Page 59 of A Bossy Surprise

Then I leave.

As I’m being chauffeured back to the airport, I fire off a quick text to Mom because I might blow up at her if I call.

I can’t believe you told Dad about Brady. I told you about him in confidence.

She responds immediately.

I’m sorry. I figured you had told him already. I only called him because I want to send a present to Brady and I wanted to know if he wanted to send something together as his grandparents.

When I read her text, I’m satisfied by her explanation.

Perhaps this is my fault. I should’ve made it clear that I didn’t want her to tell Dad.

I slip my phone into my pocket. I’ll call her later.

However it happened, Dad knows. The man is such a force of nature. He’s going to want to take control of Brady’s life the way he tried to with me.

I’m going to have to protect my son from my father, because as upset as he sounds, I’m sure deep down he’s having visions of what Brady means for the Grant Empire.

Even though he’s never come out and said it, I know he’s always worried about whether or not I would have children. Continuing the Grant name is something that is very important to him. It’s the reason he so vigorously pushed me towards Rachel.

I’m going to have to make it very clear to him that Brady is my son and not a tool for him to use in whatever way he sees fit.

I will have that conversation soon. The reason I didn’t say it to his face just now is that he’s already flipping out. It’s probably not the best time to let him know how I feel about his involvement in my son’s life.

That day is coming, and I do not look forward to it.

17

KAYLA

I’m boiling. I can’t believe the audacity.

I barge into Isaac’s office.

He is the Neanderthal who was called up to replace Maurice. I don’t know why, because I feel like Maurice’s departure was an opportunity to fill the position with someone who actually knows what they’re doing. Instead, with Isaac, we get Maurice 2.0.

“Isaac, I was just speaking to Janine and she told me you asked her to drop the story about corporate interests in DC from our news bulletin. Is that true?”

“Yes, it is,” he answers matter-of-factly.

“Why are you instructing my producers?”

He pushes his reading glasses up his nose and gives me a condescending smile. “I know you are Director of News, but I’ve been in this business longer than you’ve been alive. I have expertise you can’t even begin to dream of. We’ve run too many stories attacking politicians. It’s enough now. That story will come back to bite us in the ass.”

“How?”

“Accusing government officials of taking bribes from corporate groups, at the very least will alienate us from them; politicians in DC will start limiting our access. I don’t think that would be good for us in an election year, and at the very worst, it would paint a target on our backs. They could come after us legally and tie us up in lawsuits and drain our coffers for months, if not years, to come.”

“I’m well aware of what could happen if we run that story, but I chose to run it anyway. It’s not for you to come and tell my people how to do their jobs.”

“Can you explain to me why you want to run that story even with all the consequences that could befall us?”

“I want to run that story because—” When I realize what I’m about to do, I stop myself. “Actually, I don’t have to explain to you why I make the decisions I make in my department. I don’t ask you to explain your choices to me. So don’t ask me to explain mine to you.”

“I don’t have to explain any of my moves to anyone because I make reasonable decisions.”

I wish it wasn’t illegal to thump someone upside the head.