Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
“Sawyer says he hasn’t seen her in forever,” Tasha accuses, voice rising several octaves. “What the hell is going on around here?”
Aubrey shakes her head. “Sawyer and her parted ways a while back. Did he not tell you?”
For the first time since her arrival, Tasha deflates. It’s one thing to not believe me, but it’s obviously more difficult for her not to believe her precious “niece.”
“Sawyer talks a lot,” Tasha says with a dismissive wave. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with him.”
Aubrey seems to relax at her words, shoulders losing their tension. “I can tell her you stopped by.”
“And called,” Tasha clips out, venom finding its way back into her tone. “Over and over and over again. Sure, we go spells without speaking, especially when me and Harold are traveling in Europe, but never this long.”
“Maybe she’s still mad at you,” Aubrey says, fake wincing. “You know how Mom can be.”
“I suppose we do go through our spats from time to time,” Tasha allows, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles of her skirt. “We’re practically sisters, you know.”
Aubrey grins at her. “I know. That’s why we love you. Maybe I can grab brunch with you another day here soon? It looks like I’ll be staying awhile.”
Satisfied by that, Tasha nods. “Of course, sweetie. We’ll keep in touch.”
They hug and then Tasha stalks out of the house without another word to me. Bye, bitch.
Aubrey closes the door behind her, resting against it. Her brows are furled as she chews on her bottom lip. She’s hot as fuck with her messy hair and rumpled sleep clothes. I’m unable to stop myself from prowling over to her and crowding her against the door.
“Why?” I rumble, voice low and deadly. “Why would you lie for me?”
She goes to shove me away, but I’m unmovable. “For you? I’ve got nothing for you, Spencer. You’re a monster.”
My grin is wide and threatening. “You’re just mad at a little horseplay in the pool, leech? Thought you were tougher than that. Besides, it was payback for fucking up my car.”
Her chin lifts and she glowers at me. “Touch me again and I’ll castrate you in your sleep.”
If only she had the balls to even attempt such a thing.
“And for what it’s worth,” she says, voice dripping with contempt, “I wasn’t protecting you. I was protecting Hugo.”
I slam a palm against the door beside her, but to her credit, she doesn’t flinch. “What’s your end game, hmm? Going to try and fuck him like you fucked every man in LA?”
“Go to hell,” she growls. “You don’t know a thing about me.”
Stepping back, I flash her a knowing grin. “I know you have a thing for older men. A very problematic ‘thing’ for them. Don’t think I won’t protect my father against people like you.”
“People like me?” She glowers at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Gold-digging whores.”
She slaps me hard on the cheek. “Fuck off, Spencer.”
I allow her to storm off…this time.
Hugo
“Go away!”
I’d knocked on Aubrey’s door after my run to see if she wanted to grab a bite to eat, but I am being met with animosity instead, which means only one thing.
Spencer.
He was gone when I got back, but obviously not before terrorizing Aubrey a bit. I swear to God, I’m going to kill him if he keeps that shit up. I put up with a lot from Spencer. A lot. Picking on Aubrey every chance he gets is tiring as hell and needs to stop.
Exhaling heavily, I say, “It’s me, Love.”
Seconds later, the door opens and her sweet scent envelops me. She hasn’t been crying, which is good. However, her eyes flicker with an unnamed emotion—shame perhaps?—and her eyebrows are furled together.
“Oh, hey. Sorry.”
I lean my shoulder against the doorjamb and study her for a beat. “Nothing to be sorry for. I know it’s Spencer.”
Panic contorts her features from frustrated to fearful. The pleading look in her eyes guts me. What the fuck did he do to her?
“What did he say?” she croaks out.
“Nothing,” I say slowly. “I haven’t seen him this morning. I just assumed. And, based on your reaction, I assumed correctly.”
She exhales and her shoulders slump. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine.” I step away from the doorframe, crowding closer to her, unable to stop myself. “Tell me what happened.”
She’s quiet for a moment and then nibbles on her bottom lip. The vulnerable expression on her face reminds me of when she was sixteen, not her now legal age of eighteen. Fixating on her pink lip, I try like hell to keep all the blood from rushing to my overactive cock.
“Tasha came by. She was freaking out about Mom being missing.” Her eyes water. “I lied to her.”
“Why did you lie?” My own voice is slightly hoarse, already knowing the answer. “To protect my campaign.”
She swallows and nods. “Well, to protect you. She didn’t believe Spencer, but she believed me.”