Page 104 of Inside the Wicked

“I’m right here, always.”

I wish that were true. That he was right here beside me and would go with me to face my dad. What tears me apart is that he’s the reason I keep stretching myself from my parents when I told myself I’d start to mend my relationship with them as soon as I got Rhett back. Now I might be even more bitter and resentful toward my dad formakingme do this even though he doesn’t know it.

When the car stops, it’s the first time I realize the one cop car that pursued me has multiplied to four. The officers flood out of them, all pointing guns at the car, and I’m terrified. I know it’s not for me—it’s a precaution in case there’s anyone else in here making me do this.

“I love you, Ana.”

“I love you too.”

The call cuts out. I know he’ll be hacking my phone right now, erasing all trace of him, and my heart cracks more.

I get out, holding my hands up, and a cop beckons me to him cautiously.

“Is there anyone else in the car, Miss Kinsley?” an older man asks.

“No.”

Once they’re finished checking, they put their weapons away.

“Sergeant, we’ve to take her to the White House in an unmarked vehicle, and your team needs to be warned about any mention of Anastasia being leaked to the press.” A woman in a business suit comes over to us.

Most of the officers look pissed as hell at me. I give no reaction. It’s human nature to judge on actions, and rarely will anyone be curious enough to know the reasons before they condemn someone.

I follow the woman into the back of her car, and I stay silent despite them pressing me for answers.Why did you do it? Is someone threatening you? Whose car is it?

Shit, Rix is going to be so pissed with me. I hope I can get the car back since I’m confident he’s made sure it’s untraceable to him.

I’m flanked by three security to enter the White House. It seems ridiculous, but I won’t allow this to feel like a cage. They lead me to a large lounge room, where my mom sits on the elegant sofa while my dad paces at the window. When Mom spots me she whimpers, rushing over and pulling me into a hug as if I was presumed dead until now.

I meet eyes with my dad over her shoulder and it’s like we’re estranged. He’s absolutely furious in a way I’ve never seen before, and right now I don’t think I’m his daughter. I’m a law-breaker, a rebellious delinquent, a coldhearted bitch.

“What were you thinking?” he asks in a controlled calm as I step away from Mom.

“That I wouldn’t be dragged here to be locked inside a golden cage.”

Dad laughs, so far from friendly. “There will be nothing golden about it, I assure you.”

My temper begins to flare. “I’m not staying here. Not for one night.”

“You’re out of control. Ever since the death of thatdamncriminal.” He yells the last word, and my jaw locks.

“Rhett was never the danger to me—he’s the one who saved me from it.”

“You let him brainwash you, darling.”

“Victor Ross,” I snap. Dad stops pacing. “Did you look into him like you did Rhett? Of course not, because then you might have found out youdidplace a criminal by my side. That he spent his salary fromguardingme on raping trafficked woman.”

Mom covers her mouth with a small gasp.

Dad shakes his head, and inside me everything twists with ugly, agonizing, hatred. Because I can see he doesn’t believe me. Doesn’twantto believe me, he’s so set on Rhett being the one whobrokeme. Who took away his perfectly quiet, afraid, and sheltered little girl.

He won’t accept that Rhett is the only reason I’m free from an existence that was killing me inside.

“This isn’t you,” he says, disappointment coating his tone.

“Because you never wanted toknow me!” I cry. It breaks the seal on a vault I didn’t know I was locked in. I love my dad—god,I do—but the truth I’ve buried comes clawing out. “You’ve always been so focused on work and image that you wanted me to be picture-perfect. School, press, hosting, appealing, campaigning. Sometimes it’s like you’ve only ever seen a prop, and now I’m not putting onyourshow, it’s a shock to see what becomes of my independence. I’m not sorry I’m not your innocent little girl anymore. I’m not sorry for wanting to live mylife. And most of all, I’m not sorry I fell in love with the only person toseeme. To say he’s proud of me. To steer me toward whatIwant.”

Mom is crying, and I hate to see her hurt, wish I could comfort her, but I’m shaking too much with anger as I stare off with Dad.

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