After the headache-inducing meeting with his final client, William scrambled to grab his belongings. For the first time in weeks, he hadn’t even bothered to tidy up his workspace. After locking the door, he rushed to the office space’s exit.

A few surrounding coworkers watched in silence.

One woman whispered to another, “Geez, what’s up with Raglan today?”

As soon as he’d exited the complex, William made a beeline for his purple car. He threw the door open, jumped right in, and sped away.

Upon entering his home, he placed his glasses on the nearby stand. He paced around his living room while grumbling a slew of curses beneath his breath. Despite his aimless wandering, however, his gaze never left the front door.

Any minute now, Vanessa!

The front door swung open with a whoosh! as Vanessa stepped in. She arrived with an air of hesitance—the same kind you’d see in a puppy with its tail between its legs.

“I’m sorry if I’m a few minutes late, I-”

“Vanessa,” William said as he approached his daughter. “What the hell are you thinking?!”

Vanessa backed away in baby steps. With glossy eyes, she met her father’s predatory gaze.

“Nothing like that, Dad!” Vanessa replied with a small gulp. “I already told you earlier that we’re just discussing some job-related matters. That’s it.”

“Really?” He scoffed before he stepped closer. “Then why haven’t you had breakfast with Bob? Or any of the others? Hmm?”

Vanessa averted her eyes to the floor. Her breath picked up in a deep, rapid pace while she melted beneath her father’s pressure.

William perked an eyebrow as if expecting a quicker reply.

At last, she mumbled, “Well, things are different right now—things have been different with all of them. Different circumstances, you know.”

“Well, that one took awhile!” William sneered.

Vanessa froze. Her lips tightened into something of a wobbling line.

She muttered, “I’m sorry.”

Vanessa’s breath caught in a sharp gasp as William grabbed her by the waist. He pulled her close—just inches before him. William’s thick, hot body heat made Vanessa’s skin crawl.

“I am not letting you settle for a loser like him,” William scoffed. “Do you understand?”

“I do, Dad,” Vanessa stuttered. “And I promise it won’t happen again.”

“That’s more like it,” William said with a sly grin.

A cold sweat trickled over Vanessa’s spine as her father’s hand trailed further down.

“You’re mine, Vanessa—always,” William said while tightening his grip into a firm squeeze. “And you will do exactly as I say.”