Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“Or something else.” Vince winks.
“Dude, leave her alone,” Noah says, opening the fridge and grabbing two bottles of water.
“What? Just playin’ around. Georgie likes it. Right, babe?”
My hand begins to shake, and I wrap my arms tighter around my waist.
Noah tosses a water to Vince before taking a long sip from his, eyeing me. “No offense, George, but you really don’t look great.”
“Thanks.” I roll my eyes and flip them off.
“Maybe some breakfast will help,” Jackson offers.
“Dude, I’d love some breakfast,” Noah comments.
“Same!” Vince adds, clapping his hands together.
The thought of sitting and eating turns my stomach even more.
“George, you sure you’re okay?”
“Actually, you’re right,” I reply to Noah, keeping my eyes off Jackson. “I’m not feeling that great. I think I’m gonna go lay back down.”
“Are you sure? Do you need anything?” Jackson asks.
I can barely look at him. There’s no hiding how distraught I am, but I’m praying the sickness ploy will mask it. “I’m fine. Thanks.” I turn around to leave as Vince says, “I gotta go grab my AirPods out of your room, Noah. I’ll walk you up, George.”
I want to whip around and slap him in the face. Instead, I continue walking, feeling his presence behind me.
“Georgia, wait up.”
“Don’t fucking talk to me.”
“Oh, but we have a lot to talk about. Either you and me or Noah and me. Your choice.”
I whip around. “What do you want from me?”
“First, I want you to admit what a whore you are. I mean, come on, sleeping with your boyfriend’s daddy?”
“He’s my ex. We’re not dating.”
“You’re right. That makes it so much better.” His sinister laugh makes me sick.
“What is it I can possibly do for you?” I cross my arms over my chest, clenching my fists.
“I need something. And you’re gonna get it for me.”
“What is it? I don’t have money. And I doubt you need any.”
“What I want… well, let’s just say it’s priceless.”
“Spit it out. I don’t have time for this—”
Vince rushes forward, pushing me against the wall. “I think you’re forgetting who’s in charge here, whore.” He raises his arm, taking a strand of hair between his fingertips. I want to push him off and scream, but I can’t without risking Noah or Jackson coming to find me. “Can you imagine how Noah will take this news? Instead of his own son, he takes his son’s ex under his wing, choosing you over his own blood.” He curls my hair around his fingertips. “Really fuckin’ dug at him. Poor Noah being ignored by his own dad while he has all the time for you. I thought it was weird myself. Now, it all makes sense.”
“Get to the fucking point.”
“You have access to his office. Inside the bottom drawer of his desk, there’s a ledger. I want you to get it for me.”
I sneer at his request. “I don’t have access to his things. Newsflash, I’m never alone in his office. There’s no way I can grab something without him knowing.”
“Sounds like a you problem, whore.”
“Fuck you.”
“I mean, at this point, I might as well. I’m the only one in this house you haven’t fucked.”
My hands twitch to thrust forward and push him down the stairs. “Whatever you think, I still can’t get that ledger.”
“I’m sure you’ll find a way. It’s amazing the things people will do to save themselves.”
“What’s so important about this ledger?”
He releases my hair, and I flinch as he taps his index finger against my nose. “That’s none of your concern. Yours is making sure you don’t destroy a family because you can keep your legs closed. I expect to hear from you on Monday. ’Til then, I really hope you feel better.” He leans in as if he’s going to kiss me, his breath churning my stomach. With a swipe of his tongue, he licks up my neck. Then he turns and jogs down the stairs, leaving me spinning.
Chapter twenty-two
Georgia
Ispend the rest of the weekend holed up in my room, pretending to be sick. It hasn’t been difficult. Given the knot in my stomach, I haven’t even managed to keep water down. Jackson’s growing restlessness is evident. My responses to his texts are brief and clipped, and my door remains locked. I’m nearing the point where I can’t keep up the facade or avoid him. I’m at a loss. How did everything spiral out of control into this mess?
I have two options: confess to Noah or betray Jackson and find a way to get Vince the ledger. What I really want to know is why he wants it. What could be worth going to such lengths to obtain? Whatever it is, I can only conclude it will harm Jackson.
Monday arrives all too quickly. My nerves are shot, and still, I haven’t made a decision. How can I do this to either of them? No matter what I choose, I’m bound to hurt them both.