Page 127 of Give In

Yup, that sounds about right. Any disagreement. Any show of true emotion. Any hint of humanity, and I’m being dramatic. Hysterical. It’s my time of the month or my hormones or my silly female brain.

My dad smiled, playing his trump card. “We’ve found you, Eden. We’ll do it again if we must and next time might not be so pleasant. Strings could be pulled and enrollment could be revoked. Jobs could be lost. You can’t run from where you belong.”

I thought about my plans to move to South Carolina. To be in the wind, hiding from my family and my memories. Finally being free.

But I wouldn’t be free. Every time I let them control where I moved and what I did, I gave them power. That was fine enough before, but not anymore.

As I sat across from them, I saw who they really were.

A drunk and a blowhard.

I leaned forward, my expression so cold, my mom leaned away, clutching her drink to her chest. My voice was low and even when I said, “I’m not going home because Iamhome. I love it here. I’m happy here, not that it seems to matter to you.”

“Think carefully about this,” my dad said. For a moment, he almost looked concerned had it not been for the calculating gleam in his eyes. “We just want what’s best for you, Eden. You’ve always been so much like your mother—troubled. Weak. And when you realize how badly you need me, it’ll be too late. Because if you stay, you’re telling us you have no intention of fulfilling your obligations to this family and no longer want to be part of it. You will be disowned.”

“Noah,” my mom whispered, blinking away the booze for a moment of clarity, “she’s our daughter.”

“If that’s true, she’ll come home. Otherwise she’s no one.”

“You can’t—”

He gave Mom a vicious glare. “Ican. And if you feel so strongly about it, you’re welcome to stay with her and face the same fate.”

Her lips pressed together so tight, they turned white before she averted her eyes and checked out of the conversation.

I may be her daughter, but I can’t compete with the Governor’s Mansion, a full staff, dinner invites, and a spending account.

Grabbing my bag, I stood. “Then we’re done here.”

My dad’s hand wrapped around my wrist. “Be very,verysure, Eden. Because if you walk out the door, it’s done. It doesn’t matter if your hissy fit is finished and you regret it. I’ll be on the phone with my lawyer while we wait for our flight.”

I paused for a moment, just long enough to see his victory smirk. “Goodbye, Governor Wilkes.”

Turning on my heel, I walked proudly from the restaurant.

Okay, that was an awesome mic-drop exit…

But I have no clue where the hell I am or how the hell I’m gonna get home.

Shit.

I’ll just walk until I find a subway or bus.

Annnnnd hope that the three dollars of cash I have on me is enough.

“Miss Wilder?” a man called.

Great, what now?

I contemplated pretending I didn’t hear him until he said, “I’m here to give you a ride.”

Turning, I took in the smartly dressed man standing in front of the luxury car.

I’ve seen enoughDatelineto know better. For all I know, this is a kidnapping plot by my… by Governor Wilkes. It wouldn’t be the worst thing he’s done.

“Sorry, I didn’t order a car,” I said as I started walking.

“The, uhh, Joker sent me.”