These Thorn Kisses (St. Mary’s Rebels 3)

Of course I promised him those things.

Of course I gave my father everything he wanted. He could have everything as long as he let the man I’m in love with go free.

I just never thought that it would come to this. That my own father would see an opportunity and use it against me.

That’s what he did, didn’t he?

Helen told him and like an excellent lawyer, he used that information to get what he wanted from me.

So here I am.

Back in my house, attending another event.

This one’s less lavish and elaborate since it was a last-minute idea but no less important. I think my parents want to celebrate the fact that I’m once again theirs and so they decided to throw a dinner party – Rutherfords are attending.

Breathing in deep once or rather several times, I take one last look at myself in the mirror and leave my bedroom to go downstairs and join the party. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to eat or if I’ll even manage to sit through the whole thing without wanting to throw up, but I will try my best.

On trembling legs, I descend the stairs, cursing myself in the head for not taking Martha’s advice about at least having some juice. I probably should have because I really think I’m going to throw up again and this time it’s going to be in front of all these people who are milling about in the foyer and the living room with their champagne glasses and…

I lose my train of thought because someone strides in through the front door.

Someone tall and broad with dirty blond hair that hangs in his navy blue eyes. Someone whose sight jars me so much that I almost miss a step and grab onto the bannister with both hands so as not to fall and go tumbling down the stairs.

What is he… What is he doing here?

I knew that he was out.

I knew that; Martha told me.

Like Poe at St. Mary’s, Martha has her own spies and sources in the house. I’d asked her to keep an eye on things – I told her about Conrad yesterday when she came to my room to drop off something to eat after my confrontation with my dad – and let me know as soon as she heard something. And last night, she told me that she overheard my father on the phone. He was talking about Conrad being out and he sounded extremely pissed.

I’m not sure why my father was angry but I was just happy that Conrad had his freedom.

And looking at him right now, at the proof that he’s really out, I can’t stop my heart from leaping in my chest, from beating like a happy bird that he seems okay. That he’s fine.

Until I realize that he shouldn’t be here.

Not here.

Not in my house.

But before I can bring myself out of my stupor and even think of doing something – like rushing down the stairs to go meet him as he stands in the wide foyer of my house, his eyes sweeping through the space, looking for something – someone else appears in my line of vision.

Someone that jars me even more and gets me moving.

My father.

He strides over to Conrad whose jaw clenches as soon as he sees my father approaching. And whose eyes have narrowed to dangerous slits as soon as my father reaches him.

I’m there as well.

Or at least I’m at the bottom of the stairs where I can hear my father say, “You’ve got some nerve –”

Conrad cuts him off though.

Not only by his words but also by almost slapping something on my dad’s chest. A sort of a thick file that slightly shocks my dad.

“Yeah, I do,” Conrad growls. “And that’s why I’m here to tell you that it’s in your best interests to back the fuck off.”

“Excuse me?”

Conrad takes his time responding as he sweeps his cold, lethal eyes over my dad’s face. “You’re a piece of shit, you know that? I mean lawyers usually are. But you take the cake because you’re not only a piece of shit when it comes to your work, you’re also a piece of shit when it comes to her. Your daughter.”

My heart jumps when Conrad mentions me and it completely flies out of my chest when he says the next part: “You didn’t think I’d let her go, did you? Just because of your temper tantrum yesterday. Because if you did, then you’re even stupider than I thought and what this file says.” He glances down at the file for a second before continuing, “I suggest you read it. And then I suggest that you think about what will happen if others get to read it. And when you’ve thought it all through and come to the right conclusion, I want you to destroy every little thought in your head about trying to keep her here. About trying to scare her or manipulate her or stop her from achieving her dreams. Do you understand? Because if I get even a hint that you’re thinking about touching my Bronwyn or hurting her or making her life difficult, I will personally make sure that this file gets into the hand of every media outlet in this town and in this state.”