Precious Legacy (The Notorious Legacy #1)

Chapter 19

NINETEEN

I don’t like surprises. All it took was that one night to make me despise them—one night to teach me that evil can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

After bumping into Ashton Greedy, I’m a ticking time bomb of emotions, ready to explode. I thought I’d be okay with Roman here beside me, holding me and keeping me safe. But I haven’t slept a wink.

Even after the earth shattering orgasms and the damn initial he carved into my thigh, it’s safe to say that Roman’s still pissed about me leaving the fight night without telling anyone. It’s not like I was planning to make a quick exit, and I did return. It might’ve been because they found me, but at least I didn’t completely disappear.

It’s stupid, really. It’s been five years, and I’m still haunted by that moment in my life. For some reason, I can’t let go of that part of me, even though I desperately want to.

Between the secret I’ve been keeping to myself and the shock and fear I’m trying to ignore, I’m exhausted. So when I wake up tangled in Roman’s arms to a loud banging on my apartment door, my whole body goes rigid.

Roman doesn’t even bristle as the noise grows louder and my dad’s voice booms from behind the door.

“Alanis!”

Shit.

Throwing on a tee and shorts, I rush to the door, swinging it wide to find my dad pinning me with a glare. Without a word, he pushes through the doorway, his entire presence swallowing up the small space I call my apartment. With a dark gaze, he scours the open layout—the kitchen that sits beside my living room, the hallway that leads to my bedroom. His eyes flicker with something unfamiliar, like he’s remembering something he’d long forgotten about. Then he returns his attention to me and it’s like a blanket of ice weighing me down.

“We need to talk,” he grumbles.

My skin erupts into a cold sweat. He knows.

I close the door silently, gesturing to the kitchen island. It’s safer there. Closer to the door, or hallway, in case I need to escape. And yes, I know I sound like a coward, but my dad has never come to my apartment in the few years I’ve been here, which means something serious has happened—or it’s about to.

My fight or flight response starts to kick in, my pulse racing as I resist the urge to do the latter. Pulling out a chair for my dad, I round the kitchen island, creating enough distance between us that I can just about breathe.

“Can I get you a drink?” I ask politely, rubbing my sweaty palms over my shorts as I stare at my father expectantly, but he shakes his head. My heart is beating so hard and fast that it feels like it might burst from my chest. There’s nothing quite like an unexpected visit from your dad—while your ex-boyfriend is in the next room—to really get the blood pumping.

I head towards the sink, filling a glass of water and taking heavy gulps. I struggle to swallow past the dry lump in my throat, but I force myself to ignore the crippling fear that sets in my bones, holding me rigid and anxious.

“I’ll just get to the bottom of why I’m here,” he huffs.

The last shred of comfort I was clinging onto dissipates, and all I can do is nod before my father continues.

“I’ve done everything I can to protect this family, Alanis. And I will continue to do that. Your mother and I have dealt with a lot, and I take any threat to this family seriously.” His voice is firm, unwavering and controlled.

I nod again.

“You understand that there are roles within this family, for everyone,” he adds. “Including you.”

“Yes,” I murmur, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heartbeat. At this point I resemble a nodding figurine on the dashboard of a car, but I can’t stop.

“Roles that do not involve jeopardizing the legacy of the families. Jeopardizing our family name and reputation.” He links his fingers together, resting his elbows on the countertop as he stares down at them. “I’ve worked too damn hard for you to destroy that.”

My heart stops. “Me?” I blink back. “I?—”

“I know.” He lifts his head, those hard eyes glowering at me. “You can forget about the lies and secrets, Alanis. I know you want to join the Police. I know you want to follow in your aunt’s footsteps and I know you’ve been accepted into the academy.”

“How?” My brows furrow. There’s no way he can know that because…

Footsteps sound from the hall, and my gaze latches onto Roman standing awkwardly as he runs a hand through his ruffled hair.

In that moment, fear no longer resides in my body. Rage and hurt and the urge to punch something takes up residence, instead. Him.

“It wasn’t Roman.”

I snap my head back to my father. I have no words, nothing that could even diffuse this situation. Dad knows , and judging from the look on his face, he didn’t really come here for a conversation about my career prospects.

“You think I don’t still have contacts?” My father sighs, his brow arched in accusation. He’s not at all perturbed by the fact Roman’s even here, walking out of my room in just his boxers. “I’m just disappointed I had to find out from someone else.”

I swallow thickly, glancing nervously at Roman, who offers me a weak smile in return. He’s still handsome even when he has that sheepish look on his face. His taut abs are covered in scratch marks from our crazy night together. Fuck, I don’t need this distraction right now.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I should have told you. I tried to tell you last week, but…”

“It doesn’t matter,” he huffs. “I’m here to tell you it’s not going to happen.”

The whole room grows colder as my dad fixes me with a stern glare. There’s a warning in his gaze, a threat to the silence that fills the room, and all the while, Roman just stands there awkwardly, watching our interaction unfold catastrophically.

“What?” I choke out. “You can’t?—”

“It’s not happening, Alanis! I accepted your reluctance to be involved with the family businesses, even changing your fucking name, but working for the enemy is something I won’t tolerate.”

“Dad,” I plead softly, my voice cracking under the weight of his command.

He pushes up from his chair, his stance just as angry as his face. Though he contains it well, I clearly haven’t inherited that trait, because all the emotions I’ve been pushing away for so long come rushing through me like a tidal wave.

“Dad!” My tone grows fierce.

“We’re done talking, Alanis.” He turns and heads towards the door, but this conversation is far from over. He can’t just walk into my apartment and tell me I’m not going to join the academy. It’s done already. I have one week before my induction day, and I’m dead set on being there.

“No, we’re not! I want to do this. I’m going to do this!”

“No, you’re not, Alanis,” Dad orders through gritted teeth. “I forbid it.”

Air stutters in my lungs as I absorb those three words. “You forbid it?” I laugh. “You forbid your twenty-two year old daughter from doing something she’s worked hard to accomplish? Why can’t you be happy for me?”

“Because you’re not thinking things through! You think I’m going to be happy for you when you’re making stupid decisions?” He spins around and points an accusatory finger at Roman. “And you fucking knew?”

Roman steps forward in silent surrender. “Axel, I?—”

“Enough!” Dad bellows, cutting him off, his eyes still locked on mine. “You’re being stupid and I’ve had enough of it!”

“Stupid?” I scream at him, my fists clenching by my sides. “I’m stupid for wanting a career?”

My father advances until the only thing between us is the kitchen island. “You’re stupid for putting this family in danger!” he rages, slamming his fists against the counter top. “What you’re doing is dangerous!”

“Our family has always been in danger, Dad! Me joining the police won’t change that.” My chest heaves as I struggle to contain my fury. This whole time, my dad knew. He knew, and he still made me feel like shit last week. I feel the sting of tears burn my eyes as I stare at him, unable to fathom how he could be so cruel. This isn’t just about me anymore. This is about him betraying me. He can use the excuse that I provoked him all he wants, but ultimately, the hurt comes from him.

“Alanis,” Roman says calmly. I hadn’t even noticed that he’d moved from the hallway to stand beside me.

“This isn’t your decision,” I croak at my father. “It’s mine!” I feel my cheeks flare with furious heat.

“Like hell it isn’t! You’re my daughter!”

I flinch at my dad’s words, grimacing at the possessive tone that underscores each word. We’re fighting fire with fire, our rage filling the atmosphere. “And I’m not a kid anymore!” A tear rolls down my cheek. I swipe it away angrily, not caring that I’m now crying. “You can’t control me, so stop trying to!”

“It’s my job to keep you under control,” he sneers, pressing his finger to the counter top.

“Your job is to be my damn father and support me!”

“Well, you’re not getting my support for this. You’re being reckless. If you want to betray your brother, the families and what we stand for, then you’re finally going to get your wish. You’re no longer considered a part of this family.” He spins around once more, his footsteps clipping against the hardwood flooring so loudly that I’m sure my neighbors can hear. As soon as he reaches the doorway, he stops, glancing over his shoulder at Roman. He now has his arm around me, pulling me against his warm, bare chest. “You and I will be talking, too,” Dad warns.

Nobody speaks, but I’m certain Roman acknowledges the threat in my dad’s tone before the door slams shut and I collapse onto the kitchen floor.

Sobs wrack my body, my chest feeling like an elephant is sitting on it. I knew it would be hard for me to come clean to my parents; even more so for my father to understand my motives. But he didn’t even give me the chance to explain. All he sees is me betraying the family and putting them at risk; something I’d never do unless I had a valid reason.

Hugging my knees to my chest, I let my head drop and release a breath that only partially soothes the pain from my dad’s words. An arm slides over my shoulders and warmth envelops me as Roman maneuvers me into his lap. I’m caged in his embrace, and he allows me to release every tear and sob until I’m exhausted and numb.

Did I mention that I don’t like surprises?