want what is best for you. Always. That is so wrong?”
“I’m my own person. Separate from you.”
“Does she talk back to you like this?” he asks me.
Hell no, I’m not playing along with his humor-the-little-woman game. “If by talk back you mean expresses her thoughts and feelings honestly, then yeah. She’s the smartest person I know.”
He snorts and motions for Mallory to give him her hand. “Let me see this ring.”
Slowly, Mallory holds out her hand. DeLova carefully inspects the sapphire and diamonds, even scratches his thumbnail against the gold band.
“You didn’t ask my permission, son,” he says without looking at me.
“I’m not a piece of chattel, Father.” Mallory yanks her hand back. “The only permission he needed was mine.”
Poor old-fashioned DeLova, imprisoned and subjected to this feisty side of his daughter he never knew existed. I barely stuff down my laughter.
He blows out a defeated breath. “Can I please walk my only daughter down the aisle?” His blue eyes bore into me. “When you marry this man you have chosen for yourself.”
That still doesn’t sound like acceptance, but he’s got a few more years behind bars to come to terms with me as his son-in-law.
“Well, we want to get married in California,” Mallory says.
“What a vile place.” Her father sighs. “I still want to be there.”
“Okay,” Mallory whispers. After a few beats she lifts her head and stares her father down. In a strong, no-bullshit manner she adds, “Daddy, since we’re being so open and honest today, let me be crystal clear. If you ever try to do anything to interfere in our relationship or send anyone to harm Chaser or his family, I will disappear from your life for good. That is a fact, not a threat.”
He sits back and stares at her.
Clearly Mallory knows her father better than he thought. Somewhere in his conniving, criminal brain, I’m sure he’s been plotting my death from the second we made our announcement.
She leans in closer. “Vasily tried to take me once. I won’t make those mistakes that led him to me again, Father. So for the sake of our relationship…” she touches the back of his hand and then her chest, “…I hope you’re sincere.” She glances around at the prison walls. “We’re already losing enough time together. I need you to accept our engagement with an open and honest heart.”
That might be difficult since what’s beating in DeLova’s chest is probably black and pumping acid instead of blood through his veins.
“You have my word,” he promises.
“Good, because I would hate to lose you forever.”
Mallory
Outside the prison, I collapse against the truck door, my head hitting the window with a thump. My heart’s never pounded so fast and my knees are so weak I can barely stand.
Did I really say those things to my father? I’ve never spoken up. Talked back. Voiced an opinion to him. Not once in my life.
Chaser presses his body against mine and kisses my forehead. “I am in awe of you.”
I lift my shaking hands between us, staring at them. “I can’t believe I threatened my father.”
His body quivers and when I glance up, he’s laughing.
I sock him in the gut and he laughs harder. “It was beautiful, Mallory. Every fucking word. Priceless. Poor bastard. I almost felt bad for him.”
I growl and press my hands against his chest to push him away. But he captures my wrists and pins them at my sides. “I’m serious. After the shit I’ve put you through the last few months, you standing up for me means everything.”
“I was standing up for myself too.”
“That means even more.”
My gaze slips to the prison doors. “I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I. But he’s got no reason to come after me right now. We promised him we’d wait until he’s out to get married.”
“Screw that. I don’t want to wait. I don’t want our wedding to be a big affair that belongs to everyone except us.”
He swallows hard. “What do you want, little dove?”
“Let’s elope. We can do it in California without telling anyone. We’ll have the big, expensive, showy party for our family and friends later. No one will know the difference.”
“Mallory, I want to give you the world. Everything you desire and deserve.”
“Do you know how many of those ostentatious weddings I attended growing up? I wasn’t the starry-eyed little girl sitting there fantasizing about my own poofy white dress and bag full of envelopes stuffed with cash that everyone felt obligated to bring.” I close my eyes and