Heart hammering, I slowly walk over to Carter. “No, Daddy. I’m not going back. I’m never going back there.”
He bares his teeth. “You are. I will pay someone to bring you back, if it comes down to it.”
“The fuck you will,” Carter growls.
I put a hand on Carter’s chest, silencing him. “Daddy. I’m going to be the one to give you the ultimatum. You can either take everything I tell you today in stride. Or I can walk out of this apartment and never look back. I have financing for school. I’ll get a job to make ends meet. I’ll take out loans for housing—“
Carter pulls me close. “Or live with me.”
I shoot him a patient glance. “The point is, Daddy, that I can live with or without all of this.” I wave my hand to indicate that house. “The question is, will you make me walk away?”
My dad’s face is so red that I think he’s going to blow a gasket. “Get out! Both of you! When you decide to come crawling back—“
My heart drops. I tear up, but I can’t say that I am surprised.
“I won’t,” I say softly. “You are a lot of things, Daddy. But you aren’t perfect. You know that. And if you are going to make me choose…”
Gripping Carter’s hand, I head toward the door. My dad’s eyes dart between the two of us for several seconds. He licks his lips, waiting until I am almost out the door.
“Wait!” he calls. “Eve, wait.”
My heart thuds against my ribs. I turn back, raising a brow. “Yes, Daddy?”
My dad licks his lips again, glaring at Carter. “Maybe we can work something out.”
Carter starts to walk back in the door, but I stop him. It’s important that I stand firm right now.
“No. No working something out. No more monitoring what I am doing. No more trying to control me. No more. I’m an adult. Do you understand?”
A grimace twists my father’s lips. For a moment, I think I’ve said too much and he will walk away. But when my dad stiffly nods, I squeeze Carter’s arm.
“Come back inside,” my father rasps. “Let’s talk.”
My lips curl. “Just a second.”
Pulling Carter outside, I close the door on my startled-looking father. I press up on my tiptoes, arching a brow as I look at Carter.
“Well done,” he rumbles, his hands coming around my waist. “You’re a superhuman.”
Kissing him gently, I smile. “Just wait until my dad finds out about that big ring that you keep in your bedside table. You know, the one you think I don’t know about?”
He gives a surprised chuckle. “I was waiting for the right time. Not now, obviously. But God, I really do love you.”
“I love you too,” I murmur, kissing his lips again. “I don’t need a ring on my finger to know that I’ll feel this way forever.”
“Oh, princess…” He hugs me tightly. “Soon. I promise.”
He kisses me firmly, grabbing my butt a little. And then I pull back, taking his hand, and lead the way into the house.
About Vivian Wood
Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.
Vivian's lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: "Soulmates never die."
Be sure to follow Vivian through her Instagram or join her email list to keep up with all the awesome giveaways, author videos, ARC opportunities, and more!
Vivian’s Works
The Patron
The Embrace
Possessive
The Prince and His Rebel
The Wicked Prince
His Forbidden Princess
Royal Fake Fiancé
Heartless
Reckless
His Dark Obsession
Her Dark Vengeance
Their Dark Empire
Sinful Fling
Sinful Enemy
Sinful Boss
Sinful Chance
Sinfully Rich
His Best Friend’s Little Sister
Claiming Her Innocence
His To Keep
His Virgin
Wild Hearts
Addiction
Obsession
For more information….
vivian-wood.com
info@vivian-wood.com