Page 20 of Beastly Boss

“We know you’ve been playing both sides,” Chase says. He casually twirls a gun around his finger, and my eyes are drawn to the light reflecting off the dark metal. He looks unhinged.

“Yes, we’ve gone over this,” my dad says. “Let my daughter go. You want me to get out of bed with the Caparellis. That has nothing to do with my daughter.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I want your whore of a daughter to get out of bed with the Caparellis. One Caparelli, in particular.”

My heart sinks, and my stomach turns to stone. My father furrows his brow in confusion.

“Oh, what’s that?” Chase continues. “You didn’t know innocent little Kimbra spent the night with Aurelio Caparelli?”

I shrink into a ball, though I can still feel the weight of my father’s gaze on me. “Kimbra?” he asks in a quiet but shaky voice. “Is this true?”

“Yes,” I squeak. What’s the point of lying at a time like this? It might be my last moment on earth. That thought has terror rushing through me, flooding my lungs and suffocating me with each passing second.What if I never see Aurelio again?

In one swift motion, Officer Chase kneels in front of me and tips my chin up with the muzzle of his gun. I’m trembling from head to toe, but I keep my eyes locked on his. If he shoots me in the head, I’m damn well going to make him look me in the eye.

“No!” my father shouts. “No, please, God, no. Chase, stop it. Shootme. Killme. I’m the one you want to punish, not her. Not my baby girl.” His desperate pleas are ignored.

I hold my breath as the sound of the safety clicking off on the gun fills my ears. A gunshot rips through the air, but… but I’m still here. Still alive.

The man kneeling in front of me slumps to the side, the hand holding his gun falling limply to the floor. I can’t breathe or blink. I’m frozen in place, still not understanding what happened.

I glance down at Chase’s body and notice a bullet lodged in his back, blood pouring from the wound.Who…?

“Kimbra, thank fuck.” Aurelio’s deep, gravelly timbre wraps around me like a blanket

I finally suck air into my lungs, the rush of oxygen making me dizzy. “How…?” I breathe before choking out a sob.

“Lorenzo, get the keys,” he commands one of the dozen men now pouring into my father’s house. Seconds later, Aurelio is tossed a small key,, and he undoes my handcuffs. “Did they hurt you? Are you okay?”

His words are rushed as he looks me over, surveying the damage. Aurelio gently brushes his thumbs over the angry red marks on my wrists, then tenderly checks my face and arms for marks.

“I’m taking you home,” he announces.

I nod, wanting nothing more in the whole world. Aurelio scoops me up, his strong arms folding me into his all-consuming, safe embrace. I bury my head against his chest, letting the fabric of his shirt soak up my tears.

“Aurelio,” my father says from beside us. I look up and notice someone must have undone his handcuffs as well. “You and my daughter?”

“I will always protect her,” he replies, his tone steady and unwavering. The two men share a long, meaningful look. Finally, my father nods once before turning his gaze on me.

“I love you, and I’m so sorry,” he says. “I’m sorry you got caught up in this.”

I nod and tighten my hold on Aurelio. “I know,” I tell him. “I love you, too, Dad. I’m safe and happy with Aurelio.”

My beastly mafia boss grunts in approval, and even though I’m still recovering from everything that happened today, I can’t help but grin. This man. He’s got a lot of groveling to do, but I think he’s up for the challenge.

Aurelio makes his way outside, but before we get to his car, I spot my backpack. It must have fallen off my back when I was shoved out of the van.

“Wait,” I tell him.

Aurelio pauses, and his eyes meet mine. He looks like he’s bracing himself for rejection, but that’s not what’s happening.

“My backpack,” I clarify, pointing to the pink and blue checkered bag.

Aurelio steps up beside the bag and dips me backward, much like the dance we shared not all that long ago. I grab my backpack, giggling when he pulls me back up. He presses his lips to my forehead and breathes me in.

“I owe you an epic apology, and I know I’m not out of the doghouse yet,” he murmurs. “But hearing your sweet laughter gives me hope you’ll hear me out.”

I nod. “Take me home,” I whisper.

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