I tightened my coat around myself as I stepped onto the pavement , the city air crisp against my skin . I spotted Dominic just as he exited the towering glass building , his expression unreadable as he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves . He was as handsome , in control , and cold - seeming as ever . I was glad that I had decided to hurry to meet him , and that Vivian was nowhere to be seen . His driver stood a few steps away , poised to open the car door for him . He walked toward him until he saw me . He frowned as I approached . " Dominic . " He cocked an eyebrow , his dark eyes settling on me with a flicker of something I couldn't name before quickly cooling . * Renee … I assume your study plans were …. … .. postponed ? " I shook my head and came to a stop a mere few feet away from him . Close enough to be heard , but if someone saw us they wouldn't think anything of it . The air between us seemed to burn and pulse with tension . The urge to be close enough to smell his cologne was powerful , but I pushed it away along with the memory of that kiss . " I need to talk to you , and it wasn't something I could reasonably get a appointment with you today for ." His jaw tensed slightly , but he didn't immediately shut me down . " You shouldn't be here . " I crossed my arms . " I don't exactly have a lot of options . It wasn't as if I was really given the chance to cultivate a whole lot of allies . " Dominic winced at that . He looked almost guilty , but I had no idea why . It wasn't like he was the reason that Philip had kept such a tight leash on me , keeping me from my mother's company , her allies and friends who might have helped me all this time . The only reason I had any idea of where else I could go , what else I could do , in this lifetime was because I had at least met my mother's estate lawyer in my other life . It had been a brief meeting that I had barely been able to participate in with Philip and Tyler breathing down my neck . I , at least , had the sense before to request that the details of my inheritance to remain private , but it had ended up not doing enough to keep me safe . " I need your help , " I said . " I don't … I don't have any one else I can ask . " Dominic exhaled , glancing past me . I could see in his eyes that he was already considering how to extract himself from this conversation . " I've already interfered enough . I can't keep interfering in Frostborne business . " My fingers curled against the sleeves of my coat . " It's not Frostborne business . It's my life . My sense of securty and safety . You mean to tell me you interceded last night just because it was in public ? Knowing what kind of- " " I don't- " " You do , " I said , setting my jaw . " You know exactly what kind of person he is . Why you're so keen to turn a blind eye to it , I don't know . " He worked his jaw . " Renee … it's not that simple . None of it is . " I stared at him . " He put a block on my personal debit card , cut off my access to all my other credit cards , and yanked my tuition . " He blinked . His eyes widened . " How long do you think I can survive without money ? Even though I have part time position , what am I supposed to do without an accessible bank account ? Get my checks in cash? " He grimaced , eyeing me . I could see the wheels in his head turning , but he had no answer for me . Because there wasn't an answer . " Renee … he is your father . It's … " He sighed . " You wouldn't do this to Vivian . " " Of course not , but you're not my daughter ." " So it's okay ? Compulsion you do something about , but compulsion by default is fine ? " My voice sounded harsher than I meant it to be . I could tell the legal term had gotten to him , or maybe it was just my frustration leaking out , simmering in my words , that was putting the look on his face . " Philip has made sure I have nothing , and you're just going to act like that's not your problem ? Why even intercede if you're not going to follow through ? " " You think I'm the kind of man that could have just watched that happen ? In my home ? " I set my jaw and glared at him . " I'm sure he'll make sure not to invite you the next time . " 1/3 Chapter 11 He huffed . " You're being dramatic . Your birthday … " He shook his head . " I could offer you sanctuary in Brightclaw . " I reared back , like I had been slapped in the face . " You want me to live with the man that cheated on me and was content to marry me while I was under compulsion ? " " Another property then . " " Why is it so hard for you to intercede in this ? You have the power ? " I set my jaw . " Is this also something that I can't ask you for ? " Dominic's gaze flickered , something unreadable passing through it before he said , " I've already given you what you wanted . Isn't your engagement off ? " He cocked an eyebrow at me . " And if a little hardship is enough to make you go back and accept the engagement , then I wonder how badly you really wanted out of it . " I should have been angry . I should have been fuming at the insinuation , but all I felt was numb . Then , amused , irritated and all together done . Did he really think I was some weak little girl who couldn't tough it out until my birthday if I had to ? I'd never been so fucking insulted . I scoffed , shaking my head . " Never fucking mind , and I guess you're right . Forgive me for not being more specific , " I said , meeting his gaze sharply . " I suppose I thought , you being the type of father you are wouldn't need step - by - step instructions about getting me actually out of my engagement . " Dominic didn't respond , but I didn't expect him to . I turned on my heel and pulled my phone out of my pocket , stepping close enough to the building to use the Wifi as I let out a humorless laugh . " You don't have to worry . I won't make the mistake of expecting anything from you again ." I strode a few paces away from Dominic . The easy path out of this wasn't an option , so it was time to stop wasting time . I scrolled through my contacts and selected the number for the Interpack Court . " You've reached the Interpack Court's mainline . Please listen to the following options- " Dominic's hand closed around my wrist , pulling my hand away from my ear . " What are you doing ? " His voice was low , edged with something between frustration and warning . I yanked my arm free and met his gaze , unflinching . " I thought you interceded enough ? What does it matter to you . " He glared down at me . " I'll ask you again , Ms. Caldwell , what are you doing ? " " Getting myself justice since I can count on no one else ." " Renee- " " I'm not asking permission ," I hissed at him . " A little hardship is nothing , and suing Philip will hardly be one ." " Suing your father ? Are you insane ? " His expression darkened . " For what ? " " For financial abuse , sabotage , and emancipation from the pack , " I said . " To start . I figure I'll probably find some other charges to throw in along the way . " Dominic's jaw tightened . " You don't want to do this ." I let out a sharp , humorless laugh , bringing the phone back to my ear . " I don't have a choice , so yes , I really , really do . " His eyes searched hers , something like reluctance settling in his stance . " Renee , this will burn every bridge you have with your father . Once you do this , there's no going back . Why don't you just come to Brightclaw ? Wait a few days for him to calm down . I know he can be stubborn , but so can you . He will come around . " I ulted my chin up , seeing something in Dominic I had never seen before . Naivete , or maybe just a hopefulness that would have been endearing once upon a time . Part of me knew that sense of family came from growing up in a loving home and pack where family was everything . I felt my heart hardening . " You think that every father has a weakness for their daughter the way you do . They don't . You've seen it . I don't have a father , Dominic . I have a tyrant who wants to control every aspect of my life . And you can't have it both way . Don't tell me to not protect myself when no one else seems to want to . Including you . " Something flickered across his face - guilt , perhaps , or something more complex . But it didn't matter . " My relationship with Philip is nothing like yours with Vivian , " she continued . " And I'm not going to pretend like we both don't know that sabotaging my job prospects will be the end of his little machinations . " I followed the prompts until I was put on hold to wait to speak to a filing clerk . 2/3 Chapter 11 Dominic's fingers twitched at his sides , his silence stretching between them . Finally , he sighed . " This can't end well . " I smirked . " I'll take my chances between this and certain doom . " I turned and walked away as a calm , professional voice greeted me . " Interpack Court , how can I help you ? "