From a distance, Daniel caught sight of his father. Their eyes locked, and he instantly felt the weight of the displeasure etched into Mr. Lancaster's face—a scowl that had curdled into something dark and predatory in his gaze.
Daniel's body stiffened. Fear consumed his ability to move any closer, so he stopped right there. In the middle of the shifting crowd, he was pushed and set aside, left alone like some kind of freak while people rushed past him toward the main auditorium where the musical conference was about to begin.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed his arm with such force that a blinding pain shot through him, making him screw his eyes shut as the sensation pulsed against his brain.
"You ass! Why didn't you wait for me, boy? Or do you want to have a taste of my belt?" Mr. Lancaster's voice was a raging snarl. He had forgotten they were in public until he realized that, all of a sudden, the movement around them had paused. He was now the center of attention.
