Page 56 of Bear

“She’s a little under the weather. I gave her a couple days off.”

“You gave her a couple days off? Who the fuck are you to make that decision without running it past me? You must think you’re in charge over there huh? I can’t get back soon enough.”

“No, Dad. It’s not like that. You think I want her getting me sick? I sent her home to get well. Plus, Cecily is in town so I knew they’d want to spend time together.”

“What kind of sick is she, Bear? Do you need to send her on a vacation?” His words pissed me the fuck off.

“Luanne?” I grumbled. “Why the hell would I send her on vacation? She’s sick. Not a traitor.”

“If she gets too fucking sick to do her job then she needs to go on a goddamn vacation. I don’t care how much you love her.” He paused then continued. “You said Cecily is in town?”

“Yeah.” My jaw clenched. I didn’t like the way he said her name.

“Howislittle Cecily? I bet she ain’t little no more, is she? How old is she again? She should be twenty-one, right?”

“Yeah, she’s twenty-one. Why?”

“Tell her to come to my welcome home party. I need some new pussy to break in.”

Fury took flight in my chest, burning through my ribcage and leaving embers in its wake. I make a fist that threatened to sink through time and space just to reach my father. “What?” I chuckled at the absurdity.

“You heard me. I need some new pussy. Young pussy.”

“That shit ain’t happening, Dad. Cecily is my woman.” He grew quiet on the other end then let out a laugh.

“Oh shit. Look at my little bear cub.” The last time I saw my father, I was an inch taller than him and I outweighed him in muscle pound for pound. He could cut that bear cub shit out. “So that’s your pussy? Cool. You remember what happened to Hawk, right? Don’t let these bitches get in your head, son.”

“Joelle was stealing drugs. Cecily isn’t doing anything like that.”

“You know what? I want to test your loyalty, Bear. Family comes before everything, right?” He quizzed. His voice took on a sharp edge that he would no doubt try to spear me with.

“Of course,” I said, trying not to clench my jaw too tight. He’d pick up on it.

“Good. Prove it. Let me fuck Cecily. You shouldn’t care if you’re playing the game right. I mean unless you want to choose her over your father.”

“I can’t make her fuck you, Dad. She’s her own person.”

“Oh, I know how to make bitches do what I want them to do. If she doesn’t comply, I’llmakeher.”

The thought of him forcing Cecily to fuck him had me on my feet pacing the study. “So set that up, son. Oh, and have Luanne call me. If she’s too sick to work then it’s time to find a replacement.” A laugh flew from his lips and it ruffled my scales. I didn’t have feathers. Feathers were for soft and delicate people like Cecily. “Start getting shit ready. I’m about to take my throne back.”

I ended the call and slammed my fist into the wall, cracking the paint and drywall.

“Bear, are you okay?” Cecily rushed in with concern tugging on her features.

“Cecily, go out with Kareema. Spend time with Luanne. We’ll talk when you get back.” My clipped tone didn’t do anything but water the curiosity and worry blooming in her eyes.

“Bear…” She walked up behind me and placed her hand on my back. The moon in my bones pulled the ocean in her veins. Right then I needed her to go away though. I needed to think and calm down. I was a ticking time bomb.

“Go!” My roar swelled until it was too big for both Cecily and it to reside in the same place. When she stumbled backward, her brown eyes flashed hurt and confusion. I didn’t possess the verbiage to explain things to her right then. Not the way they needed to be explained.

She didn’t say anything else, she backed away from the study, closing the door behind her. I knew she would cry once she told Kareema what happened. I knew I’d be the bad guy again.

I was used to being the bad guy.

I would make up for it later.

Later, I would try harder to talk through my anger but right then wasn’t the time for talking.