Free Haven from the Storm (Storms of Life #1) by Sarah Dosher

little girl. You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do. You understand me?”
    “Yes,” I barely squeaked out before he pushed me back against the door with his body.
    “Oh, I think you've forgotten our many lessons. You seem to be in need of a refresher on how little girls behave and how they should treat their daddy.” He used his left hand to grab the hair on the back of my head and pulled, forcing me to look up at him. He removed his right hand from my shoulder, still holding my body in place with his own, and gently ran his hand down my cheek and across my upper chest. “I know you were with that boy tonight. You will not lie to me about it like I'm some idiot drunk. You belong to me. You will stay away from that boy and do as I tell you.”
    “Dean showed up while I was taking pictures. We talked for a few minutes and then I went to my car and found the tires were flat and started walking home. That's all that happened.”
    He pushed his face into my hair and put his mouth next to my ear. “You better hope that's all that happened. If I see you around him again, I will kill him. And you, little one, you will only wish you were dead.” He didn’t know that I’d already made that wish so many times that if it was going to come true, it would have by now.
    “I’ll stay away from him, I promise, but he’s working at the school in some of my classes.”
    “Fine, but outside of school you stay away from him and don't let him put his hands on you. That boy is worthless. Even his own mother couldn't stand to stick around and raise him. Only that hag, Violet, was willing to put up with him.”
    I'd never actually been told where Dean's parents were or why he was raised by Violet. Growing up I didn't really give it much thought. My own parents weren't around much, so it never really occurred to me that Dean's weren't at all.
    “Yes, Father.”
    I assumed my best bet was to give him what he wanted. I didn’t have long until I would be gone from here and I wanted things to remain calm until that time.
    “Now, where’s my money?” He leaned so close to my face that I could smell the bitter stench of stale whiskey and felt his overgrown whiskers on my face.
    “I dropped my bag and my wallet is in it. I don't have much cash, but I can get more tomorrow.” He stepped back, releasing me as I bent down to get my bag. I took out my wallet, removed the only cash I had and gave it to him.
    “$47? That's it? Exactly what am I supposed to do with this?” He quickly shoved the cash in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, then looked at me.
    “That's all I have now, but I can give you more tomorrow. I didn't know you needed any or I would have left you some.”
    “You didn't know I needed any? You think you have some power over me because you finally got the blood money your mommy left for you? You’ll never have an ounce of control over me, do you hear?” I didn’t see his fist so I wasn’t prepared when it struck the side of my face, sending me crashing to the ground. “You’re nothing! You shouldn't even be on this earth. All of this is your fault and you’ll pay the price.”
    I felt the weight of his foot on my back, pushing me into the muddy ground. I couldn’t breathe as he continued to press me harder. I turned my head from side to side, trying to find air to fill my lungs. Finally he removed his foot from my back. He wrapped his hand around my arm and flipped me over.
    “I think we’re getting somewhere now. Do you think you understand the arrangement we have a little better?” He slowly kneeled and ran his hand from my forehead down my cheek to the middle of my chest, putting a small amount of pressure to hold me down. “Answer me!”
    “Yes, I understand.”
    “Good.” He wiped some of the mud off my face with his hand. “Do you know how much you look like her? You have the same hair and the exact same eyes. If only you’d learn your place like your mother did, your life wouldn’t