Page 28 of Jasha
“You’re going to be pissed at me. I broke a rule.”
“I see. Is that why you only ate a little?”
“The rule was impossible not to break. It was an unfair rule.”
“What rule did you break?” With a stern expression, Daddy Kaleb turned on his serious voice, sending a chilly sensation down his spine.
“I called my father on my new phone, then I called a neighbor,” Jasha nearly whispered.
“Did you tell your father or neighbor where you were?”
“No.”
Daddy Kaleb closed his eyes for a moment, as if he were thinking.
“I’m really disappointed you broke a rule already. There are consequences to breaking rules. I won’t take your phone, but there will be another punishment.”
“If it helps any, I’m not sorry for breaking that crazy rule.”
“You just raised the level of punishment by saying you’re not sorry and for calling my rule crazy.”
“That’s just one part of my problem.”
“Did you break another rule?”
“My father is gone!”
“What do you mean, he’s gone?”
“His phone was disconnected. Even his email was, so I called the neighbor, and he said my father moved out.”
“Moved where?”
“I have no idea where he went. I can’t contact him. Do you have anything to do with it?”
“No. I knew about it, but I chose not to tell you yet.”
“You knew? How could you not tell me? Why did he leave?”
“First of all, let me explain why I told you not to call your father or anyone you know. I have enemies you inherited by being with me. You are under my protection and are at least temporarily my boy. So, our relationship has some complications here and there.”
“We’re talking about my father. Did you hurt him or make him leave?”
“No, Jasha. I’m actually working on trying to find him which is why I didn’t tell you.”
“Why?”
“I told you if you became my boy, I would make some changes. But your father disappeared into the unknown. Listen closely, I had nothing to do with your father leaving. Trust goes both ways.”
“You might have done nothing, but he left because you took me away from him.”
“You don’t know why he left, nor do I. I’ll do everything in my power to locate him for you.”
“What good is that if I can’t call him?”
“Things could change.”
“If you say so.”
