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CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Let Me Down Slowly
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” I ask, twisting in my seat to face Carter as Beast drives us home. I catch his gaze in the rear view mirror, unable to discern the look in his eyes.
My dad swipes a hand over his face, before pinching the bridge of his nose. “We’ve gone into business together.”
“The club?” I ask, hating the way he won’t look at me. Everything feels off.
“Yes and no.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I push, flinching at the sharp look he gives me.
“It means what it means. Stop asking questions, Grim.”
“Dad—”
“I said enough! When the time is right you’ll know. Right now I need to take a couple of sleeping pills and pass the fuck out. I’ve got a splitting fucking headache. It’s been a long weekend.” He rubs at his temples, groaning.
“Then why invite me to dinner tonight if you’re not going to let me in on what deal you’ve got going with the King, who’s a chauvinistic pig by the way. I have a right to know what’s going on.”
Dropping his hands, Carter twists his body to face me. “Firstly, whilst I might have given you more insight into the business and some responsibility with the refit, Tales ismyclub. Who I choose to do business with has fuck all to do with you. Know your place.”
I suck in a sharp breath. “Myplace?”
“That’s right. I’m the boss. I decide who I do business with, not you. Do you understand me?”
“But—” My voice comes out in a croak, and I hate it. I hate that my own dad has been able to cut me so deep, so easily.
“No buts. This ismybusiness.”
“I thought you said that you wanted me to be your partner? Why have you given me the responsibility of the refit if you didn’t think I was capable of overseeing it?”
He looks me up and down, and I feel his disgust sink into my skin. What the hell is wrong with him? “Is dressing like an attention-seeking whore befitting of someone I want running the club beside me, huh? I think fucking not.”
Beast slams on the brakes, my gasp lost beneath the sounds of the tires squealing as we’re all thrown forward in our seats. My father throws his hands out, slamming them onto the back of Beast’s seat.
“What the fuck, Beast?!” he shouts, oblivious to the tear that fucking escapes my eye. I swipe at it, refusing to let my dad see how hurt I am by his words. It’s surprisingly painful.
“Apologies, a cat just ran into the road,” Beast replies, twisting in his seat. He looks at me, an unreadable expression on his face. “You alright?”
“I’m fine,” I reply tightly.
“Just take us fucking home,” Carter snaps.
“Yes,boss.” Beast puts the car into drive, his fingers gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles are white.
The rest of the journey is spent in awkward silence. By the time we’ve pulled up outside the house it’s nearing midnight, but the last thing I want to do is go inside. Carter’s words are like a fucking dagger to my heart and there’s no way I’m ready to sleep under the same roof as him. Beast cuts the engine and Carter reaches for the handle like he can’t wait to get away from me.
“Carter.Dad…”
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” he grinds out, opening the door and striding towards the house without a backwards glance.
I stare after him, stunned by his attitude towards me. “What the fuck did I do wrong?” I mumble, more to myself than to Beast who is staring at me in the rear view mirror.
“Princess…”
“Don’t. Whatever it is you’re about to say, I don’t want to fucking hear it.”
