Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Footsteps echo in the hallway, and Draven's scent filters into my room, bolstering my flagging spirits. Knowing he's nearby makes me feel secure and less defensive. I take a deep breath and smile. It's time to say goodbye.
"What about Todd?" Dad glares, his tone dark and menacing. A sheen of perspiration coats his brow. "I arranged everything with him, and you can't just walk away."
Uh-oh. Here comes the lecture.
"Todd? That's your dream, not mine, and besides, I hardly know him."
I hear a low growl coming from outside my room. My heart rate spikes, and my hands feel clammy. How long has Draven been listening?
"Dad! Wait. Be right back." Biting my cheek, I race to catch Draven and explain before he disappears with only half the story. I need to introduce them quickly to minimize the risk of hurting him further. My love is standing in the shadows, his nostrils flared, his back against the wall.
My heart clenches when I hold out my hand, beckoning him to take it. The warmth of his touch soothes me, making me feel as though I belong to something bigger than myself. I never understood what it felt like to belong before meeting him. He is the only man who accepts me without judgment, and I love him with all my heart.
"I'm sorry about my dad. He speaks without thinking, but why don't you come and meet him?"
Draven dips his head. "Of course I want to meet your father, Beauty. Lead the way." My heart! This man is everything. He has more dignity in his little finger than anyone I've ever met.
I beam with joy as we hold hands and saunter back in, pausing only to turn off the lights so Draven can see the screen.
"Dad, this is Draven Woodburn, the man I was telling you about." My joy is almost beyond my control. "Draven, this is my dad, Frank."
"Mr. Savage—"
The color drains from Draven's face, and I glance at the screen to see my father, nose wrinkled, his lips twisting cruelly. He's on his feet, a frosty look in his eyes as he stabs his pointer finger at the screen. "What the hell is that…thing?"
I gasp in shock, horrified by his behavior.
Draven squeezes my hand before letting go. "We probably needed to prepare him better."
"I'm sorry my love. I'll shut this down and come find you when I've dealt with him, okay?" I plead, lowering the screen so dad can't see. Draven nods, his expression blank, and I feel him withdrawing deep inside his shell. He exits swiftly without another word.
The horror of Draven's life comes crashing down around me. He faces this kind of prejudice all the time, and that's why he hides in the mansion. People fear what they don't understand. And that makes me angry.
"I knew you wouldn't understand," I sigh.
"I knew I couldn't trust you," Dad mutters. "You're useless. Can't get anything right." I tilt the screen up and glare at him, but it doesn't stop the torrent of abuse. "You ruin all my plans, same as your mother."
As he sputters insults, I run my hand through my hair but snap when he shakes his head in disgust. He's heartless and cruel, but the thing is, I've heard it all before, and I've had enough.
"Stop it! How could you be so rude to the man I love?" I don't recognize the power in my own voice, but I like it.
"You don't know what you're doing. He's not even a man!"
"He's more human than you've ever been. Besides, I'm a grown woman!"
"Like hell you are. Mark my words, Dahlia. That thing doesn't love you. You're going to mess this up, and I swear, I am not cleaning up your mess."
Ha! He only cares about himself or how my behavior reflects on him. How inconvenient I am.
"You know what? Nothing's a mess. You don't have to like it, but I know what I want, and I don't care what you think about him because he's mine."
Tears prick my eyes, but I'll be damned if I let him see me cry. "Bye, dad." I end the call before he has a chance to say anything else.
I'm too embarrassed to face Draven and need time to pull myself together. He didn't do anything wrong, and I refuse to bring any more negativity into his life. It feels as though the walls are closing in around me. I need air and space and need to get outside right away.
As I run to the door, Gretchen sweeps into the room, her face a mask of shock. Our eyes meet, but I tear my gaze away. With my heart burdened by the horror of dad's nasty words, I am unable to face her. She's too sweet, too kind. I can't share my pain with her. It isn't fair.