Page 26 of Where the Wind Whispers

Violet clenched her teeth but still forced out, “Violet Markovic.”

Her father couldn’t have possibly known, but she stressed her new surname with pride, and not the remorse or even disgust that he would have wanted to hear from her. He couldn’t know because she was careful to keep the heat out of her tone and the fire from her gaze. No, she kept her expression neutral as she handed her father exactly what he wanted.

Proof she was a deserter of their family.

Proof she’d betrayed him.

Proof she was no longer his.

The speaker buzzed again, but Violet didn’t hear a response from her father. The gate didn’t open, either.

“Daddy?” Violet asked.

Silence answered her back from the speaker.

Frustrated, Violet glared at the mansion just a short drive away from behind the gate set atop its small hill overlooking its empire of sorts. At least, she suspected that was how her father saw his home and property.

Violet waited another two minutes before she decided she’d had enough of her father’s games. She just turned on her heel, ready to walk the hell away and get to a phone where she could call Kaz, when movement in the corner of her eye stopped her from turning her back completely.

The front door of the mansion opened, a dark form hovering in the entrance before stepping out onto the marble slab.

She’d recognize his posture anywhere, even if he was so far away.

Her father.

Alberto took the length of the stairs leading down to the paved driveway slowly. No one followed behind him as he made his way closer to Violet’s spot. She knew her father had men who patrolled his property, yet she didn’t see any materialize as he took his sweet time walking the long length of the downhill driveway.

Like he wasn’t the least bit afraid of her or what might be waiting for him.

And when he got closer, the expression on his face made her think he might almost be welcoming to whatever she had brought along.

Except there was nothing. Violet had nothing.

She was entirely alone.

Alberto came to a stop on the other side of the iron gate, staring up at the slightly overcast sky. But even with the clouds, the barest hint of the sun peeked out, streaking yellow over the gray.

“I believe it’s going to rain,” Alberto said.

Violet shifted in her shoes, feeling cold although it wasn’t cold at all.

Then again, that could just be her current situation manifesting itself.

Smiling ever so slightly, Alberto turned his attention back to Violet. “What do you want, dolcezza? Surely, the last time we spoke was the … end, sì? You certainly made your feelings more than clear, Violet.”

Lies were on the ready, waiting to fall off her tongue.

Whatever Alberto wanted to hear.

Whatever he needed to believe her.

Whatever she had to do for Kaz.

That was it.

Alberto, however, didn’t even let her talk, already speaking again before she could get a word in edgewise. “And yet there you are, suitcase in hand, looking like someone just took your favorite toy away. Is that it? Was your toy taken away, Violet?”

Violet stood a little straighter, feeling like every look her father leveled on her was like acid dripping onto her very skin. “No.”