Page 29 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Julian’s fingers grazed her shoulder as he removed his hand from her chair.

“Don’t touch me,” Kaylani ordered, glaring at him.

I tensed, ready to lunge for the asshole.

“My apologies,” he said with a laugh.

Kaylani turned to face her father.

“I’m going to be honest with you, Father. I find this entire meal disrespectful. Not only do you insist on trying to sell me off like I never mattered to you, but you have it set up like a public auction. Is that all I am to you? A possession that can be sold off to the highest bidder?”

“Watch your mouth, daughter,” Dimitri growled.

Kaylani stood.

“I am not a prize to be won,” she said, voice shaking. “And I will not sit quietly while men debate my value and what I should and shouldn’t be allowed to do like it’s theoretical.”

Dimitri rose. “Sit down.”

“No.”

That single word cracked the room open.

As soon as his arm flinched, I moved, but I didn’t reach her in time to stop the smack that rocked her sideways.

Kaylani stumbled, and I caught her before she fell. Helena gasped. Ronan looked shocked and angry.

But Kaylani didn’t wilt under the pressure or humiliation of the moment. She straightened, rolled her shoulders, and scanned the stunned faces around the room.

“The answer is no. I’m sorry he has wasted all of your time.”

“I warned you there would be consequences. I wasn’t joking,” Dimitri seethed.

She met Dimitri’s eyes.

“Well…I guess you can make that three children who never want to see you again.”

Kaylani turned for the door.

“Get back here,” he ordered.

She didn’t falter as she left the room.

I followed, heart hammering, anger so hot I could envision turning around and shooting Dimitri right between the eyes.

Kaylani marched outside, and I opened the back door of Nathaniel’s SUV. She climbed in, and I closed it behind her.

When I got in the driver’s seat, she stared straight ahead, breathing like she was barely holding herself together. I wanted so badly to comfort her, to put ice on her cheek, but I couldn’t—not here.

“Where do you want to go?”

Her eyes found mine in the rearview mirror.

“Anywhere. I don’t care as long as it’s not here.”

Her voice cracked just enough to hurt.

I nodded and started the engine. I could deal with predators like Julian. I knew their tells. But Dimitri was worse. He would never forgive the humiliation of losing control of his daughter.