Page 28 of Drifter
An arm hooks around my middle, stopping me from getting any closer to my father. Drifter murmurs in my ear, “Easy, sunshine. I don’t want to have to kill your father if he tries anything.”
This doesn’t dilute my anger in the slightest, so although I can’t be up in Dad’s face, I don’t hesitate to let it all out.
“You’re a dick! You’re a shit father, and the only thing you care about is yourself. All that ever matters to you is getting your own way. There’s no love for me. I was a new toy that you paid attention to for all of two point five seconds, then you spent the rest of your days making my life miserable. Mom can only be around you if she’s drunk, and you have as much use for her as you do me. I can accept all that. I don’t care if you don’t love me or respect me. What I don’t get is why you’re here.”
I throw up my arms, then slap them back down to my sides. “Why?” I sigh. “I don’t want you in my life. I think I’ve made that abundantly clear. When I don’t take your calls, that means I don’t want to talk to you. When I don’t cash the checks you send, that means I don’t want your money. I can’t be bought, because the price to pay to be your daughter is too high. I refused the jobs you’ve lined up, and I’m doing what I want, without you. Now that I’ve found a place to call home, friends who like me for me, not the McGrath name, not for the money lining your pocket, you come to make trouble.” I take a breath, but I’m not done. “I’m in love with this man,” I say, my arm covering Drifter’s as he holds me tightly against him. “I’m not sure what your intention was by bringing three goons here to scare the shit out of me, but it’s not going to work. Tomorrow, I’m filing a restraining order against you. I’m done!”
My chest is heaving, tears of anger and frustration are running down my face, and I feel completely drained. I turn into Drifter’s arms, clinging to him to keep from falling. I scan the faces of the men who came running to protect me. Hawk doesn’t seem worse for wear, and neither does Drifter, but Lee has a cut on his lip and is holding on to his side.
I turn back to Dad. “You’re a monster,” I hiss.
“Think about what you’re saying, girl. Are these men more important than your brother?” Dad threatens.
There it is, the emotional blackmail. It’s always been his weapon of choice when it comes to making me toe the line. He feeds on the love I have for Simon.
“What do you want from me?” I ask. I watch as Dad pulls out an envelope. It’s like many of the others that have been sent to me. Yet another invitation. “Are you insane? All this to deliver an invitation?”
Dad steps forward, coming closer, but before he gets too close, Drifter rips the envelope out of his hand and steps back, taking me with him. “This is as close as you get,” Drifter tells him.
“There are a great many people who will be attending this party, Sasha. It’s a celebration for your mother. I’m holding it in our home. I’m sure you remember where that is, although you haven’t visited in quite some time. You will be there, of course. For your mother’s sake,” Dad says, then with a condescending smirk adds, “and for Simon.”
Dad turns away from me and haughtily walks away, gets into the car, followed by his entourage of goons, and drives off.
“Shit, babe. I don’t think your father and I will ever be friends,” Drifter says, to ease the tension. I’m not amused; what I am is full-on embarrassed, angry as hell, and completely distraught. My hands are shaking, but not from fear. I’m livid about the whole situation.
“I need to call Simon,” I say as I look at Drifter.
“Hawk’s already on it, babe,” he responds. I glance over at Hawk.
“Simon’s on his way over,” Hawk states. “Get your girl inside.” He motions to Drifter.
I look around at the men who came to my rescue. “No, wait. You’re all welcome. If you want to hang around, we can order pizza later or something. You can hang out and watch the game on TV, and I can make snacks and stuff.” I need to thank them. Okay, pizza and snacks are lame, but I’m not thinking straight, and it’s the first thing that comes to mind.
“Pizza?” This comes from Lee, who stares at me like I’ve lost my senses.
“Please!” I implore, then more quietly, “I need to do this.”
One of the guys speaks up. “I’m down for pizza.”
“And beer,” says another.
“Right,” Hawk jumps in. “We’ll do a run later.”
“I’m supposed to pay,” I tell Drifter as he leads me back into my home and deposits me on his lap after he sits on our sofa.
“Relax, baby. They want to do this, and what matters is that we’re all together and you want them here. That means more to them than pizza.”
Hawk comes through, helping Lee in and putting him in the armchair. “You need to check out Lee. Whatever he needs, call me and I’ll get it. I’m going to get Etain. She’s losing her mind, and so is the prospect who is guarding her. I’ll be back,” he says, and takes off.
“I’ve got to see to Lee.” Drifter slowly moves me over to sit beside him. I get up, and while Drifter is lifting Lee’s shirt to check his ribs, I grab a cloth and an ice pack and take them to Lee. I wipe the blood from Lee’s lips and hand him the ice pack.
“This will help with the swelling,” I murmur. “Thank you, Lee. You were ready to take them all on for me. I should have come out, and maybe none of this would have happened.”
“No way, Sasha!” Lee snaps. “Those fuckers would have taken you away to God knows where. Your dad’s got a screw loose. You can’t trust him. Drifter would have lost his mind, and I wouldn’t allow you to go with them anyway. If you’d even thought about unlocking the door, I would have pushed you back inside and barricaded us in until my brothers arrived. Not a chance in hell would I have let them near you. It would be over my dead body.” He’s so passionate and jerks so suddenly that he emits a pained groan.
I place a hand on his shoulder. “No dead bodies. Rest, my sweet friend.” I kiss his undamaged cheek.
“No broken ribs. Bruised, but you’ll be back to normal soon enough. You bought yourself mundane prospect shit to do for a couple of weeks,” Drifter says with a chuckle. “Declan’s going to be jealous.”
