usually works?â
Before I could argue against his ridiculous logic, the exit door flew open and I turned to see the two security guards who had left me in the hallway. Now they stood on either side of my dad. They each pointed a gun at Justin. One guard had a trace of a smirk on his face.
I turned and glared at my father. âIâm not afraid of you,â I said.
âI never wanted you to be afraid of me, Madeline. That was never my intention. Drop your guns,â my father commanded both guards.
Their arms fell to their sides, and my dad told them to leave us. He said heâd be inside in a few minutes. They nodded and turned back into the building. One of them waved the peace sign at Justin over his head before the door closed behind him.
âWe need to get back,â my father said. âI have a speech to make, to try to fix what just happened in there.â
âWhatâs there to
fix?
That video was completely honest,â I said. I was bristling with anger, but it wasnât because of my father. I hated that Justin had doubted me, and I hated that there was no time to explain.
My dad waited quietly and I knew what he wanted. I walked over to him and he grabbed my arm, at the elbow, and held on. I stood there, in such an awkward place. Even though Justin was just a few feet away, I felt this barrier between him and my father, and I knew I was standing on the wrong side.
A wind blew through the alley and brushed Justinâs hair over his forehead. He looked calmly at my dad.
âYou need to let her go,â my father warned him, saying each word slowly so there was no confusion.
âIâm not the one whoâs holding on to her,â Justin said. They were the first words he had ever targeted directly at my dad. Up until this point, he had never said a thing to my father. My dad seemed to register that as well.
âThatâs all you have to say to me?â
Justin leaned back in his seat. âI donât waste my time talking to people who canât listen,â he said, his voice smooth and direct. They regarded each other with the same determined eyes.
âStay away from her,â my dad said slowly. âI mean it, Justin. Look at what happens the second you come into her life. Guns are pointed at her.â
âI wasnât too concerned,â Justin said through a smile. âThose guys are friends of mine.â
My dadâs fingers flinched on my arm. It was a small indication that he was annoyed, but his face still hid behind a stoic mask. âYou think this is funny? Do you have a cocky comeback for everything?â
Justin smirked. âIs this your idea of collaborating with your daughter? Physical force and threats?â
âAnd this is your idea? Storming the National Education Benefit? Ruining this event? Can you operate on a level other than extreme?â
I stared between them and felt like I was caught inside a crossfire.
âCan
you?
â Justin threw back at him. âYou know, youâre not the only one who can spread a message,â he pointed out.
âItâs not that easy,â my dad said.
âWould you stop doing this?â Justin said, his patience withering. âJust talk to people, talk to Maddie. Sheâs your daughter. Weâre human beings; stop talking in some cryptic language all the time. Canât you just tell us what you want?â
We could hear scuffling behind the door. My dadâs fingers flinched again.
âYou better get out of here,â he warned Justin. âNow.â
Justin studied my dad, and for a second his expression changed. His eyes narrowed. Something surprised him. His eyes cut to mine before he slid his helmet on and gunned the engine of his bike.
My dad tugged me to the door as Justinâs bike peeled out of the alley.
Chapter Four
My dad pounded his fist against the metal door three times, and one of the security guards let us in. Paul was