Page 108 of Their Property
Dad finally glanced up, looking at me cautiously, as if the soldiers had brought a wild animal to his office. “How are you feeling, dear?”
“Are you going to let them go?” I asked in reply.
His lips pressed into a thin line. “If I don’t?”
“Then I’ll never forgive you.” I held up an index finger as he started to let out an exasperated sigh. “Before you write me off as being a spoiled, dramatic little girl, let me assure you that I am not exaggerating. I’m tired of this, dad. I’ve had enough.”
He started to rise from behind his desk. “Let’s have some lunch and talk this over—”
“No, we’re not doing that.” My stomach rippled with hunger the moment he saidlunch,but I clenched my fists, standing as firmly as I could.
My skin erupted in goosebumps as I sensed the valkyrie approach me then. She stood just behind me, a tangible presence despite being invisible to my father. If I leaned back, I was certain I’d feel her shield press against my shoulder blades.
It dawned on me thatthiswas the moment she was waiting for. Now was the time I needed her support, when it was just my father and me. I latched onto her visage for the strength and power she exuded. My heartbeat was the axe against her shield, beating out a war cry.
“Every time I do something you don’t like, we sit down over lunch, and youlectureme,” I said to my father. “You just talk at me and scold me, listing out all the reasons why I shouldn’t have ditched my guards, stuck my head out of a car window, or takenonepuff of a cigar. And youneverlet me talk. You. Never. Listen.”
The side of my fist came down on an end table next to me. It wasn’t an axe on a shield, but it would do. The thump against the wood was satisfying, strengthening my resolve. I heard the subtle clank of armor as my valkyrie shifted. In my mind’s eye, I saw her tilt her head, a slight smile forming on her lips.
“I’ve had enough of being treated like a child, dad. I’m my own person, capable of making my own decisions. And I won’t let you punish innocent men because of whatIchose to do with them.”
“Darling, I…” Dad slouched over his desk, rubbing the heels of his palms into his eyes. “It just doesn’t make any sense to me. Why would you get involved with a biker gang? I raised you to be modest and gentle. To have self-respect.”
“Ihaveself-respect!” My fist crashed down on the end table again, and the valkyrie’s chin dipped in an approving nod. “Theyhave been respectful of me. You know who doesn’t respect me?You.”
The word dropped from my mouth, heavy and cutting like an axe swing. “You know who else didn’t? Malcolm Blake. Nathan Perry. Governor Perry and all his cabinet members. The only men you want me to be around think of me as some bimbo arm candy. They get married and see their wives as sex dolls. The Sonsneversaw me that way. They sawme,the person! But you never respected them either, did you?”
My father was quiet for a long time. During that heavy silence, I was starting to think he might have actually heard me. Actually listened.
“Sweetheart,” he began tentatively. “I’m so sorry you feel that way. I never—”
My well of sympathy empty, I cut my palm through the air to silence him. “Please, don’t. I know you have justifications for everything. I don’t want to hear them.” He was good at feigning ignorance, I’d give him that. But he couldn’t use that on me anymore. He knew exactly what he was doing.
“Since whatIwant doesn’t matter to you, how do you think the Steel Demons will react to you imprisoning their friends?” I peered at him curiously. He had to have thought of that. Maintaining his image was everything, and the Steel Demons were heroes in Four Corners. Pissing them off would turn the whole territory against him.
“I’ve already heard their case,” dad admitted gruffly. “General Bray is Reaper’s father, as you know. I got an earful from him as well.”
When it came to his general and other advisors, my dad was actually a great listener. It was ultimately what made him a good leader, that he took advice from people he respected.
It hurt, more than I wanted to admit, that I wasn’t included among those people. And neither were the Sons.
“Tell me this,” he said, drumming his fingers on the desk. “What if my instincts are right? That those men will just use you and then discard you when they’re done?”
I bristled at his speculation. Malcolm Blake had all but promised me he would do just that while he held me captive. He would use me, never be a faithful husband, and only parade me around on his arm when he needed me. A governor’s son, privileged and well-reared, like me.
As tempting as it was to spit out those thoughts, I responded, “Then I will learn from the experience and do my best not to repeat it.”
My father snorted, dismissive of meagain,and the valkyrie within me beat a louder drum beat against her shield.
“Have you ever considered you might be wrong?” My temper flared, the embers of it still hot despite burning off most of my rage the night we arrived. “Did you ever think that they could be good to me? That they treat me better than every politician’s son or nephew you’ve introduced me to? Is itsohard to believe that they’re actually wonderful, and they make me happy?”
“Even if that were true, Kyrie.” My father grimaced. “Allthreeof them? People might think that you’re—”
“What, like Mari?” I shot back. “The most loved and respected medic in the territory? Who has two perfect babies andfouradoring husbands? Geez, dad, you’re right. Why would I want to be anything like her?”
“Even you must realize Mari’s situation is the exception, not the rule. It’s not even the same thing, because her men don’t…”
The realization dawned on me like a light bulb clicking on. A harsh laugh burst from my chest as I pressed a palm to my forehead. How could I not have seen this sooner?
