7 Scarlett #2
“Your poor teacher, Mr. Kline, didn’t know what the hell to do. From what Asher said, he came back down the hallway and found the classroom locked. Asher kicked the damn door open. Mr. Klein and the lady teacher came around the corner and tried to help but it was too late, Asher lost his shit.”
I stare at him.
“He saw what they were doing to you and completely lost it.” Roman almost sounds impressed.
“Mr. Kline ran for help, while the lady teacher tried to help you, and by the time security got there, Brady was already unconscious and Asher was beating the absolute shit out of Dean.”
My stomach twists.
“The third guy tried to run,” Roman continues, “but Asher grabbed him by the back of his collar and launched him across the room hard enough to knock him out too.”
I blink at him slowly. Roman says all of this like it’s completely normal, like this is just another Tuesday.
“Security eventually got him off them,” he adds. “Barely. Took four guards.”
“Oh my God…”
“Yeah,” Roman mutters. “Grant was pissed. He had to make a lot of calls before Asher got himself arrested.” My chest tightens painfully.
“Where is he now?” I ask quietly. “I need to see him.”
Roman’s expression softens a little.
“He’s okay. He’s downstairs in the office with Declan talking to Grant. They’re doing a full debrief and trying to figure out the next move.”
The next move, he talks like this is a war. Maybe it is. I’m about to ask what exactly that means when my phone starts ringing from the nightstand beside the bed.
Dad. I hesitate before answering.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Where the hell are you?” he snaps immediately. I pull the phone slightly away from my ear and Roman gestures for me to put on speaker so he can hear.
“Why is your room completely empty? Where are all your things? And do you know the school called me today?” Every word gets sharper.
“Who the hell is this boy, Scarlett? Is he the one with all the tattoos you had over here? What kind of delinquent are you involving yourself with? The principal said he ripped your locker door completely off the hinges!”
I close my eyes.
“Dad—”
“And witnesses are claiming this was some kind of lovers’ argument. Since when are you dating?”
He fires off questions so fast I barely have room to breathe.
“Dad, will you please let me explain?”
“There is nothing to explain,” he says coldly. “I want you back in this house immediately. Clara has been worried sick. She went to check on you after the school called and panicked when she saw your room empty. Where are you staying?” he demands. “With that Harper girl?”
I stay silent.
“You are not moving out,” he continues. “Tell me the address and I’ll have your belongings returned today.”
Anger starts simmering beneath my skin.
“Now more than ever we need to present ourselves as a united family. I’m taking on several important clients at Vale Enterprises and family image matters to them. I’ve already invited them to dinner Friday evening, and I expect you to be there.”
My grip tightens around the phone.
“Do you understand me?”
Something inside me finally snaps.
“Dad,” I say shakily, “for once in your life, please listen to me. Something happened the other night.”
Roman looks up immediately from across the room.
“I was attacked.” The words shake coming out.
“Our neighbor saved me. Twice. He is not some delinquent. And today at school there were pictures all over my locker and…”
“Oh, Scarlett.” His tone immediately changes, it is dismissive and annoyed. Like I’m exhausting him.
“Do you hear yourself right now? I’m honestly tired of these dramatic accusations you keep inventing for attention.”
My chest caves inward.
“If you were really attacked,” he says sharply, “why didn’t you report it? Why didn’t you come to me?”
I actually laugh bitterly at that.
“When have you ever believed me?”
“I’m not discussing this again,” he says firmly. “I expect you home by Friday.”
Then he hangs up, just like that. Something ugly and broken twists violently inside my chest.
I’m angry. Angry at my father and Clara for never believing me.
Angry at Celeste. Angry at myself for letting this go on so long.
Angry at my mother and grandfather for leaving me alone with those monsters.
Before I can stop myself, I send a text off to my father that I’m done.
I’m moving out and I’m not coming home. I also tell him if he has any issues to deal with my lawyer and I give him grandfathers attorneys name; Mr. Calloway.
I then hurl my phone across the room; it smashes against the wall and shatters into pieces.
Roman doesn’t even flinch and my breathing shakes violently as tears fill my eyes again.
“I don’t care what he says anymore,” I whisper brokenly.
For the first time in my life…I don’t have to go back. I’m eighteen now. And for once, I’m finally free to choose myself.
“Proud of you, Sorellina. Asciuga gli occhi. Nessuno ti farà più del male.” Roman says it quietly before getting up and walking out of the room. I seriously need to start learning Italian or I’m never going to understand half the things these men say around me.
A few minutes later Asher walks into the room and immediately comes over to the bed. He slides in beside me and pulls me against his chest, so my head rests over his heart instead of the pillows. His arms wrap around me tightly.
“How you feeling, Red?” I let out a soft breath.
“Well… it hurts to breathe, my head feels like it’s floating somewhere outside my body, and even though I know I shouldn’t care…” My voice cracks slightly. “I think my father just shattered what was left of my heart.”
Asher’s arms tighten around me instantly.
“I told him about the attack,” I whisper against his chest. “He didn’t believe me.”