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)
Unlike earlier when I thought I’d melt from the inside out…
Don’t think.
Run.
I force the images from this morning out of my mind. There’s no logical explanation for me to grasp onto that says what happened was okay in any way, shape, or form. I mean, for fuck’s sake, it was bad enough defiling my sweet stepdaughter. But to tag team her with my own flesh and blood?
Bile creeps up my throat, forcing me to stop. I bend over, elbows on my knees, and breathe heavily, trying to keep from vomiting on the trail.
I could have stopped it.
I could have, at the very least, sent Spencer away or carried Aubrey to my room.
That didn’t happen, though. I was so goddamn alive with the need to prove she was mine to my own son. Apparently, he felt that same need. It was a battle of wills—an immoral competition—between me and my kid to have the girl we’ve both been obsessing over.
My feet begin moving again, driving me faster along the trail.
What we did can’t happen again. It just can’t. If she wants to fuck Spencer when I’m not around, it’ll suck knowing she doesn’t want just me, but I’ll deal with it. Then, when I’m alone with her, I’ll be able to do whatever the hell I want with her without this sick, gnawing feeling in my gut.
If she’ll stay…
I can’t believe she packed up and was fully prepared to leave us. She thinks Tasha’s accident was her fault. Spencer and I both know that’s bullshit. This stalker of hers is terrorizing her at every turn, but that’s in no way her fault.
It was on the tip of my tongue to blurt out what’d been happening with her to the police last night. They suspected foul play and were trying to gather any information to help on their case until their primary witness was out of surgery. I could have told them about Aubrey’s text or the snake.
Then what?
They’d be no closer to finding out who did this and then more of our business would be spread to the world. This shit that’s going on between the three of us does not need to get out.
I stumble over a root that’s always been on my path. Even when I was a kid, I’d jump over it at the exact moment. Today, I nearly face-plant. Trotting to a halt, I run my fingers through my sweaty hair and bark out a harsh laugh.
I’m considering running back up the mountain trail again when I see a squad car rolling up our road and parking in front of the house.
What the fuck?
I take off in a sprint, racing across Callum’s yard and into my own. By the time I reach it, I’m confused by the scene in front of me.
Aubrey is standing between some guy on the grass and Dempsey, who’s red-faced and pissed based on his pacing. Spencer, arms folded over his chest, stands in front of them, waiting for the cop to make her way across the yard.
“What happened?” I demand, eyes on Aubrey as I speak to my son.
Don’t think about watching Aubrey fuck him earlier. Don’t fucking think about it.
“Aubrey’s boyfriend came to visit. Dempsey lost his shit.”
Sloane, with her blond hair tied neatly in a bun and fully dressed in uniform, walks up to us. “You guys want to tell me why there’s a bloody man in your front yard?” She cuts her hard, no-nonsense eyes to me. “For a man running for office, this is terrible timing, Hugo.”
“Which is why we called you, Officer Killjoy,” Spencer says in a droll tone.
I shoot him a sharp look that could get him to behave when he was a kid. Now, he’s out of control and a goddamn adult. My looks won’t do shit.
He smirks, a devious knowing glint in his eyes. I’m forced to look away, choosing instead to glance over at Aubrey and then at the bloody asshole on the ground.
“That guy right there is the reason Tony kicked Aubrey out,” Spencer explains. “Tony got pissed when she fucked his boss. Say hi to Ben the Trespasser.” He waves at the groaning guy who doesn’t wave back.
“Is this the guy who put a snake in her bed?” I ask, anger igniting in my gut.
Before Spencer can answer, Sloane steps forward. “A snake? What the hell, Hugo?”
The last thing I want to do is involve the police, even Jamie’s best friend, Sloane, but I’m at my wits’ end with this whole situation. At least I know she’ll be discreet.
I quickly fill her in on all the shit that’s been happening lately, making sure to leave off the part with the pictures of both me and my son each with Aubrey.
Sloane’s eyes widen when I tell her about Tasha. Everyone in this town knows Harold and Tasha Portman. They’re influential and have money just like the Parks. Difference is, we own most of the real estate here, making it our town in which they live in.