Page 45 of My Prince

Compass shook his head. “Just let me live in my head that all of this will be over soon.”

“I can talk to Adalee and see what she knows. Sloane said she had to get on a work call.” It probably had to do with Garett walking.

“Probably with Dickhead Don,” Yarder grumbled. “I’ve never talked to a bigger piece of shit in my life. Dude only cares about filming and making money.”

And that dickhead was Adalee’s dad. Shit.

“I’m gonna go check on her.” I got up from the table.

Yarder and Compass nodded to me, and I made my way down the hallway to find Adalee.

I made my way down the hallway, halfway to my room when I heard loud, male screaming. The closer I got, the louder it became. I moved quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. When I reached my door, I pushed it open and froze.

Adalee was sitting at my desk with her computer in front of her, tears streaming down her face as she dashed them away with the back of her hand. On the screen was an angry-looking older man, his face contorted with rage.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on inside that fat head of yours, Adalee, but you better get it on straight,” he shouted.

My blood boiled at the way he was talking to her. No one had the right to speak to her like that, not even her father.

“My head is on straight, Don,” she replied, surprising me with the calm in her tone.

“Your head is on straight, so that is why you decided to start shacking up with one of those bikers?” Don tsked. “I thought I raised you better than this, Adalee.”

“As if you raised me,” she spat back.

That’s my girl. She didn’t have to take this asshole’s shit. Who cared if he was her dad? Sometimes blood wasn’t thicker than water.

“End it with the biker,” he growled. “You’re making a fool of yourself.”

“No,” Adalee defied. “I gave up the career I always wanted for you, Dad. I’m not going to give up Fade for you, too.”

I felt a surge of pride mixed with anger. This was her father, the man who was supposed to support and love her, and instead, he was tearing her down. I couldn’t stand by and let it continue.

“Adalee, this is your last warning. Either you end it with that biker, or you can kiss your job and any support from me goodbye,” Don threatened.

Adalee took a deep breath. “I don’t need your support, Don. Not like I ever really had it. And you can shove my job up your ass.”

Don’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “You’re making a huge mistake, Adalee. When you come crawling back, don’t expect any sympathy from me. I’m done with you!”

She slammed her laptop shut, cutting off his tirade. The room was silent except for her quiet sobs. I crossed the room in a few strides and pulled her into my arms. Anger surged through me, hot and relentless, at the way Don had spoken to her. She was sobbing in my embrace, her body shaking with each breath. I held her tighter, wishing I could shield her from all the hurt and pain that man had caused.

After a few minutes, her sobs began to ease. The tremors in her body subsided, and her breathing slowly returned to normal. I lifted her into my arms, feeling her relax slightly against me, and carried her to the bed. Gently, I laid her down and then joined her, our arms and legs intertwining as our eyes met.

“Your dad is a dickhead, cupcake,” I said, my voice low and filled with anger.

A small smile played on her lips despite everything. “Yeah, I’ve always known it, but it’s still shocking what he just did. I didn’t think he was going to fire me for being with you.”

“How the hell did he even know about us?” I asked, incredulous.

“The cameras in the common room. They livestream right back to the studio. He happened to be checking footage and saw us.”

“Jesus,” I muttered, shaking my head.

Adalee sighed. “Whatever. It’s not like we were trying to hide it, right?”

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her skin. “No, but I guess I didn’t realize you were going to lose your job because of me.”

“Yeah, good old Don knows how to take everything away when he gets mad.”

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