“Can I see you in my office?” He sounded pissed.
The other women in the back snickered at her and whispered behind their hands. She couldn’t make out what they had said because she was focused on Dante’s retreating back. He didn’t even bother to wait to see if she could come. He left and expected her to follow.
She didn’t like how he was treating her. Madison decided she would go up to see him when it would be her normal time.
She dropped off her music with the DJ and let Zoe know she would be right back. She went up the stairs to Dante’s office. The door was cracked open and she knocked on it.
“Come in.” His voice sounded strained.
She pushed the door open and found him seated behind his desk.
“Close the door.”
She didn’t know why he told her that. She always closed and locked the door behind her when she came in for one of their “talks.” She did as he said and locked the door like usual.
“Come here.” His hands were in fists on the desk.
That was the final straw. She didn’t like his tone. It was an order or a harsh command. Not a statement or invitation.
“What’s wrong?”
“Come here.”
“No. I’m not a dog. Why are you talking to me like this?”
“Where the fuck were you?” His knuckles were white with how hard he was squeezing.
“First, I don’t like your tone and second, don’t cuss at me. I was at my place, why?”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“I didn’t hear it ring.” She looked down at her phone to see all the missed calls and texts from Dante along with the ones from Sabrina.
“Why did you go home? You were supposed to walk here from the bus stop.”
“Because I’m an adult.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I can do what I want. You’re not my father.”
“I know I’m not, but I’m your man.” He slapped his hand down on his desk
“But you’re not, and you’re also being a dick.”
“I’m sorry, I was worried.”
“Why?”
“When you didn’t get here, I worried that something had happened to you.”
“Oh.”
“Come here, please.”
She walked over to him and he moved his chair from behind the desk to turn it to the side so that she could stand in the cradle of his thighs. He tugged her down onto his lap and wrapped one arm around her.
Madison was stiff in his arms. He cupped her face and looked into her eyes.
