Page 47 of Daddy's Bossy Best Friend

“Are you going to fire him, then?

“I’m having him arrested,” my father said. “The cops will be here any minute.”

I sighed in relief. “That’s good. I’ll feel safer.”

“What do you mean, safer? Did he do something to you?” His face was angry now. I knew it wasn’t at me, but it was still something to behold.

Tears started streaming down my eyes. “I think he’s been stalking me for the past few days,” I admitted. “Coming to my office at all times of day, texting me all the time. And his texts were getting more and more forceful. And then…”

His face was red now and his fists were closed by his side. “What happened, Mags? What did he do to you?”

“I thought it was harmless, dad, I really did, but after he was hit, he followed me outside and started blackmailing me into having sex with him. Said I owed it to him because he took me out to dinner that one time and I refused to kiss him.”

My father was fuming. “That son of a bitch. I should have hit him myself,” he muttered.

I bit my lip, wanting to say more. I wanted advice from my dad, the closest person in my life, the one who knew me the most. But this was a lot for him, and I didn’t want to broach the subject just yet.

“I was so scared, Daddy.”

My father walked toward me and enveloped me in his arms. “I’m sorry that I allowed a man like that to work here, darling. Forgive me?”

I pressed my face into my father’s shoulder, tears running down my face. “It’s not your fault, Daddy. He had us all fooled. But it’s over now.” And I could no longer hold in the sobs. Relief that I would be free from Mark and guilt from hiding the truth from my dad were battling inside of me.

“I love you, Magda,” he said warmly, and then when he pulled away, he frowned. “It’s okay, baby. Don’t cry. Everything will be alright soon.”

I wiped my face. “Just a little emotional with everything going on,” I said, and that wasn’t exactly a lie.

My father nodded. “I understand. Take some time to yourself. Take the day off.”

“But the Martinez case—”

“Roarke says you two have it handled.” My father smiled widely. “He’s officially recommending you for partner when the case is done.”

I gave him a wan smile.

“Congratulations, Magpie,” my father said, and then his phone began to ring. He held out a finger to tell me to pause the conversation and answered it.

“The cops are here,” he told me, putting a hand over the phone, and I nodded.

He left my office and I locked the door, feeling fearful about what Mark might say when the cops showed up to arrest him. I heard yelling and a scuffle but I just peeked through the blinds. Mark was resisting arrest. His previously handsome face was screwed up in rage. I couldn’t believe that I had believed him. I had thought him such a nice guy, thought that he actuallylikedme. What a joke.

When things calmed down a bit, I opened the door and Mark saw me and started struggling all over again.

“You! This was you, wasn’t it,” he spat at me. Anger clear on his now distorted face. Then to the room, he yelled, “She’s fucking a partner! Roarke, and maybe Webster too, who knows?”

I felt all the blood drain from my face. My father growled and took Mark by the collar even though he was being cuffed by a police officer.

“I knew Roarke was right about you. I’ve had my eye on you ever since you started here. You’re a liar and a thief.”

Mark had an evil smirk on his face. “You keep telling yourself that while she fucks other guys on your back. You thought you were the only one?” He laughed like a mad man.

“That’s my daughter you’re talking about,” my father hissed.

I thought my father might have hit him if he kept talking but the police dragged him away.

The whole office was staring at the display, and I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing everyone would be talking about how I’d gotten the job through my daddy.

“I’m sorry, darling,” my father said, huffing out a breath. “I was just so angry.”

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