Red Thorns (Thorns Duet #1) by Rina Kent

“Did they come to bother you?”

“To intimidate me so I’ll admit you’re his.”

“He doesn’t know about me?”

“I lied to him and faked a DNA test that shows you’re not his daughter, but he still suspects me, even after all these years. He still wants to get his filthy hands on you, but I will fight until the day I die.”

“Do you hate him so much because he’s dangerous or because he…hurt you?”

“Both.”

“How badly did he hurt you?” My voice breaks with crashing guilt.

“Badly. He didn’t do it physically, but he destroyed my naive heart. Though I guess I should be thankful for that. If it weren’t for his emotional abuse, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today. Still, I would never allow him near you. That’s why I moved us all the time and even suggested going to California next. I tried to escape his clutches, but he always found you.”

“But he doesn’t think I’m his daughter.”

“Oh, he does. I don’t know why, but the more I deny it, the more he’s hellbent on having you. Especially these last couple of months.”

“He…he wants to meet me?”

“He already did, Nao-chan. You just don’t remember him.”





32





Sebastian





I search for her everywhere.

Which isn’t a lot of places. She’s usually either in her house, or in the forest.

With me.

I was so sure she’d be at that rock. No idea if it’s my ego trying to play it down or if I really thought I’d find her in our place, waiting for me.

At any rate, that’s not the case.

So I went to her house right after, but her mother told me she wasn’t there.

I tried calling her a thousand times. Then I sent a series of texts.

Where are you? Call me back.

If you haven’t read my earlier text, this is a reminder to call me.

I know you’re hurt and I don’t want you hurt. So let me explain. The situation isn’t what you think.

Ignoring me is not going to solve the issue, Naomi.

If you think giving me the cold shoulder will make me back down, then you’re terribly mistaken. I’m coming for you whether you like it or not.

Where the fuck are you? At least tell me you’re okay.

This is starting to piss me off and you know how crazy I turn when I’m angry. Stop testing me and answer the fucking phone.

If I find you hurt in any way…

Baby. Come on, just let me know you’re all right and I’ll stop bugging you. For now.

This will just keep escalating and you better be ready for the consequences, Tsundere.

She didn’t answer any of my texts, but she did read them at some point, which should mean she’s all right.

Or maybe she’s been kidnapped and whoever took her is reading her messages.

I shove that thought out of my head as I hit the gas until I reach the highest speed possible. I’ve been driving so recklessly all day that I’m surprised I haven’t gotten into an accident.

The day has turned into night, and I’ve already done the tour of the fucking town. Twice.

Maybe she went to another town. Or another state.

Maybe even another country.

She’s crazy enough to do it, but I’m betting on the fact that she wouldn’t just leave her mother behind.

No matter how much she says she’s mad at her, she still cares for her.

But maybe her mom knows and she asked her to hide her whereabouts from me.

The ringing of my phone drags me from my chaotic thoughts. Mrs. Weaver flashes on the dashboard.

I inhale deeply as I answer in the cheerful tone she expects, “Grandma.”

“Sebastian!” she coos, her tone honeyed, which means she has company.

Sure enough, chatter reaches me from her end.

“I’ll be right back, darling,” she tells someone. “My grandson is on the phone…yes…the star.”

There are some gleeful remarks that I want to shut the fucking door on, but I can’t, because no one hangs up on Debra Weaver. It’s the other way around.

Soon after, the sounds disappear and she hisses, “Where the hell are you?”

“Huh?”

“We have a gathering this evening. You and your uncle were supposed to show up.”

Fuck. We do.

I completely forgot about it in my attempts to find Naomi.

My mind speeds in different directions, searching for a plausible solution. “I have a late class. I can’t make it.”

“Late class with the seamstress’s daughter?” Her tone is deadly, and if we were face-to-face, I’d see the twin flames in her eyes.

“How do you know about that?” There’s no use denying it, and if I do, she’ll just use it as an invitation to strike harder.

“You really thought we would let our only heir on the loose after you kissed the girl on TV?”

A miscalculation on my part. I should’ve known that Grandma would grab hold of that behavior like a magnet. She doesn’t focus on what’s normal, but more on what tries to be normal when it, in fact, isn’t.

“She has nothing to do with this,” I say in my most neutral tone.

“You just proved that she does by defending her to me.”