Page 72 of Scars of Silk

“Scott…” I trail off. I don’t know what to say. His threat is too real.

This will never end. It’s going to continue and continue until the day I die.

Then in one lightning moment of realisation I understand what Will was thinking. I know the thoughts that went through his mind that day.

This will never end.

The silken ties of my family will never let me free, because there is no free.

“Sienna, I’d hate for your father to hear that our weekend has been upended by your work. He was so looking forward to hearing all about it on Monday over dinner.”

“I’m not seeing my father on Monday.”

“I’ve arranged it.”

His words buzz in my ears. Is this it? Is this what it’s all going to come down to? “Scott. Is this how you want your life? A puppet on a string to my father, because you know if you marry me for money you will never get your own freedom again. There is no freedom in the Richards family.”

He looks at me with wide eyes and for a moment I think it’s sunk in; that he realises that this is all a power play. “Sienna. Believe me, your father has made the deal sweet enough that I don’t care about freedom one way or another.”

My eyesight dims a little.

The sound of a door opening barely registers. Then a hand lands on my shoulder, resting gently on the sore patch of ink. A whispered brush of air skims my ear. “It’s time to fight, darling.”

I turn slightly to the side, almost dazed. Dan stands next to me. Bare chested, his ink on display, his muscles flexed. “I think you’ll find Sienna’s dance card is all booked up for the foreseeable future.”

I quiver at his words. This is the end. My mum. Me. What will happen to us if we disobey Dad’s rules one final time? Then, as if he knows that I’m thinking, he turns and the left side of his lips twitch up at the corners.

“Are you coming back to bed, babe?”

Scott is open mouthed, his skin turning a shade of purple I’ve never seen outside of garish home furnishings. “A rough booty call? Is that how you like it, Sienna?”

I laugh, it's irrepressible. “You’ve no idea how I like it. Now get away from me, my home, and my life.”

“You can’t do this. We have made a deal.”

I step right up to him. His eyes widen, but I don’t give a shit. It’s as though the tattoo on my shoulder empowers me; transforming me from the rule-abiding girl I once was into the woman I want to be. “I suggest you run along and tell my dad about it, because I can assure you, I’m no longer listening.”

I push him back for the open door and he scurries, his stupid shiny boat shoes squeaking against the floor. Then I slam the door in his face and lean against it, wild shakes overtaking my body.

Dan catches me, crushing me into his chest.

“There will be repercussions, Dan.” Tears spill down my cheeks. “There’s always a price to pay.”

“It’s time to stand up, Sienna. Look at everything you are, all the things you’ve achieved, and fight for them. If you don’t stand up now, then how do you know there won’t be another obnoxious prick knocking on your door next weekend. How will we ever buy our groceries in public?”

I snort, a mixture of tears and laughter.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“How fast does your car go?”

I shrug. “Fast.”

“Well then how about we stop whatever is about to go down at your parents? You know, bullies like Aiden, like your dad. They all have one thing in common.”

“What’s that?”

I never thought of my dad being like Aiden. But if you take away the veneer of lifestyle and look at the man underneath, they are one and the same. Dan can see that because he sees everything just as it is. He’s been seeing me just as I am since the moment we met when he accused me of being uptight and in need of an orgasm.