A shrill ringing shreds my happy memory, thrusting me into the now. The cold, hard present that reeks of my father’s cologne. His mouth leaves my neck and he rolls away to grab the phone. Based on the sharp, angry words, something happened with work. He starts yelling at Gareth.
I’m awake.
Here.
Shaking so hard my teeth are chattering. I right my shirt and run out of the bed. Tripping over my own feet, I nearly faceplant. Dad ignores me, too busy barking out orders to Gareth, which is fine by me.
I can escape.
The rush to my bedroom is a disgusted blur. I lock my bedroom door behind me and then strip out of my clothes. The scalding water burning my flesh does nothing to erase the lips and roaming touches that don’t belong on my body. I scrub and scrub and scrub until my skin feels like it’s on fire.
I’m reminded of a time, years ago, where I curled up on the floor of this very shower in such severe pain I thought I was going to die. I’d watched blood color the water and slip down the drain wondering if I could disappear so easily. I don’t remember much about that day aside from Sandra scolding me for nearly freezing to death from staying under the icy spray for so long.
When the water grows cold, I shut it off, wrap up in a warm towel. I can’t shake the oily feeling and continue to tremble almost violently. Other times, I do my best to block it out and think of something else, but my efforts aren’t working this time.
What happened?
Am I broken?
I thought I was strong to endure such horrors, yet here I am losing my shit.
Because I deserve more than this. Being with Ford, I’ve begun to feel not only desired and wanted, but truly cared for. He’s what’s different.
God, I need Ford.
Scrambling from the bathroom, I locate my phone and then go to my dark closet. I crawl to the very back, sitting on some shoes and pressing my back against the wall. I dial his number and try to keep my teeth from chattering.
“Hey,” Ford greets, his voice warm and happy.
The strength I’d been harnessing melts away and I cling to his voice. I need him to hold me up. I’m so tired of holding myself up. I can’t do it anymore.
Tears burst out of me, an ugly sound of despair clawing out of my throat. No words come out. All I can hear are his reassuring words over and over again. I know he’s asking me questions, but I can’t answer them. His voice is enough. I just need his voice.
Until…
“I’m coming over. Give me fifteen minutes or so.”
I sniffle and pop open my eyes. “Y-You’re coming over?”
“You’re upset,” he growls. “I need to make sure you’re okay.”
Selfishly and probably stupidly, I choke out, “Hurry.”
Relief floods through me, though this probably isn’t the best idea. I don’t care. In this moment, I care about one thing. Ford. I need him to hold me and make me feel like I have someone besides a little kid on my side.
Someone strong.
Someone who cares.
Someone like Ford.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Scout
She’s so happy.
Smiling and carefree.
I would smile too if I conned the richest man in New York to put a ring on my finger and put babies in me.
What does Ash have to worry about these days?
Certainly not me.
I’m no longer a threat in her world. Winston made sure of that. My fucked-up knees remind me daily.
She’s safe.
Except now. Not right now. She’s leaving their condo in the city, alone, heading to the baby shower Bryant told me about.
My car is parked on the street not fifty feet from the entrance of the building, giving me a prime view of when she exits. This almost seems too easy.
I’ve already scoped out the location of the restaurant. They don’t have a valet service, but they do have an alleyway that’s used for dropping off affluent clients. It’s private and quiet, however, not at all secure. I’ll make sure to haul ass over there so I can beat her there.
Then, when she’s not expecting it.
Surprise, sis.
I’m back.
Come to claim what’s mine…you.
She stalls, chatting with the doorman. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I tug it out and discover messages from Sparrow and Scout in our group text.
Sparrow: She’s bawling her eyes out!
Sully: What happened?
Sparrow: I don’t know. Trying to figure that out now.
Sparrow: She wants to see me. Fuck.
Sully: I’m on my way there.
I stare at their exchange, pissed that I wasn’t included on this rescue mission. It’s because they’re obsessed with her. They don’t want to fucking share.
Glancing up, I take one long look at Ash, trying to decide what I’m going to do. This is the best opportunity I’ve had in the past year. Am I really going to give it up to see what’s going on with Landry? To make sure I’m not being squeezed out?
“Fuck,” I growl, putting the vehicle in drive.
I peel away from the curb and slowly drive past where Ash is standing. She turns just as I’m driving by and sees me staring at her. The color bleeds from her face. Her entire body tenses.
With two fingers to my brow, I give her a salute and keep driving. My heart is pounding like a drum in my chest. Everything screams in me to pull a U-turn in the middle of the road to go back for her. To drag her into my car and strap her to the seat beside me.
Mine.
Mine.
Mine.
But Landry is also mine. She made that abundantly clear when she came all over my fingers. When she liked the brutality of my touch and whimpered so prettily. Knowing Sparrow and Sully are trying to keep her all for themselves is infuriating. Stingy pricks.
The entire drive to the Croft residential building I replay the tightness of Landry’s cunt, the taste of her juices, the sound of her moans. By the time I arrive, my dick is obscenely hard in my black jeans. I rub at my erection over the denim, trying to ease the need to come.
Out of time.
I can either rub one out with the valet watching, or I can see what Sully is getting up to with our girl. The valet man does a double take, frowning in confusion at me. Pulling out a wad of cash, I shove it in his hand.
“You’re not seeing double. You’re just tired. Keep it close by for me.”
He nods, eyes widening at the money. “Sure thing, man.”
I leave him to it and prowl inside the building. Keeping my head low, I avoid any people on the way to the elevator. My phone buzzes again.
Sully: She’s a wreck, man. Her lip is split. She went to grab her shoes and then we’re going to the gym here in the building so I can talk to her about what happened. I’ll keep you posted.
I quickly Google this building to learn which floor the gym is on. Once I locate it, I exit on that floor and make my way to the gym. There are a couple of people on the elliptical machines and stationary bikes, but the weight area, in a separate room, is empty. I slink past the people working and into the weight area to find a darkened corner behind a giant orange ball.
Now, all I need to do is wait.
Seconds later, Sully rounds the corner, Landry at his side, their hands linked together. Seeing them together like that lights a match inside me. It burns hot and fast, torching all thoughts but one.