Page 1 of Blazing Desires
Chapter 1
Daddy Dearest
Davina
“You’ll do as you’re fucking told!”
My father shouts in my face, his spittle flying and landing like freckles. I don’t flinch or even try to wipe the spit from my face. He wants a reaction, for me to go toe-to-toe with him and give him an excuse to punish me. It’s the same cycle we have repeated since mum left.
I never give him a reaction, not anymore.
“I’ve given you everything you’ve ever wanted. Don’t be such an ungrateful and spiteful bitch!”
The way he speaks to me with such venom, you’d think I was the anti-Christ. All this shouting is just because I went for a drink with my work colleagues after a long day of dealing with cats from a hoarder’s home.
I work for an animal shelter, specifically one that takes in cats to rehome. I’ve always loved cats since I was a little girl—their unique personalities and little paws make them the cutest animals to me—but I was never allowed one. It’s actually something I am grateful for now that I’m older, because I’m sure my dad would have killed it by now as punishment.
The cats from the hoarder’s house were filthy and scared, and some were deathly sick. We’d spent the whole day cleaning themand providing medical care, and we’d needed to unwind from the emotional toll it took seeing animals like that.
I’d followed all the rules my father and security detail had set. I’d told my security team that I planned to go to the bar after work for an hour, informing them that I wouldn’t be drinking and where the bar was. I’d given them the information hours beforehand so they could scope it out and come back to me if it wouldn’t be a secure location. But even all that still wasn’t good enough for dear old dad.
“You can’t just go off and do what you want when you want to! How many times do I have to tell you the rules? You live inmyhouse, and I won’t tolerate such disrespect!”
Without warning, he grips me by the shoulders. His fingers dig into my skin so painfully that I know I’ll end up with bruises. I don’t bother to correct him that I had followed the rules or try pleading my case—it won’t make a difference. He wants the excuse to fight, and he wants the chance to hurt me.
“What?” he huffs. “Nothing to say for yourself?”
“I’m sorry Dad, it won’t happen again.” I try to keep my tone neutral and not give him an excuse to escalate things. It doesn’t work. It never does.
“You’re damn right it won’t! From now on you don’t do anything without my permission. You don’t work, you don’t leave the house. You don’t even get to eat or leave your room without my say-so!”
He screams so loud in my face it hurts my ears, clearly no longer caring if anyone hears him. I stopped hoping a long time ago that someone would step in when he gets like this.
I know what will come next, but it still hurts nonetheless.
Pain.
He backhands me across the face, his ring catching on my cheek and drawing blood that trickles down my jaw. I sway with the impact, but his hold on my shoulder keeps me standing.Even though it hurts physically, it is the least painful thing about this situation.
The fact that it’s my father delivering the blow is what hurts me the most—he’s the person who’s supposed to love me, take care of me, and protect me. No matter how hard I try, I still don’t understand why he hates me so much.
“Look what you made me do!” He runs the hand that struck me through his hair. “I’m only trying to protect you, sweetheart. It’s a dangerous world out there, and you being my daughter makes you a target. I just wish you understood how serious this is.”
My father is the CEO of AlphaWatch Security, the largest private security group in Europe. He had been a ruthless bodyguard himself before he’d established his own company and grew it into what it is today. He’s right—he has his fair share of enemies and rivals alike, ready to wreak havoc on our lives at any given moment.
“I do.”
I avoid eye contact, showing him that I can be submissive so this is all over quicker. I don’t cry in front of him anymore—it only makes his eyes light up. He enjoys making me hurt even though he tries his best to hide it.
You’re a terrible actor, daddy.
The sparkle in his eyes dulls a little at my lack of a reaction, making me feel like I won this small battle even if I’m still walking away with cuts and bruises. It’s better than being dead.
Is it, though?
“Good. Now, Daddy’s got a lot of work to do making sure you stay safe.”
He pulls out a handkerchief and dabs gently at the cut he’s created while I suppress a shiver at him calling himselfdaddy.
