Page 28 of Sebastian's Secret

“I said no.” Dodging his touch, she felt infinitely larger as she replied, though her voice never rose, and she didn’t flinch when Jonas lifted his fist. She’d seen and heard his threats a hundred times before, witnessing him hitting her mother and fighting with her brother. On too many occasions he’d managed to cower Rebecca as well, wielding the menace of violence to manipulate her, but she knew where that path led to and today, she chose a different road. “I’m going out, and if you so much as touch me, the first place I’ll be heading is the police station.”

“The police?” Her father balked, blocking her exit from the room. “Hear that, Gloria? I’m being threatened by my own daughter now!”

“Move out of my way, please.” Her voice was calm and measured as she sized him up. Jonas was considerably less offensive looking than the three guys Sebastian had dispatched last night. She imagined how little effort it would take for her new lover to eliminate her father’s obstruction.

“You. Are. Not. Leaving. This. House!” His voice roared around the room and from the corner of her eye, she saw her mother and two maids flinch, but she didn’t even waiver. Jonas could huff and puff as much as he liked. She was done playing his twisted games.

“Now, please.”

“Oh, this is nonsense!” Rising from his chair behind her, Oliver stalked to where she stood, squaring up to their father. “Just move, old man. This meal is over.”

“Not until I say it is,” Jonas shouted. “Not until I—”

He never concluded his sentence. Oliver pushed him sideways, sending him toppling into one of the unprepared maids before her brother yanked the door open. “We’re done here.”

For once, Rebecca couldn’t agree with Oliver more and dashed after him, leaving their parents reeling.

“I’m outta here,” Oliver growled, collecting a set of keys from the counter before marching to the front door.

“Rebecca!”

Hesitating at her father’s hostile yell, her heart rate sped up as she hurried after Oliver. It was typical that he would be so angry with her when it was her brother who’d pushed him to the ground, but she wasn’t about to stick around and debate the matter with him. The Monroe family was as noxious as ever, and as she fled into the night, she feared there was only one remedy.

Running out onto the gravel, she was just in time to see Oliver drive away in one of the family’s Lamborghinis. She considered following suit and taking another for herself but recalled that each was fitted with a tracker. If she drove away in one, then her father would be able to trace her with a few clicks of his smart phone.

“No way.” She muttered, pulling her cardigan around her as she dashed into the thick-set forested area that skirted her parents’ property. Having left in a hurry, she hadn’t had the forethought to take a coat, and she regretted it already. Hurtling toward the trees she’d played in as a child, she pushed her way past contorted branches until she was safely tucked out of sight from the main house. Sinking to the ground against the body of an aging oak, she pulled her phone from her pocket, smiling at the sight of Sebastian’s name. He’d messaged her—right on cue.

Hey, beautiful, what are you doing tonight? Are you free?

Chuckling at the sad irony of just how free she was, she wiped away the angry tears that wanted to fall before typing out a reply.

I’d love to meet if you’re around?

His reply was almost instantaneous.

Of course, where can I meet you?

Hope swelled at his response, her heart rate accelerating, but this time from anticipation rather than apprehension. Rebecca deserved a shot of happiness with a man who respected her. She’d spent too many years with idiots who liked to belittle to make themselves feel like big men. The truth was, her father was nothing but a small-time crook with an ego problem.

I’ve just left my house. She knew he could find the place, having dropped her on the grounds yesterday. I’m walking. Is there any chance you can pick me up?

Walking?

She imagined his concerned expression as he typed, the mental image reminding her of the man who’d cared that she’d used her safety belt.

Why are you walking? Stay where you are and wait for me. I’ll come and get you.

I want to walk. She replied quickly, not wanting to go into the details on a text message. But I’ll be close to home.

Climbing to her feet, she shook the dirt from her jeans, her heart skipping a beat as her phone vibrated with an incoming message. Glancing at the screen, she read and then re-read his three worded response.

On my way.

Chapter Thirteen

Sebastian

Sebastian hadn’t expected Rebecca to be available when he’d messaged but was thrilled to discover that she not only was, but was apparently keen to see him right away. Hedging his bets, he’d ventured into the city that evening, killing time until he’d texted. That meant he was only minutes away from the wealthy part of town he’d dropped her at the night before.