He shakes his head.
“Now!”
He frowns.
“Please…” I plead. “If you love me at all… please let me talk to my father first without you. Go back to the clubhouse, go warn the MC, but I’ll try to talk Dad down.”
Viper doesn’t move. “Please, Viper.”
His shoulders fall. He walks over to me, places my coffee on the table, and gives me a hard, lingering kiss. “I’ll call you later.”
Twenty minutes is all it takes for my father and Alec to arrive.
Dad’s face is hard. A vein pulses in his neck. “I knew it!” he roars. “This is why I told you to stay away from the club.”
Alec looks out the door and then glances back at Dad. “Calm down.”
He glares at Alec. “I will not calm down. Look at your sister,” he says, scowling. “She’s in the hospital because of him.” My breath falters, my heartbeat quickens. The monitor beeps beside me. The numbers keep rising.
Dad and Alec are watching the monitor as well. Dad clears his throat and lowers his voice. “I’m sorry for yelling at you,” he says. “But the club is not the right environment for you to stay in. A woman’s jealousy landed you in the hospital. Could you imagine if the club develops any enemies? Times that by ten, and that will be the repercussions.”
I break eye contact. I hate the doubt Dad puts in my mind. The uncomfortable feeling washes over me again. It could have been a lot worse. I could be dead, and if anything like this happens again… next time I may not be so lucky.
“This is why I always ensured your safety in New York… And talking about New York, what about your business? I’d never seen you so determined, so motivated to do well. You’re going to give that all up for a biker that could put you in harm’s way?”
Ouch!He digs the knife deeper. Dad’s making me think I have to choose between someone I’ve grown to love being with and my safety and independence. I frown. I shouldn’t be made to choose.
He must see the hesitancy on my face because he takes a step closer. “I’ll put it this way… if you don’t divorce him, I’ll ensure the MC gets jail time for the marijuana, and I’m sure they have unregistered firearms and other illegal things on the property. Your relationship with him ends now. I’m not having you risk your safety.”
I recoil at the venom in his words. My stomach drops to the floor. I couldn’t do that to Viper, the club, or the ol’ ladies. And I have no doubt Dad will follow through on his threat. Regardless, I lose Viper. I raise my hand to wipe the corners of my eyes when they start to tear up.
“It’s what’s best.” Dad’s voice is softer than before.
There’s heat in my cheeks as my blood burns through my body. “Get out!”
Alec’s and Dad’s eyes widen.
My chest is heaving. “Get out, get out, get out!” Torment is clear in my voice.
They take a step back as the nurse rushes into the room. She looks at me, then my family. “I think it’s best you leave.”
Dad stiffens. “Do you know how much money I give to this hospital?”
Milly walks in and I release my breath, glad to see her pretty face.
“What is going on here?” she asks, her eyes darting between all of us.
“Sophie asked these two gentlemen to leave. They won’t,” says the nurse.
Milly pouts and her eyes tighten. “Mr. Crown, we are thankful for your generous donations to the hospital. However…”—she puts her hand on her hip—“Sophie is my patient, and she has asked that you leave. I’d appreciate it if you abide by her wishes.” Milly looks at the monitor. “Sophie’s heart rate is elevated from stress. She needs rest.”
I’m grateful for Milly standing up for me. Few people, let alone a woman, would go toe to toe with my father. I can see the similarities between her and Reaper.
Dad looks back at me. “Okay… we’re going… but think about what I’ve said.”
After I watch them go, Milly steps over to me. “Thank you,” I tell her, my appreciation apparent.
She smiles. “It’s been quite eventful with you here, between Viper, your family, and the MC as well as the nurses having a field day with all the sexy men around. It’s been amusing, to say the least.”
