Page 119 of Disobedient Pawn

“I’m sorry. I just…fuck, it’s just me, and I needed this…fuck….”

We stood like that for a few seconds before he nodded.

“Here, you can tell me what it says.” I pulled the paper Rory had given me from my pocket and handed it over.

Myles took the small square piece of paper and opened it. There were days that I loved who we were and what I was born into. There were some days that I wouldn’t trade at all. We were at the top of the food chain, and with that came privileges others couldn’t even fathom. But then there were days when I’d trade every last cent and all my power to feel real peace.

“So what does it say?”

“We have a problem to take care of,” Myles said, handing the note back.

* * *

Ren

“I want her grounded,” my father snarled.

Dean Henry raised an eyebrow at my father as if telling him to watch his tone. He squirmed in his seat, and it felt far too good that he was getting the same scrutiny I would.

“You want to ground me?” I held my arms up to show where we were standing. “I can’t get any more grounded than this. You already shipped me off like I meant nothing to you and then tacked on a ridiculous curfew, making it impossible for me to do anything with any friends I meet.” I crossed my arms. “What’s next on your agenda to ruin my life?”

Dean Henry smacked his hand on his desk, and we both jumped.

“That is quite enough from both of you.”

Dean Henry casually sat down, and my conversation with Myles came to mind. Who ran this place? What ties did they have that they kept the worst of the worst in line? And how did Dean Henry not seem frazzled by what he saw?

“Now, Mr. Davies, I understand that you’re upset with what your daughter has done, but there are better ways to get to the reasoning than shouting down my building and causing a scene.” He tapped his fingers on his desk and it seemed loud and a lot more threatening than it should in the quiet office. “We do not tolerate such behavior. I would hate to see you banned from the property.”

“I’m sorry, I….” My father ran his hand through his hair. “I’ve been very stressed lately.”

“Oh sure, apologize to him,” I said, crossing my arms. “Figures.”

Dean Henry’s stern expression found me, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

“Ms. Davies, tell your father why you maxed out his credit card.”

It was tempting not to say a word, but the longer the dean stared at me, not blinking, the more creeped out I became.

“I did it to get your attention. It was payback. You dropped me off here and never showed me our new home, didn’t let me know if anything of mine or Mum’s arrived safely. You sent me a few pictures and said you hoped I was having a good time. That was all before you dragged me to a Thanksgiving dinner, got drunk, and then shipped me back here rather than take me home and spend time with me.”

I held my hands in front of me, hating the tears that had started to flow like someone had turned on a tap.

“Don’t you get it? Mum just died, and you ripped me away from the only home I’ve ever known and the only people I’m close to. The one time I really needed you to be present you….” Shaking my head, I wiped away the tears. “It doesn’t matter. You’re happier drinking your problems away, and I don’t know why I expected it to be any different with me now that mum is gone. I thought maybe you couldn’t deal with her sickness, but… I’m starting to feel like there was more to you staying away, and I’m part of that reason.”

“You’re talking foolishness, I didn’t think you wanted me around. You told me not to visit,” he said, and I rolled my eyes.

“Well, I can see why Mr. Collier likes you. You’re good at following orders.”

I so badly wanted to ask what the fuck he did for him, but this wasn’t the time. Not in front of Dean Henry when I wasn’t sure what his role was besides Dean. For all I knew, he could be the head of the secret group Myles mentioned.

“See what I mean…she makes no sense,” my father said. “One second she wants me around and then insults me with the next breath.”

Dean Henry held up his hand and stopped any further complaints.

“Ms. Davies, what did you purchase with the money?”

“I bought necessities for those at a homeless shelter and a battered women’s shelter. I didn’t spend the money on myself. I bought a few items like new school shirts for me, and that was it.”