Page 11 of Alex

My bedroom door bangs open,jarring me out of the erotic dream I was enjoying.

“What the fuck?” I yell at whoever took me away from my fantasy.

Dad barges into my room with a scowl on his face. “Alex, it’s time for you to wake up and become a man.”

Ugh. Does he not care that I was sleeping? Does he have to do this right now?

“Dad, seriously, that happened ages ago, but thanks for your concern.”

I know where he is going with this lecture, but that’s the last thing I want to discuss right now.

Dad doesn’t take the joke too well.

His lips tighten into thin lines as his eyes narrow at me. The vein in his forehead bulges a little. He takes several deep breaths to calm his anger.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? You’re not a child anymore, so I will not let you party likeyou did in your teens. It’s time for you to get your act together and start earning your keep. Get dressed.”

He turns to walk away, but I jump out of bed. “What if I don’t want to take over your companies? What if I want to go on my own path and make a name for myself?”

He whirls around and shoots daggers my way. “Is that what you really want? You’ve never said anything before, so why now?”

Honestly, I don’t know what I want. I always assumed I’d be required to take over for him one day, so I never thought about my future.

He continues, “I don’t care what you do with your life. I just want you to do something besides throwing frivolous parties and sleeping the day away. It’s after lunch and you are still in bed.”

Is that what he thinks I do all day? I mean, it’s close to the truth, but in the past few months, I’ve been going to the office and making an appearance more, but that has to do with a certain curvy woman who haunts my dreams every night.

He runs his hand through his beard. “It’s my dream to pass all of this to you. I want you to attend the staff meetings and learn the ins and outs of the company. I want you to take over a few of the companies.”

This conversation should have happened years ago when I became an adult and graduated from high school or even college.

Why is it happening now? Did somethinghappen yesterday at the office to light the fire inside of him?

“Only the legal ones. I don’t need to get caught up in any of your side deals or shady dealings.”

I have my own shit to worry about.

His tone is sharp, but there’s a glint in his eyes, like he’s proud of me. “I only have legal businesses.”

I know that’s a lie. I know he’s caught up with the local gang. Sure, he might not have a hand directly into the guns and drugs, but his side business does.

I don’t need my name attached to that business and their dealings, and I definitely don’t need the locals to hate me. I’ve worked too hard to make friends and associates with some of the more influential people in town.

“What about the escort service?”

Dad’s jaw ticks, but he keeps his demeanor. “Escorting is legal in all fifty states.”

I don’t know why I keep poking the sleeping bear. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of his holier than thou attitude, and I want him to know that I know more about his businesses than he thinks I do.

“Prostitution isn’t, though.”

He stands up taller and shakes his head. “What my clients do after the event is up to them. I arrange dinners, galas, and public appearances, not sex dates.”

I shrug. “Semantics.”

Dad lets out a low growl and leaves mybedroom. I guess he’s had enough of me and my questions, but he made sure I got the message loud and clear: I’m going to work with him more and learning how to run the business.

The ‘or else’ was also made clear, and I’m not stupid enough to find out what the ‘or else’ is.

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