“My point is your mother had a wild streak.” His smile falls. “It was why your grandmother disinherited her. Well, that, and she married below her class.”
“Are you planning on disinheriting me?”
“I haven’t yet.”
We share a smile and then I cringe at the thought of Dad watching the news about me. I don’t even know what they’re saying really. I don’t want to know. Surely they can’t actually show the videos.
“How bad is the news?” I ask, dropping my gaze to our joined hands.
“Apparently Constantine is a predator or you’re a gold-digger. The media can’t decide. They’ve alluded to videos but haven’t shown any because, and I quote, ‘It’s unsuitable for all viewers.’” He sighs. “I would have knocked Constantine on his ass, but he wasn’t in his office. If I see him, though, I’m going to hurt him.”
“Don’t,” I say, squeezing his hand. “We did it together. I care about him, Dad. A lot. Everything’s a mess right now, but I’m going to make it right.”
“A mess she says.” Dad groans. “You’re on every website and news station. This is more than a mess. It’s a nightmare.”
“I’m sorry.”
He nods and his brows furl. “Sully and Sparrow are getting discharged tomorrow.”
I flinch at his statement. “And Scout?”
“Manda is trying to keep him out of jail the moment he’s released.”
“He belongs there,” I grumble, peeking up at him. “That night, if Win hadn’t called the police, Scout would have…raped me.” I swallow hard, fighting the tears pooling in my eyes. “Sully and Sparrow wouldn’t have stopped it either. I know this thing with Win is awful, but he’s protected me thus far. I let Leo get inside my head when I should have let Win handle that too.”
Dad’s eyes are pinched closed. “I’m a failure.” His voice cracks. “I brought you into their home. Presented you like a goddamn gift.”
“You didn’t know,” I argue, swallowing down my emotion. “You didn’t. But now that you do, please don’t ever make me see any of them again.”
“Never, but I don’t know what to do about Manda,” he murmurs. “I love her, though this…”
Is too much.
Her children are monsters who’ve hurt his own child.
Choose me, Dad. Please choose me.
“I should get going,” he says after a long pause. “Manda needs me.”
I need you.
My heart cracks down the middle. “Sure, Dad. Of course.”
“I can’t protect you like I thought I could.” His features are pinched with pain. “I’m sorry.”
Why does this feel like he’s giving up?
“She’s never been good to me,” I whisper. “I know you love her—”
He cuts me off with a sharp shake of his head. “I can’t let your problems become mine. You’re an adult now, honey. Act like one.”
I’m stung by his words. Manda has poisoned my father. He’ll never be the dad who raised me. I think I’m finally beginning to realize that. The dad I knew and loved died when he went out on that first date with Manda Mannford and started draining my college fund to impress her. My dad is gone.
His lips press together as he studies me for a long beat. Then, he stands, bends over the table and plants a kiss on the top of my head.
“Let Constantine shield you from this since you wouldn’t be here in the first place if it weren’t for him. He’s the only one with the financial means. I wish it were different, but when your mother married me, we said goodbye to money and chose love instead. I thought it’d be enough, but once again, this damn city waves it in my face reminding me that money rules all.” He waves a hand around him. “Luckily, fate is throwing you a bone and giving you a chance that your own father can’t give you.”
“I don’t care about the stupid money,” I growl, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Don’t be a fool. Money talks. Listen to what it says.” He tips his head. “I love you, but I think it’s best you focus on making this scandal go away and setting your life straight. Manda needs my help right now more than you do. Goodbye, Ash.”
I love you, but…
Love isn’t supposed to come with buts.
It’s supposed to be I love you, period. Full stop. The end.
Minutes after Dad is gone, I’m still sitting there, my heart heavy and dread settling deep in my bones. The loneliness of it is almost too much to bear. I almost don’t notice Nate lurking like the creep he is. His hard expression tells me all I need to know. He’s back to thinking I’m a money-hungry whore and clearly eavesdropped on my conversation. Quickly, I swallow down the overwhelming sadness threatening to do me in and harden myself.
He may think I’m a gold-digger, but I think he’s a sleazy, lying creepy friend who’s a little too interested in Winston’s life. He wants to treat me as though I’m not good enough? Two of us can play this game.
“When’s your birthday, Nate?” I call out. “I thought I’d send you a towel warmer for your bathroom. I went ahead and ordered Win one too. You know, since you rave about them all the time.” And he doesn’t have one like you claim, you nosy motherfucker.
His face darkens. “I’m watching you, bitch.”
“Right back at you, asshole.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Winston
No control.
All it took was seeing Ash and I’m back to being the starved bastard, aching to get her naked and beneath me. I had to send her away to Nate, not because I wanted to punish her, but because if she stayed close to me, I’d end up fucking her.
And that’s not happening.
At least not yet.
I need to get my affairs in order and in control of my maddening thoughts before I even think about sleeping with Ash again.
If I truly were a wise man, I’d cut her off completely. But, like she got me addicted to those damn red gummy bears, she also has me addicted to her. Her taste, her scent, her sexy little mewls when she’s being bad for me.
No one, and I’ve been with a lot of women, has ever come close to pleasing me in all areas of my life. Ash holds her own in conversation and intellect. She’s funny, much to my annoyance most of the time. The girl is fucking hot with perfect tits and a round, bitable ass. She isn’t a bimbo and works hard while at the office. And in the bedroom? She’s a goddamn freak like me.
My kinks are…odd. I know this. But it is what it is.
Ash is the only person to see me at my most vile. The girl doesn’t even balk anymore. She’s eager to play my games and is good at playing them, too.
“Shall I remain nearby?” my driver asks, his eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Please. I don’t anticipate this taking long.”
He gives me a nod, and before I can exit, he stops me. “For what it’s worth, sir, I hope you bring down whoever did this. You don’t deserve this and she certainly doesn’t. I’ve never seen you so happy. Don’t let them take this from you.”