Page 99 of Savage Roses
I’ve stopped considering him my father.
Yet, here he is, showing up at a moment’s notice, seemingly to rescue me—or possibly with some other nefarious intention in mind.
Once the door has swung shut behind us, I wrench my arm free of his hold.
“What are you doing here!?”
“I found out the Society was coming for you. I had to get to you first.”
My gaze narrows with suspicion. “You found out or helped them orchestrate it? What’s your role in this?”
“You can’t possibly be suggesting that I’d—for Christ’s sake, you’re mydaughter. My role is your father, to protect you. As I have done every day of your life, whether you realize it or not, Delphine. I love you, and even though we’re no longer close, I will always love you. I will do anything to ensure you’re okay.”
I turn away from him. My arms come up around my torso in a hug to myself. I’m too weak for this, to deal with these mind games he wants to play right now.
Every breath feels like a struggle. My body’s cold and numb. I want so badly to collapse in a dark, secluded cave somewhere and… close my eyes.
Without care for when they next open, or if they ever do.
My head hurts and every moment is like floundering in a current so powerful, it drowns out whatever fight that could possibly exist inside me.
Salvatore overestimated me—he assumed I’d be strong enough to make it out of the country. That I could go on and start over like nothing ever happened. Instead, I feel like a wounded animal limping off in search of a private den where I can properly lay myself to rest. For however long I want. Undisturbed and alone in my grief and heartbreak.
If Dad’s here to use me as some bargaining chip, then so be it. I don’t care anymore…
“Delphi,” he says after a long pause. He reaches out, his large hand heavy on my shoulder. “You don’t look well. You’re clammy.”
Probably because I haven’t eaten or slept much in days. Or because I just lost the love of my life and went through a hail of stray bullets after a dangerous high-speed chase.
It’s been a crazy week.
I lean against the wall for leverage, eyes closed, head tilted back.
“You’re sick. I’ll get us out of here. I’ve never let the Society win. Today’s no different.”
Dad moves to wrap an arm around me, but I shove it away. Even though I’m depleted enough to give up altogether, a small kernel of stubbornness refuses.
Salvatore wouldn’t trust him. He’d question his motives.
So should I.
“Tell me the truth,” I mutter, half opening my eyes to peek at him. “All of it. No more secrets.”
“Delphine—”
“Or I will never trust you. You might as well leave me here to die. Because I won’t go with you.”
His chin hardens and his nostrils flare with the unmistakable reluctance of a man used to being in control. He concedes by nodding, his expression tight.
“Alright. I’ve told you a good part of it. I’m a member of the Society. But I’ve been working from the inside to take them down. It started years ago, when you were just a little girl. I was running for DA. Bernstein came to me for help… with his issue.”
“That’s one way to describe it.”
“I refused. It was appalling he would even consider I’d help him. I was afather.”
“But…” I breathe, sinking into a crouch. Standing requires too much energy at a time when everything only seems to spin.
“But he was acting on behalf of the Society. They had been after me for months, trying to force me to join. As I told you, once you occupy a position of leadership, you’re sought after. I had refused for months. They sent Bernstein to trap me, knowing I’d vehemently object given what he was into,” Dad explains. He crouches along with me, gingerly sliding an arm around my waist and guiding me up with his support. “You need water and rest. You’re shaking.”