Page 45 of Saved By the Marines (Soldiers Of Misfortune)

“I’m leaving.”

His eyes narrowed on me. “The hell you are.”

“The fuck I’m not,” I countered. Later, I’d be so proud of myself that my voice rang out clear and calm. It didn’t shudder, giving away the turmoil raging inside of me while I stood up to him. “I’m leaving, Dad, and I’m not coming back unless you change…well everything. You’ve always treated me like shit.”

His mouth opened to argue, but I beat him to it, continuing on. “I got kidnapped and you didn’t really seem to care!” My hands found my hips as my fury began rolling like a snowball out of control down a hill, gaining speed and size as it went. “You barely acknowledged me once I got back, other than to point out you’d still need me to show up to your stupid events.”

“Bailey Marie Michaels,” he boomed, but I was too far gone.

“No, Dad.” His jaw clenched, but he paused. “I’m done. I’m not helping you with your campaign. If you want to continue to have a daughter you’re going to have to quit treating me like some hired hand that can help you win your election.”

“It’s not safe to go back to your apartment. Just because Coleman is under arrest doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be careful,” he pointed out, sounding smug.

“She’s not going back there,” Wolfe told him.

Dad’s eyes flashed to him and it was his turn to look truly furious. “If you think I’m going to let her shack up with some fucking Marines, you’re wrong.” His eyes flicked to me, anger firing in his gaze. “If you think I’m going to let you embarrass me like this and destroy my reputation-”

“There’s nothing you can do, Dad. Wolfe, Jas, and Kip are my boyfriends.”

It was liked I’d dropped a bomb on the room and once the deafening sound of the weapon had dissipated it left behind eerie silence. Then all hell broke loose.

Dad grabbed my arm, yanking me toward him. I didn’t cry out even though I knew he’d bruised me with his grip. “If you think I’m going to let you embarrass me and disgrace this family you have another thing coming. I’ll fucking destroy them before I let this happen.”

My eyes widened as Dad stumbled back a few feet while I was yanked back into Kip’s comforting hold. Jasper had shoved my father and he and Wolfe had closed ranks in front of me, Kip, and Amy.

“If you think we give a fuck about who you are or what you think you can do, you’re the one who’s mistaken,” Jasper snarled at him. Then he shook his head. “Too fucking fancy for me.” His voice lowered into an even more menacing growl. “Bailey’s coming with us and if you try to stop us, I’ll end you, you piece of shit.”

“You’ll never touch her again,” Wolfe added. “We don’t let little bitches touch what belongs to us.” Despite all the anger I had right now, a little part of me swooned when Wolfe saidbelongs to us.This was real, it was happening. I was theirs and they were mine.

Kip started ushering me toward the door. Even though this was what I wanted, my heart cracked a little. It was an old wound that Dad had systematically created throughout the years of neglect.

My breath shuddered as I tried to hold back my tears. He didn’t deserve them. Amy wrapped her arms around me and I leaned into her as the three men I’d just claimed as my own climbed inside the SUV. It was the one we’d taken from the airport and I’d never asked whether it was theirs, or Dad’s. It didn’t really matter.

As we pulled down the drive, I turned and looked through the back window. He hadn’t even bothered to step out onto the porch to watch us leave. It was pretty much what I’d come to expect from him.

A mile or so down the road, Wolfe pulled out his cell and made a call. The line rang over the Bluetooth, echoing through the silence of the vehicle.

“Wolfe.”

“Hey. Heard you’re stateside now.”

“We just landed yesterday,” the man confirmed. “What do you need?”

“Meet at our house. We need a favor.”

“See you soon, Buddy.”

The connection cut out and I shook my head in confusion. The way these guys—my men—had conversations without ever saying anything was a mystery to me.

“I am so proud of you.”

I looked up at Amy and gave her a wan smile. “I told you I wasn’t taking shit anymore.”

“So you did,” she said with a laugh. “I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you really cuss. And telling your Dad that you’re dating all three of these guys?” Her eyes sparkled as she continued to laugh. “I would have paid good money to see that, but I got that show for free.” She lowered her voice, her eyes darting to Kip, who was sitting in the back seat with us. “Are you really?”

“As of now,” I confirmed and a giggle poured out from my chest. I slapped a hand over my mouth. I wasn’t a giggler, but everything was catching up to me. Ted and his asshole friends bursting in on us. Me telling Dad off. The guys having my back and getting me out of there. My nerves were shot and I was so glad Amy was there.

We eventually stopped laughing and sat quietly, companionably resting against each other. “What’s the plan?” I asked.

---