Page 98 of His Son's Brid
"You didn't have me," I spit back. "You tried to assault me."
"Is that what you're calling it now? I remember you begging for it."
"I was begging you to stop, you psychopath!"
"Lying whore!" He's in my face now, so close I can see the broken blood vessels in his eyes. "You couldn't get me, so you went after my father? Fucked him to humiliate me?"
"I didn't even know he was your father!"
"Bullshit! This whole thing was planned! You wanted to destroy me!"
"You're insane..."
"No, you're the insane one! Thinking you could fuck both of us! Thinking you could play us against each other!" His hand shoots out, grabs my arm hard enough to bruise. "Well, guess what, princess? You lose!"
"Let go of me!"
"Make me, you little..."
A fist connects with Leo's face before he can finish.
Axel.
I didn't hear him come in, didn't see him enter. But he's here now, and Leo's on the floor, blood pouring from his nose.
"Don't ever touch her," Axel growls. "Don't even look at her."
"You fucking..." Leo staggers to his feet and lunges at Axel.
What have I done? Why do I have a father and his son fighting over me?
They crash into my dresser, sending perfume bottles and jewelry flying. Axel gets him in a headlock, but Leo's fighting dirty, clawing and biting like a rabid animal.
"ENOUGH!" Dad's roarers, flinging himself into the fight. "BOTH OF YOU, STOP!"
They separate, breathing hard. Leo's face is a mess of blood and rage. Axel's got scratches down his neck, and his already battered face looks even worse.
"I want both of you out of my house," Dad says, his voice deadly calm. "Right now."
"Luca..." Axel starts.
"I said OUT! Out of my house! Out of my life! Both of you Santegos, get the fuck out before I have you shot!"
"Dad, please..." I try.
"And you." He turns to me, and there's nothing left in his eyes but disappointment. "You're staying here. Where I can watch you. Where you can't make any more disastrous decisions."
"No." The word comes out firm, clear.
"Excuse me?"
"I said no. I'm not staying here to be punished like a child."
"You are a child! My child! And you'll do what I say!"
"I'm twenty-six years old and pregnant. I'm not a child anymore." I look at Axel, then back at my father. "And I'm leaving."
"Like hell you are."
