Page 40 of Clap Back (Carter Brothers)

The man speaking was Ambrose Dunn, who’d just recently joined the SWAT team.

“Dunny,” Scott started.

“Don’t call me that. You know I don’t like it,” Ambrose snapped. “But I really gotta go. It’s been real.”

Ambrose and Boscoe left without another word.

Scott narrowed his eyes at them.

“Actually,” I heard an unwelcome voice say from the back of the room, “that sounds like a solid plan. You’re dismissed, gentlemen.”

“And ladies,” the newest member of the SWAT team called out.

The room started to empty, and by the time I saw Chief Austin glaring at the newest member, Jacqueline, it was almost completely empty but for me, Jackie, Scott, and Chief Austin.

“Out,” Chief Austin ordered her.

Jackie left without another word, and just as I started to as well, he held up his hand. “What’s this I hear about you dating my daughter?”

I nearly groaned.

Talking to the chief about dating his daughter was not on the list of things I wanted to do with zero sleep, yet there we were.

“It’s new,” I said carefully, not wanting to go into more detail than that without talking to Maven first.

Plus, I was more than aware that Maven and the chief had a bad relationship. I did not want to turn this into a really bad thing before I’d even gotten out of the gates.

I needed Chief Austin to like me because I wanted to keep my job, as well as for it to remain a hostility-free environment. Yet, I also wanted to talk to Maven to see what she thought we should share.

Yet, the way Chief Austin was currently glaring at me, I knew this wasn’t going to turn out the way I wanted it.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s new or old. Stop.” Scott came forward, once again getting into my space.

My brows raised. “I’m sorry, but what? You’re not her keeper, Scott. She’s free to date anyone that she wants to. I’m not using her.”

Chief Austin didn’t seem moved by my assurances, though.

“I do tend to agree with my son,” Chief Austin said, not beating around the bush. “I don’t want you anywhere near my daughter. Make sure you heed this warning.”

Make sure you heed this warning.

Goddamn, but he was such an asshole.

I stiffened my spine. “I’m sorry, but we’re both adults. She’s into me, and I’m into her. I’m not going to back off.”

Chief Austin’s eyes narrowed as he slowly took a step toward me, “How bad do you want to keep your career?”

He was seriously going to take this route?

I snorted. “I can go anywhere to work, Chief Austin. Threats won’t work here.”

He tilted his head, studying me.

I could see the wheels turning, as if he was just trying to find an angle that would work to get me to back off.

“I don’t have to force you to comply. I can do the same thing to her that I’ll do to you.” He paused. “How badly do you care about her and her business?”

I clenched my teeth. “What are you trying to say here?”

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