Page 98 of Cruel Dominion

And what? I wasn’t afraid he’d try to force his way into the house. There was nothing to steal in there and he would have done it already. But I didn’t like his energy. Didn’t want him anywhere near my Ma.

I pulled the door in so he couldn’t see into the apartment. He noticed, trying to peer inside over my head.

“Are you home alone?”

“I don’t know who you are or why you’re here but I’m going to have to ask you respectfully to fuck off.”

He smirked, leaning his weight back like he wanted to get a better look at me.

“I never trusted her to pick the right guy but you’re worse than I expected.”

Play dumb.

“Who are you talking about?”

“You’re Carter Cole, you’re the loser who’s been dating my daughter.”

Well, there it is.

I had to say, getting a look at the man for myself, he didn’t disappoint. He was every inch the monster Anna painted him to be.

“That’s me,” I snarked. “Anna’s not here, if you’re looking for her.”

“I know where she is, and I know where she goes when she sneaks out at night. I’ve known for weeks.”

“Yeah, well we’ve been meeting each other for months so I guess you’re a little slow on the uptake, old man.”

His expression flashed with something that made my stomach sour, but I forced myself to stand taller. I wasn’t about to let this jackass of a father keep me away from the one good thing in my life, but I needed to tread more carefully. I didn’t want to get Anna in any more trouble with him than she already might’ve been.

I’d already told him something he might not have already known. I wouldn’t give him anything else to use against her.

“That stops now. You’re going to break up with her.”

His statement was so abrupt that I laughed.

What the fuck did he think he was doing?

This was clearly a man that was used to getting what he wanted. But he wouldn’t be getting it this time.

“Yeah. Sure. Okay. I’ll make sure I do that.” I flashed him a sarcastic smile.

His haughty stare held like fused steel.

“You think this is a joke?”

He took a deep breath, straightening up like he forgot who he was for a second. Anna told me about her dad and all I knew was that he made her life a living hell. I knew I wasn’t the kind of guy she would usually end up with but shit, miracles happened every day. I had her. I wasn’t going to let her go that easily.

“I’m going to say it one more time. Stay away from my daughter. She’s not…” He looked me up and down again. His lip curled like he wanted to spit. “You’re not good enough for her.”

Yeah, when was he going to tell me something I didn’t know? She was a beautiful, rich girl with the world at her feet. I was just a poor kid who struck gold on the beach.

“Okay, well, thanks for dropping by. If that’s all…?”

I indicated the door and his hand still keeping it open.

He leaned in. “How’s your mother doing, Carter?”

My hand tightened on the doorknob.

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