Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
No, can’t think like that now. I’ve already lost my head once.
You should have remembered my warning, my father’s voice snaps in my mind.
“You see your problem,” Sebastian says.
“I see it,” I agree.
“You must realize how bad this is for you. The Good Samaritan, always so keen on stealing our business so he can give prime real estate to junkies and single moms and, well, more junkies. What if the public learned how creative you are with your money? Don’t just think of Uncle Sam, little man—”
I jump to my feet, slam my fist on the table, and loom over him with my temples pulsing and my heart squeezing my chest tightly. There’s so much hate in my heart, so much ferocity.
He smiles, pleased at my response.
She betrayed me. After everything. She stabbed me in the back.
She’s been playing you this whole time, my trusty distrust informs me. She never wanted you.
“Why?” I snap.
“It’s business,” he replies.
“It’s more than that. Look at your face. You look happier than my father ever was in his entire life.”
He shrugs, giddy, eyes gleaming with victory. “You belong to us now. That’s all you need to worry about.” He makes a tsk noise. “Though, I must say, I’m a little shocked. Your rival’s sister, and still, you let her under your skin. She must’ve given one hell of a blo—”
“Enough,” I say coldly. He closes his mouth, fear replacing the glee. “You’ve got some leverage…” I’ll let him believe those files are real until I decide how to handle this. “But if you insult her, or make any distasteful comments like that, I’ll kill you.”
I see it on his face. The desire to hope I’m bluffing.
And I probably am. I’m not a killer. I’ve tried for so many years to be a good person. But hearing him talk like that about her would break me. And then I’d have to break him.
“You’re mine, little man,” Sebastian says, grabbing his cane and rising to his feet. “When I say jump, you jump. Or these documents will be all over the news, not to mention mailed to every IRS office in the nation. Have I made myself clear?”
I grind my teeth, picturing Izzy looking at me with her bright, love-filled eyes during our date. But no, they were never love-filled. I only saw what she wanted me to see. This whole time, I’ve been a sucker. Just like with Uncle Seb when I was a kid, just like my father.
“I understand,” I snarl.
Once Sebastian has left, I grab my desk and flip it over.
CHAPTER 19
IZZY
Dominic: Are you awake?
Dom’s text comes as I’m walking across the parking lot to my car. I lean against the car, looking at the hospital. Grandma is safe and sound, sleeping heavily. I had to visit and make sure after the call with the hospital staff. None of them would look at me as I walked down the corridor, not even the nurses or cleaning staff. It’s like they’re all ashamed.
Izzy: It’s not late. I’ve just left the hospital.
Dominic: How is Maggie doing?
I’m touched. Tears threaten to prick my eyes yet again, but I force them away. I’ve felt physically ill ever since handing over those documents to Aaron’s man. And still, I haven’t come clean. A twisted part of me wishes Aaron didn’t have my grandmother as leverage, but what does that mean? What am I even thinking?
Izzy: She’s doing as well as can be expected. She was sleeping. Otherwise, I’m sure she would’ve mentioned you.
Dominic: She’s a funny, kind, beautiful woman. Just like her granddaughter. I need to see you, Isabella.
Izzy: It’s late and I’m still a little sore from yes—
I stop typing, rereading his message. Isabella. Since when has he called me that? I can’t think of a single time he’s used my full first name. I delete my message and ask something I know will be my unraveling.
Izzy: Is something wrong?
Dominic: Unfortunately, yes. I’ll come to your apartment.
Izzy: I’m not there.
Dominic: Then I’ll wait.
I can feel his rage through the phone.
Izzy: Maybe we could just text?
I feel like a coward the moment I send the message. His reply cuts sharply.
Dominic: After all the lies, Isabella, don’t you think you owe me this? In person?
I shudder, feeling like all the air’s been sucked from my lungs. There can be no question about it now. He clearly knows what I’ve done. He clearly knows what I am. A liar. A traitor. A woman who had the best sex of her life with the man she stabbed in the back.
Izzy: You’re right. I’m driving home now.
As I drive home, I stop fighting the tears. Ever since Grandma got sick—then Aaron started bullying and blackmailing me—I’ve hated myself for crying. It’s felt like weakness. But now? I let the tears fall.
This romance was like a hot air balloon, filling and filling, with me telling myself we’d just fly away. But the whole time, I knew it was going to burst. I knew, and I did nothing to stop it.