Then, my father came around the corner with his face red with anger.
“Where the hell did you go?” my father asked. “And don’t tell me Cassie’s. Because I went there myself this morning!”
“I didn’t go to Cassie’s,” I said. “I was on my way to California.”
I heard my brothers groan in the corner as my father shot them a look.
“You were going where?” my mother asked.
“California,” I said.
“And why the hell did you think you could just run off to California?” my father asked.
“Something could have happened to you!” my mother exclaimed. “You could’ve been in a car accident. Or taken! Your father’s a wealthy and important man. Someone could’ve held you hostage somewhere!”
“You watch too many soap operas, Mom,” I said.
“You will not speak to your mother that way,” my father said. “She has earned your respect for trying to raise you to be a proper woman despite your insolent behavior!”
“I am my own woman and I can do as I please,” I said.
My brothers gawked from the corner as my father clenched his fists. He was two seconds away from slugging me just to get me to shut up, but I didn’t care. My mother’s face was stunned into silence and I could feel my chest puffing out with confidence. I had said it, and now the cork had been popped.
“You have tried to get me to subscribe to a life I don’t believe in,” I said. “A life I’m not fit to live. I don’t want to be someone’s trophy wife like Mom decided to be with you. I want to be educated on things. Like politics and finances and sex.”
“Did she just say sex?” Hunter asked.
“Wait for it. Dad’s head is literally going to blow through the roof,” Lorenzo said.
“If he hits her again, it’s done. I’m not going to stand by and watch him do that again,” Finn said.
“I’m sorry I worried you, but I hope I proved my point. Dad, I’m not marrying anyone. I’m not going on anymore of your dates. You’re not going to sell my virginity off to the highest bidder. That is mine to give to whomever I choose,” I said.
“Is that where you were last night?” my father asked. “Did you spread your legs like some whore for someone?”
“Honey,” my mother said. “Calm down.”
“Shut up, woman. You weren’t harsh enough on our daughter, and now look at where it’s gotten us! We did it your way for twenty-two years. Now, we’re going to do it my way,” my father said.
“Sweetheart, please. She’s just a girl. She won’t respond to the way you raised the boys!”
I watched my father cock his hand back and I braced myself for the impact. But instead of feeling his hand crack against my skin, I heard a thud as people surrounded me. I opened my eyes and saw Finn in front of me, his hand wrapped around my father’s wrist. Lorenzo and Hunter blanketed me with their bodies, shielding me from the impact if Finn’s barrier didn’t work.
“What the hell is all of this?” my father asked.
“I will not stand by and watch you hit the women of this family any longer,” Finn said. “The only thing your daughter is telling you is that she wants to live her own life. Like we get to, in a way. She wants to make her own decisions, and her first decision is that she doesn’t want to get married. And we support her in that.”
“Sit your ass down, you ignorant child,” my father said. “You leave your sister to me.”
“Actually, I don’t think we’re going to do that,” Lorenzo said. “Because we were the ones that tried to help her get away.”
“What?” my mother asked.
“Yep. We gave her some money so she could get herself to California,” Hunter said. “Though I have to admit, coming back here was gutsy. I’m proud of you, Ava.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile.
“What the hell is going on?” my father asked.