Page 50 of Precious Legacy
“I know.” He lifts his head, those hard eyes glowering at me. “You can forget about the lies and secrets, Alanis. I know you want to join the Police. I know you want to follow in your aunt’s footsteps and I know you’ve been accepted into the academy.”
“How?” My brows furrow. There’s no way he can know that because…
Footsteps sound from the hall, and my gaze latches onto Roman standing awkwardly as he runs a hand through his ruffled hair.
In that moment, fear no longer resides in my body. Rage and hurt and the urge to punch something takes up residence, instead.Him.
“It wasn’t Roman.”
I snap my head back to my father. I have no words, nothing that could even diffuse this situation. Dadknows, and judging from the look on his face, he didn’t really come here for a conversation about my career prospects.
“You think I don’t still have contacts?” My father sighs, his brow arched in accusation. He’s not at all perturbed by the fact Roman’s even here, walking out of my room in just his boxers. “I’m just disappointed I had to find out from someone else.”
I swallow thickly, glancing nervously at Roman, who offers me a weak smile in return. He’s still handsome even when he has that sheepish look on his face. His taut abs are covered in scratch marks from our crazy night together.Fuck, I don’t need this distraction right now.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I should have told you. I tried to tell you last week, but…”
“It doesn’t matter,” he huffs. “I’m here to tell you it’s not going to happen.”
The whole room grows colder as my dad fixes me with a stern glare. There’s a warning in his gaze, a threat to the silence that fills the room, and all the while, Roman just stands there awkwardly, watching our interaction unfold catastrophically.
“What?” I choke out. “You can’t?—”
“It’s not happening, Alanis! I accepted your reluctance to be involved with the family businesses, even changing your fucking name, but working for the enemy is something I won’t tolerate.”
“Dad,” I plead softly, my voice cracking under the weight of his command.
He pushes up from his chair, his stance just as angry as his face. Though he contains it well, I clearly haven’t inherited that trait, because all the emotions I’ve been pushing away for so long come rushing through me like a tidal wave.
“Dad!” My tone grows fierce.
“We’re done talking, Alanis.” He turns and heads towards the door, but this conversation is far from over. He can’t just walk into my apartment and tell me I’m not going to join the academy. It’s done already. I have one week before my induction day, and I’m dead set on being there.
“No, we’re not! I want to do this. I’m going to do this!”
“No, you’re not, Alanis,” Dad orders through gritted teeth. “I forbid it.”
Air stutters in my lungs as I absorb those three words. “You forbid it?” I laugh. “You forbid your twenty-two year old daughter from doing something she’s worked hard to accomplish? Why can’t you be happy for me?”
“Because you’re not thinking things through! You think I’m going to be happy for you when you’re making stupid decisions?” He spins around and points an accusatory finger at Roman. “And you fucking knew?”
Roman steps forward in silent surrender. “Axel, I?—”
“Enough!” Dad bellows, cutting him off, his eyes still locked on mine. “You’re being stupid and I’ve had enough of it!”
“Stupid?” I scream at him, my fists clenching by my sides. “I’m stupid for wanting a career?”
My father advances until the only thing between us is the kitchen island. “You’re stupid for putting this family in danger!” he rages, slamming his fists against the counter top. “What you’re doing is dangerous!”
“Our family has always been in danger, Dad! Me joining the police won’t change that.” My chest heaves as I struggle to contain my fury. This whole time, my dad knew. He knew, and he still made me feel like shit last week. I feel the sting of tears burn my eyes as I stare at him, unable to fathom how he could be so cruel. This isn’t just about me anymore. This is about him betraying me. He can use the excuse that I provoked him all he wants, but ultimately, the hurt comes from him.
“Alanis,” Roman says calmly. I hadn’t even noticed that he’d moved from the hallway to stand beside me.
“This isn’t your decision,” I croak at my father. “It’s mine!” I feel my cheeks flare with furious heat.
“Like hell it isn’t! You’remydaughter!”
I flinch at my dad’s words, grimacing at the possessive tone that underscores each word. We’re fighting fire with fire, our rage filling the atmosphere. “And I’m not a kid anymore!” A tear rolls down my cheek. I swipe it away angrily, not caring that I’m now crying. “You can’t control me, so stop trying to!”
