear Lief. “Sir, you are not welcome here.”

“My daughter is here, so I am allowed here. Let her go. I’ll ... I’ll pay you.”

No. No. My father can’t be here. He shouldn’t know where we live. He shouldn’t know anything about me. I made it clear how many months ago that I wanted nothing to do with him when I left him in the holding cell he was stuck in.

“Say something!” My father orders.

“You are not welcome here. You will not be coming in,” Lief’s voice is icy.

“Well, you can’t hold my daughter hostage under the guise of marrying her. I never gave my permission, so this entire thing is ... is not real,” my father argues.

I push my way toward Lief. He puts one big hand over the small of my back. I know if he doesn’t like it, he can pull me back into the house and slam the door. I narrow my eyes at my dad.

He sighs. “There you are. Let’s go home now, Val.”

“No,” I say.

“You don’t have to stay with them. I have a perfectly good-”

“I’m marrying them. It’s my choice. You don’t need to be consulted. You’re not welcome here. Stay away from me,” I order him.

“You’re out of your mind. They’re ... they’re holding you hostage, I know it,” Dad accuses.

“I’d leave before my other two men show up. They don’t have Lief’s patience,” I warn him.

“I’m not afraid of them,” Dad growls before trying to grab me.

Lief pulls me back. “It’s notthemyou should be afraid of. Leave the property before I call the police.”

“Call them. Go ahead. I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m bringing my daughter back home where she belongs,” my father insists.

I can’t believe this is the same man my mother can’t get enough of. He looks ragged, worn out. Lief takes out his phone. I give him the okay to call the police, but step up next to him. I can see the threat of violence in my fiancé’s eyes.

“Nothing in my life is your choice. You are a part of my past and that’s where you’re going to stay,” I warn my father. “I want that to be clear because once the police come and throw you in the back of their car, I’m going to file a restraining order against you.”

“But I’m your father,” he says, his jaw slackening.

“That doesn’t mean anything right now. I made it clear the last time I saw you that I never wanted to see you again. You violated that request. You’ve accused my fiancés of kidnapping me, and I’m not going to tolerate it,” I say.

“Hello, I need to have the police come to my house, please. We have a trespasser who is threatening my fiancée,” Lief says before giving the address.

My father looks at Lief, at me, then turns when he hears a car coming into the driveway. Hunter and Chase get out of the car. Lief wraps an arm around my waist. “The police will be here in five minutes. You can choose to leave with them or on your own.”

“This is your last chance to avoid the police,” I say. “I recommend taking it because it won’t be offered again.”

“I’m not afraid of the police,” my dad says, puffing his chest out.

“The police are the pleasant option,” Lief informs him. “Be happy I gave you two separate outs before throwing the worst case scenario at you.”

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