He gives me a hard look, and opens his mouth, but Charlie snarls and takes a step forward. Nolan backs him up. Dad storms out, yelling about what a spoiled brat I am, but I just shut the door and slide down it, closing my eyes.
I’m good at arguing. I’m good at talking, but what have I really done? Since Gio told me who is after me, I haven’t done as much as a google search. I’ve let the guys take care of it while enjoying the hot bubble they created for me.
Big talk, big plans about burning down my dad’s empire, setting myself free, owning what’s going on and taking care of it myself. I pull my knees up and rest my forehead against my knees. I have been acting like a little girl cooking up dreams that I don’t act on.
But that’s about to change.
I call Konstantin and I’m surprised he picks up on the first ring. He waits for me to speak. I clear my throat. “He’s adamant that you’re not going to come near me.”
“I got that a second time over when he saw me in the lobby,” Konstantin agrees. “he said he’s having a thorough talk with Gio and Max about the situation.”
I chew my bottom lip and take a deep breath. “I ...”
“What is it, angel?” He asks softly, then I hear a low growl of a sound before he speaks. “Did he put his hands on you? I told him what would happen if he did and I don’t go back on my word.”
“No. Dad didn’t do anything but yell. I was wondering if you’d pick me up tomorrow and take me to ... to see the Volkov brothers and their girlfriend.”
Konstantin is quiet for a while.
“I’m not asking them to fix things for us, I just think that Valerie specifically can tell me the best way to deal with the person who’s focused on me.”
“Mr. Alister.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve already talked to Chase and Hunter about him. They’ve dug up information. I’m going to look over it tonight. I’ll have to get a meeting for you. I don’t know when, but I’ll do it.”
I blink a few times. “Really?”
“Yes. But ... I’m not sure your father or-”
“I don’t care what Max says or Gio or my father. I’m done with this being dragged out, Kon. I’m tired of all the talk but no one doing anything.”
“Your father fired me, so I don’t have to obey him.”
“Or me,” I say.
“I want to help you,” He whispers. “I like you, Juliana and I’ll work to see you as soon as possible, even with other bodyguards in the way.”
“I believe you’ll try,” I say as I rub my forehead, then I swallow. “One more thing, Kon.”
“Yes?”
“Teach me to use a gun. Hand-to-hand isn’t going to do much against a hit man.”
“Sounds like a date.”
“A real one,” I say with a smile. “I can’t wait.”
Konstantin hangs up, but I noticed he was almost whispering to me. Which means that either my father or some of his men are hanging around. But my father can’t keep me locked up forever. I glance at the windows and smirk.
He still thinks the windows are impossible to open. But that was easy enough. Pay the person double to say it was completed and have them walk away. Didn’t take a single bit of flirting.
My dad, his friends, my upbringing can try to keep me in place, just going with the flow, but there’s a fire raging through me. I need to get off this wheel and make my own life the way I want it. If it costs me my allowance and my style of living, so be it.
I pat Charlie’s head. “I’m changing things, Charlie. You might not get your normal five-star meals, but imagine the yard we’ll be able to play in.”
I cook until my door is knocked on and Gio walks in. He shuts and locks the door, then stares at me for a long while. When he walks up to the kitchen bar, he grabs a glass and some whiskey, pours a glass and tosses it back.