Hunter (Sons of Rebellion Book 2) by Elsa Day Page A

do it," I said.
    "Yeah, that was the plan. That's why we were waiting for you, but you took forever-"
    "No," I said, "I'll do it. Alone ."

TWO

    WHY SHOULD I HAVE to sneak into my own home?
    I looked up at the window to my room and drew in a breath. There was no way I was going to make it up there this time. My body was still too sore. Everything ached and I just wanted to get to bed. Besides, mom and dad were expecting me.
    I could just imagine it now: mom would wag her finger in my face and yell, "Where have you been, young lady ?" Dad would fume in the background. If I was lucky, he wouldn't say anything.
    My hand hovered over the doorknob to the front door. I was afraid to touch it, almost as if it was covered in poison. It might as well have been. Whatever. I was an adult. I could do what I wanted. Right?
    The door came open with a click. I swung it open and tried to hurry in before anyone saw me, but it was too late. They were already standing there, arms folded and looking like they hadn't slept all night. Shit .
    "Nadia Carrie-Anne Grenadine!"
    I couldn't even remember the last time Mom had used my middle name. This wasn't good.
    "Do you have any idea at all how worried we were about you?" she yelled.
    The sound of her voice was like nails screeching on a chalkboard. It shook me all the way down my spine. I slammed the door behind me. Couldn't she at least wait until I was inside to start screaming at me?
    "But I told you I was with Jona! My phone died. What the heck was I supposed to do about that?"
    Mom pointed her finger in my face. It shook with her anger.
    "Do you think I'm stupid? Do you really think that you can come in here and talk to me like that?"
    She pulled her hand back, raising it up into the air. I flinched. How hard would it hit? I close my eyes, waiting for the impact.
    It never came. Dad was standing behind mom, holding her hand. For a while she struggled, but then she went limp in his grasp. I am also grateful, but the look in his eyes told me that this wasn't an act of mercy.
    "Nadia," Dad said.
    I didn't even want to answer. "Yes, Dad?"
    "You missed your mother's pancakes yesterday."
    At first I was confused, but then I remembered. I ran out during breakfast, so yeah I did miss her pancakes. The idea of Dad talking about that , of all things, made me curl over in laughter. Maybe it wasn't so bad. Maybe he wasn't mad at me after all.
    And then I looked up at him. He wasn't laughing. Dad stared at me, with not even a single trace of humor in his eyes. I stopped laughing.
    "Listen to me carefully," he said, "because I don't want to say this again. This is a warning. I've been turning a blind eye to your little escapades. I know your mom was trying to keep it away from me, and I figured that she could handle it. But you are starting to go too far. Soon, you're going to be married to the new president of this club. It's time to start acting like it."
    I couldn't meet his eyes. I looked down, away from him, trying to ignore the way my legs felt like they were going to give out. Should I have lied to them? Should I have just told them the truth?
    Dad took another step towards me.
      "Or do I need to give you your own permanent entourage to make sure you keep out of trouble?" he said. The threat in his voice was rising.
    My mouth dropped open. "Dad, I-"
    " I'll take care of her."
    I slammed my mouth shut and spun my head around. Tyson? What was he doing here? He was back already ?
    He walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
    "I'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble," Tyson said, "and if sh e does, you can blame me."
    Dad looked between the two of us, almost as if he was uncertain about what to do. I could understand. It wasn't as if either of us have the best track records for keeping out of trouble.
    He looked at mom and she nodded her head. It still took him a few more moments to agree.
    "Fine," Dad said, "you're responsible for her, Tyson."
    He pushed his finger into Tyson's chest.