Read Online Haven from the Storm (Storms of Life #1) by Sarah Dosher - Free Book Online Page B

behind a tree and waited for him to drive away. He must have been looking for me because several minutes passed before I heard his truck shift gears and the sound of the road under his tires. I waited until I was sure he was gone before I came from behind the tree.
    It was completely dark and hard to see, but as I approached my car I noticed something was wrong. I opened the driver’s side door to allow light to filter out and saw that both tires on the driver’s side were completely flat. I knew better than to drive through the brush to hide my car, but at that time I was too consumed with thoughts of Dean and our beach to worry about running something over. I was left with only one way of getting home - walking. I gathered my backpack and camera from the car and started the three mile journey to my house.
    The rain boots I wore had collected so much mud from the dirt road that they probably weighed twenty pounds each. The further I got down the road, the harder it was to walk. Finally my house appeared from the darkness, but so did my father’s truck. I had to make it to the side of the house and in the door without him hearing me. Once I reached the grass of our yard, I took off my boots and socks with the hope it would help me be a little quieter.
    When I got within ten feet of the door that led to my bedroom, I could smell cigarette smoke. My father was near.
    “Well, look who finally decided to show up,” he slurred, stepping out of the shadows.
    I reached for the keypad to unlock my door, but he stepped in my way and pushed me backwards.
    “Tsk, tsk, Liliana. I don't think you wanna go and do that now. I'm pissed at you as it is. Do you wanna go and make it worse on yourself?”
    “What do you want?” I hoped he couldn’t hear my voice shaking. He moved closer and I knew I was trapped.
    “Where’ve you been, little one?”
    “I was in town taking pictures for school.”
    “Hmm, in town taking pictures? That's it? That’s what I’m supposed to believe?” With every question he moved a little closer. He was glaring at me and I lowered my head to avoid his expression that was a mix of playfulness and hate.
    “Yes, that's where I've been.”
    “You wouldn't feel the need to lie to your good ole' dad, would you? Because you see, I might know that you were, in fact, not in town all night.” He reached towards my face and I instinctively flinched away. His hand stopped momentarily and then brushed the hair out of my eyes and off my shoulder. He grabbed my shoulders tight, digging his fingers into my flesh, and pushed me against the door. I had to control my urge to scream. It would have been a waste of energy since there was no one around to hear anyway.
    “I was in town most of the evening, but on my way home I stopped by the river to take pictures of sunflowers for my photography class.” The words left my mouth so fast I didn’t know if he would even understand them.
    “So that's why that piece of crap car you drive was hidden behind the trees? Taking pictures? That's all you were doing? Don’t you dare try to lie to me.”
    I didn’t really understand his questions. What did he want? “Yes, I was taking pictures. I got a flat tire and had to walk home.”
    “Oh, you didn't get a flat tire. You got two slashed tires.” He laughed so loud I wanted to cover my ears, but I didn’t want to risk moving.
    “What do you want?” I finally asked again, hoping to end this.
    “Cash. And you’re gonna give it to me. You've been holding out on me like the little tease your momma raised you to be. You've got your room locked up tighter than Fort Knox and I'm tired of waiting around for you to remember who’s in charge here.”
    “Okay, I'll give you the money. Just let me go.”
    He jerked me forward until I was pressed against his body. I instinctively placed my hands on his chest and fought the urge to push him away. The last thing I wanted to do was provoke him further. “You’re not the boss,