Page 7 of Beastly Boss

“Yes, I’m just gathering the data and samples from my final project. The one with the dahlias and–”

“Sure, yes, the plants.”

I barely restrain from rolling my eyes at my father’s response. He’s the one who asked, so why is he always so impatient when I answer? I shouldn’t be surprised. After four years of studying botany, I should know by now he doesn’t care about the details.

“Yup, the plants.”

“Good, good. A solid education is key to becoming a successful adult and contributing member of society.”

I nod along with his well-rehearsed lines. It’s the same thing every single week.How are my studies? Am I getting good grades? Staying away from house parties and bad influences?

These weekly dinners started as a way for us to stay connected even when I moved out to my own place to finish the last few years of my degree. They quickly devolved into my father asking probing questions and keeping tabs on me. These days, our dinners have basically been an interrogation to ensure I’m “on the right path.”

He has his reasons for being overprotective, starting with the awful way we lost my mother. She was a recovering addict who had been sober for years until one day, she went on a bender that ended her life. Instead of being overcome with grief, my father was deeply embarrassed. As a police officer rising through the ranks, he felt the situation reflected poorly on him. Along with the shame came a driving need to ensure I didn’t follow in her footsteps.

Usually, by this point in the evening, I’m agitated and ready to leave, but nothing can spoil my good mood right now. Not after receiving the special gift from Aurelio this morning. I absentmindedly reach for the necklace, my thumb smoothing over the surface of the single emerald on a simple gold chain. It’s the same color of my dress the first night we met.

“Kimbra? I asked you a question,” my father says, interrupting my thoughts. “Where did you get that necklace?”

“Oh. Um…”

“Was it from a suitor?”

I roll my eyes at my dad’s old-fashioned term. “No, not a suitor,” I reply exasperatedly. I don’t know what Aurelio is or what game he’s playing, but I’m certainly not going to clue my father into it.

“You know how I feel about you starting a relationship in college. You need to focus on your studies and then build up your resume.”

I look down at my plate and push the steamed broccoli from one side to the other to avoid eye contact. I’ve heard this lecture so many times I could probably repeat it back to him verbatim.

Before my father gets a chance to drive his point home, someone knocks on the front door rather aggressively. We give each other a look as my dad stands from his seat and heads toward the door.

As soon as he opens it, he’s pushed inside, tumbling backward against the wall. Acting on instinct, I slide from my seat and crouch under the table. I see my father being pushed up against the wall by someone in a police uniform, his arm crushing my dad’s windpipe the more he applies pressure. A moment later, two other men flank each side of my father, blocking any way for him to escape.

“We know what you’re trying to do, old man,” the main guy spits in his face. “Suspension, firing, and assigning desk jobs to some of your best and brightest officers. You’re trying to break our spirit, but we won’t back down.”

“Listen here, Chase,” my father wheezes.

“No!” the man to the right of my dad shouts. “You listen. Your reign is over. No more ties to organized crime. Why let them reap the benefits of extorting the people when we can be doing the same thing? Only instead of offering protection, we offer deals on time behind bars.”

I’m shaking and barely holding back tears as I watch the scene unfold. These men are filled with such anger and hatred, and right now, it’s all being directed at my father. We might have our differences, but I never want to see him get hurt.

“Why… are… you telling… me this?” my dad asks, his face a deep red as he struggles to breathe.

“You need to step down as Lieutenant. With the right connections and a few strategic calls, we already have your replacement waiting in the wings. All you have to do is retire beforeweretire you. Permanently.”

A whimper escapes my lips when I hear the threat, and I slap a hand over my mouth to contain the sound. No one seems to notice; all their attention is focused on my father.

“We won’t ask so nicely next time,” the main officer says. He stares at my dad for a few moments, then backs off, letting my father slide down the wall.

The man nods at his accomplices, and the three head out through the door. One of them looks over his shoulder, his eyes latching onto mine. I try to look away, but it’s too late. He sees me, a wicked smirk twisting up his dry, chapped lips. He doesn’t say anything; he simply continues walking outside.

We sit in silence until the footsteps have faded, then I crawl out from beneath the table and rush over to my dad. He’s rubbing his neck with trembling hands. I’ve never seen him so shaken up before, and it scares me.

“Dad?” I whisper. “Are you okay?”

I hold out my hand to help him up, but he dismisses it. “Yes,” he coughs out. “I’m… I’m sorry you had to see that.” He clears his throat, the color on his face slowly returning to normal. “I’m fine. Everything is under control.”

“That didn’t look very controlled,” I counter as I take a step closer. I lean down and grasp my father’s arm, trying to help him up.

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