Page 18 of Beastly Boss

“It’s true,” I admit. “I have confirmation that Lieutenant Olsen is being threatened. We either need to keep him instated and back him up with a show of power or replace him with someone who will shut the inner circle of cops up for good. As long as whoever is in that position is on our side, we’ll be okay.”

A soft gasp echoes in the hallway, and I turn to see Kimbra standing in the doorway of the bedroom. Her hazel eyes are filled with betrayal and hurt, and I realize how the conversation must sound to her.

“Enrico, I have to go,” I tell him abruptly. “We’ll talk later.” I don’t give him a chance to respond before hanging up.

“You’re just… going to replace him?” Kimbra asks, her voice shaking.

“It’s business,” I say, though the words sound callous even to my own ears.

“He’s mydad. Don’t you care? Did all of this mean nothing?” She motions between us as tears form and fall down her lovely face.

I hate that I did this to her, but maybe it’s for the best. I’ll only hurt her more by keeping her around. I’ll ensure she’s safe, that she’s always watched over and protected by the Caparellis, but that’s all I can do. I have to let her go.

“This is my world, Kimbra.”

I grit my teeth and swallow back the apology trying to escape my lips. My heart is screaming at me to run to her, tell her I’m an idiot, and beg her to be patient with me while I wrestle with the onslaught of unfamiliar emotions she brings out in me. But I shut that weak part of me down, something I’ve had plenty of practice doing.

“You’re too delicate to handle it. Too soft.” I hate myself for saying the words, and regret floods every cell in my body.

“Is it really so awful to be vulnerable? It doesn’t make you weak.” How the hell did she rip my thoughts from my head? “There’s strength in trusting someone, truly trusting them with every part of you. Why are you so afraid?”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” I spit out. It’s a lie. A giant, ugly, bald-faced lie. I know it as soon as Kimbra grabs her bag and pushes past me. The one thing I’m truly afraid of is losing her.

It’s for the best. She’ll move on and find someone her own age. Someone who can give her a nice, quiet, peaceful life. So what if I’m a miserable fuck for the rest of my days? It’s what I deserve.

8

KIMBRA

Heartbrokendoesn’t do justice to the way my chest is being ripped apart as I step inside my apartment.Crushingly defeatedis closer, or perhapspainfully naive.

I sink into my couch and close my eyes against the river of tears fighting its way to the surface. I’m not sure who I’m more angry with: Aurelio or myself.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely livid at Aurelio. He provided a safe haven when I needed it most and said all of the right words. The way he comforted me and made me feel unfathomable pleasure…

Then he shoved a scalding iron poker into my chest, skewering my heart. That’s what I feel like. Notheartbroken, more likeheart-skewered-and-bar-b-qued.

My phone rings, startling me from my morose thoughts. I dig through my purse, hating myself for hoping the caller is Aurelio. As angry and hurt as I am right now, part of me still aches to be with him.

When I see my phone, a small, stupid part of my bar-b-qued heart sinks at the name flashing across the screen. It’s Sadie, notAurelio. I almost don’t answer the call but decide I could use a distraction.

“Hey,” I say, wincing at my scratchy voice.

“Oh, my god, what’s wrong? Are you crying? Who did this to you? As soon as my ankle heals, I’ll drive to Vegas and run them over with my car.”

A smile tugs at my lips despite my tears. “No, that won’t be necessary. Let’s just say I’m going to be single for a long, long time.”

“Why? Oh, hon,” Sadie says, deducing the reason I’m crying. “Don’t tell me it was Big Bad Balcony Boy who did this to you. I’ll cut each one of his toes off and–”

“I’m okay, Sadie,” I promise her. “No chopping of toes will be necessary. I just need to… I don’t know. Toughen up, I guess.”

“He told you that? Motherfu–”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s over, and I’ve learned my lesson.”

Sadie has always been protective of me, of everyone, really. She knows what it’s like to be helpless, and though she’d never admit it, she has a huge heart. Then I register something else she said.

“Wait, did you say you hurt your ankle?”

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