Rebel Princess - Book 2 (The Hope Saga) by Chrissy Peebles Read Free Book Online

white lilies. He says that’s why he wants to save me but that he still can’t save you or Brett. He said I’m worth saving.”
    “And we’re not? Gee, it’s sorta insulting that someone’s predicting my death but really doesn’t care to do anything to stop it. What did I ever do to anybody?”
    “Nothing. But neither has Brett. He and his family are pillars of this community. It doesn’t make sense,” I said, shaking my head.
    “Yeah, that’s why I don’t think Dante has anything to do with it. Brett and his relatives are the biggest sheep I know. They just follow him blindly, do whatever he tells them.”
    I met her gaze. “And you don’t?”
    “Well, I may not agree with all of the methods to his madness, but unlike you, I don’t think he’s some controlling dictator who’s out to get us.”
    I blinked. “Excuse me? Look around, Rachel. We’re still locked down here, aren’t we?”
    “Yes, but it’s only temporary. It’ll be different on the surface.”
    “You keep telling yourself that, but what makes you think it’s true? A leopard doesn’t change its spots, and neither will Dante.”
    Suddenly, Brett’s dad towered over me. “Sky, may I have a word with you?”
    “Um…s-sure,” I stuttered. I looked at Rachel. “I’ll be right back.”
    She nodded. “I’ll be here,” she said.
    Brett’s dad escorted me to one of the empty offices and asked me to take a seat.
    I sat down, and he sat across from me. 
    His gaze narrowed. “I brought you in here because I need a moment alone with you.”
    I swallowed hard. “Okay…”
    “Sky, you’re a nice girl, a smart one, so I’m just gonna cut to the chase.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Panders. Please do.”
    “I want you to end things with my son.”
    It took a moment for his words to register, and when they finally did, my jaw almost dropped to the floor. “But I-I don’t understand…”
    “You’re trouble, Sky. You have been since the day you were born, and I don’t want my son associated with you. We’ve worked hard to gain the respect of Dante and everyone in this community.”
    “You’ve never liked me, and you never will,” I said. “Are you afraid I’ll break his heart? Because I won’t. I love Brett with all my heart. My feelings are genuine and true, and—”
    “I know you care about him, but you’re just…not a good match.”
    “What makes you think that? He makes me smile, even on my worst days. He makes me laugh and cheers me up, and he laughs at my jokes like I’m the funniest person in the world.”
    “I know. I heard you laughing and talking Friday night in the living room.”
    “Are you mad because we stayed up late on Friday watching movies? If that’s what this is all about, I promise it’ll never happen again.”
    “It’s not about that.”
    Suddenly, it was as if that whole watery world crashed in around me. Brett was the love of my life, and I couldn’t stand the thought of his family—or anything—tearing us apart. “Then what is it?” I asked.
    “On top of what I’ve already mentioned, you being a bit of a…rabble-rouser, you spent a day in lockup recently, and that wasn’t the first time. That is not fitting behavior for any girl who wants to date my son.”
    Just like that, they’d deemed me unworthy, and that news hit me hard. “Are you saying he deserves better?”
    He crossed his hands and leaned forward. “I’m worried you’re a bad influence on Brett. My son deserves the best, not a trouble maker like you.”
    Trouble maker ? The insult stung, and my heart dropped into my shoes. It took a minute to gather my thoughts and composure before I met his gaze straight on and said, “You call me names just because I’m a little…out of control? The truth is that you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my grandparents. I don’t like playing that card, and I seldom ever bring it up, but I wonder how my grandparents would feel about you calling their granddaughter