Page 3 of I Don't Need Your Protection
There’s no mistaking the tremor in his voice. It’s very subtle—maybe most people wouldn’t pick up on it—but considering I’m scrutinizing every little detail about this man, I definitely notice it. It’s obvious he loved his wife very much and is deeply saddened by her death.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Never mind that.” He leans back in his seat and focuses on me. “I suspect you have many questions. From what I gather, you weren’t aware of my existence until yesterday.”
I nod.
“Your father and I…well, let’s just say we had our differences. He decided to cut me out of his life. Because of his foolish actions, I was not aware that he had even married, let alone had a child.”
I’m not exactly liking his tone. I have no idea why my dad would shut his father out of his life, but I’m sure there was a good reason. And considering he’s not here to explain or defend himself, I’d rather not hear my grandfather talk crap about him.
“He was the best father in the world,” I say before I can stop myself. “And a good man.”
“A good father doesn’t deny his daughter a relationship with the only grandparent she has. A good man doesn’t deny his father a relationship with the only grandchild he has. You cannot imagine my shock when I learned of your existence. And you can’t imagine my shock and pure rage when I discovered you were living in those terrible conditions.” He shakes his head in disgust. “A Bradshaw living like a peasant? My parents would roll in their graves.”
“I’m a Hayes,” I say. My dad took my mom’s surname when they got married.
“That may be your legal surname, but you’re my son’s child, which makes you a Bradshaw. There will be a lot of changes inyour life now, changes I assume you will eagerly embrace.”
He has to be totally deluded. I mean, sure, living in this huge mansion is like a dream come true, especially compared to the group home I was living in. But I know there’s a lot about it I’ll hate with passion. Like the fact that my only living relative gave me the most awkward hug in the history of awkward hugs. Almost as though he doesn’tknowhow to hug.
“Your room has already been taken care of,” he continues. “The staff will stop by to make sure you have everything you need. They will tell you where you can order your clothes, shoes, accessories, devices, and anything you may need. It goes without saying that money isn’t an issue for you anymore.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Actually, I like the idea of earning my own money.”
He waves his hand like I’m a little kid who said the most ridiculous thing. “Your new life might seem difficult at first, but you’ll grow accustomed to it in time. Now, the next order of business is your schooling. I have enrolled you in Harrington Bay Academy.”
“Harrington Bay Academy? I never heard of it.”
“It’s one of the most prestigious schools in the country. It’s located in upstate New York and will provide you with a top-notch education.”
“So…I’ll have to dorm?”
“Naturally you’ll dorm. You can’t expect to travel every day from here.”
“But I’ve never dormed anywhere before—”
“Now, Addilyn, there is something very important we needto discuss.” He sits forward in his chair and says in a graver tone, “Because of who I am, I have amassed a few enemies over the years. Most are harmless, but there are a few who wish to do me serious harm. In fact, the only reason I learned of your existence is because my security team discovered you. I was worried it wouldn’t be long before my enemies discovered you as well.”
My eyes widen to epic proportions as I gape at him. “What?”
“That’s why I removed you from that group home as quickly as possible and brought you here, where you’ll be safe.”
I continue to gape at him, wondering if I seriously fell into one of my worst nightmares. “Are you saying my life is in danger?”
He presses his lips together, as though contemplating if he should be one hundred percent transparent with me. Then he nods. “You’re not a small child. I think you deserve to know if your life is in peril.”
“So…are you saying my parents…” Tears prick my eyes. “Are you saying my parents’ accident wasn’t really an accident?”
His face fills with surprise. “Well, you certainly have a good head on your shoulders. You’ve definitely inherited the Bradshaw brain.”
I get up from my chair and amble to the window in a complete daze. I’ve spent the last month crying over my parents’ deaths and agonizing that it was my fault. I was supposed to join them on a hike, but one of my friends had alast-minute party, and I preferred to hang out with my friends instead of my parents. I called them while they were driving to catch up with them, and that’s when…
I squeeze my eyes shut.
If my parents were killed on purpose, then I’m not responsible for what happened. But hearing that they were murdered doesn’t make it any better. And I was supposed to be in the car, too. I was supposed to die that day along with my parents.
“Addilyn, there is no use for tears,” he says. “Crying won’t bring back your parents. Please return to your seat. There is still much we need to discuss.”
