“Whoa, Princess. It’s ten a.m.” He stands, walking to me.
“Just taking the edge off, Cos. Chill. Care to join me?” I grin, motioning towards the shower, and his eyes go round.
“I-” he stutters, but the door opens, and Jaxx strolls in, followed by Abel.
“Rise and shine, baby. Time to head home.” Jaxx steps over, hugging me, and I plaster on a smile.
“Andrew wants to see you, Darlin’. Breakfast?” Abel lifts two bags and a carafe of coffee, waggling his brows.
“Perfect. I’m going to shower and dress. Can you guys call down for my things to be packed up and delivered to the house?” I walk into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I really hope drunk me didn’t run her loud ass mouth last night. That whiney bitch needs to learn how to shut the fuck up.
Costin
“She smells like a fucking brewery,” Jaxx hisses as soon as the door closes behind her.
“That’s because I’m pretty sure she has spent the past week drinking nonstop.” I pace.
“How many fucking bottles did she order?” Abel walks around, gathering the empty containers and setting them on the counter, one by one. “There are ten here so far. Anyone see any food?”
We all look around. “Half a pizza.” Jaxx holds up a box.
“That’s it? We have to do better, guys. She’s self-destructing right under our noses,” I huff, falling into a chair and pulling at my hair. “Last night was…”
“Was what, Costin?” Eliana walks out of the bathroom in nothing but a bra and panties while running a brush through her hair.
“Princess, you were wasted.”
“So? I was bored.” She shrugs. “Jaxx, sweetie, can you pass me the sequined pink Armani?”
He walks it over, helping her step into it and zipping up the back.
“Stunning.” He runs a hand down her arm, and I resist the urge to rip it from his body. “What is the occasion?”
“Going to see Daddy, and you know I always like to sparkle.” She laughs. “Manolo Blahnik sandals? No, silver please.”
Abel hands them over, and she slides them onto her feet and then walks straight to the door with her handbag.
“They are bringing my things, correct? Daddy needs to see how well I listened. I stayed put the whole time… good thing I had the internet and his black card.” She winks, walking out, and we quickly follow.
I don’t know which Eliana this is, but I don’t trust it. Something is brewing, and all I know is that I will damn well be there to catch her when she falls this time.
Chapter Eleven
Eliana
If I have learned anything, it’s that men get straight up dumb when you’re naked… or close to naked. I have also learned that they talk too damn much about the wrong shit. Like who cares how much I drank? What matters is that they left me… again.
Over. It.
It’s time to figure out what Puckett meant. Riddle me this, Eliana… ugh, total shit show. Can’t believe I left these guys at the wheel. Daddy wants me home, coolio. Looks like I am going to be inserting myself into his nasty ass old man parties to get my answers. I hope they are ready for me to shake shit up because I am tired of waiting. At this rate, someone will sweep in and kill me before they figure out anything. Lord forbid they step out of their den of sin long enough to focus on me for once.
Walking into the house, Jaxx places a hand on my back, attempting to guide me to my room. Not this time, baby.
“Or not. Watch this, guys.” I march straight to the basement before they even have a chance to stop me.
Passing the bar, I call over my shoulder, “Hey, Richard! Daddy this way?” When he moves to stand, I laugh. “Don’t get up. I’ll find him.” He is just having a drink, thank God. That could have been hella awkward.
I nearly puke when I find Daddy, though. Dear God, I never think… add this to the ‘can’t unsee’ list. Oh well, go with it I suppose.
“Hey, Daddy. Don’t mind me. I’ll wait. I lean over with a shrug and brush roughly fifteen lines of coke from the glass tabletop with his coat, hop up, sitting and crossing my legs, and then pull out a file, pretending to work on a nail. Okay, part of me is doing it to seem unfazed… the other, more nauseated part of me is avoiding the fact that my dad is getting his dick sucked literally two feet in front of me. Gag. No, mega gag.
“What the fuck?” Daddy yells, and I smile inwardly cause I sure as shit won’t be looking up.
Andrew
“Eliana, get up.” Jaxx places a hand firmly around her arm, and I notice a slight tremble in his hand. He’s scared, good. Time to show them both what happens when he can’t control her.
“Jaxx, baby.” She turns, batting her lashes, probably realizing for the first time today that she is in over her fucking head.
“Yeah, Jaxx, baby,” I mock, “She marched down here. Show her what that entails.”
“Andrew…” Costin begins.
“Both of you.” I laugh. May as well give him a little action. I have been buying him girls that look like Eliana for years. This time, I can save my money and give him the real thing.
“Andrew, you aren’t thinking clearly. She-” Abel stutters. I want to laugh. Fear will get them back in line. Push them just enough.
“No. I am thinking just fine. I am sick as fuck of my daughter throwing these tantrums. You, Eliana, are a Jameson! You have been handed a life sheltered from all of this, but you keep forcing your way back down here. Not even two weeks ago, we had to clean your bloody handprints off most of the house. A murder that only traced back to you.” I narrow my gaze at her. I know she didn’t do it, but there was nothing left for us to gather because she practically rolled through the scene. “So, daughter, step up or get back in line. You can lead like a fucking Jameson, or go back to being my sweet little Poppet. You decide.” I see the resolution in her eyes, and I would be proud if I wasn’t so fucking pissed.
“You heard him,” she sings sweetly, stepping into Costin and pressing her body to his, then reaches behind her and pulls Jaxx to her back. “You too, fiancée.”
This fucking hardheaded girl is definitely my daughter.
Costin leans in, kissing her as Jaxx lowers the strap of her dress, biting her shoulder. When both of their hands ease under her dress, causing her to moan, I snap.
“Take it somewhere private. I won’t have her put on display. Look around you, boys.” I announce, noticing for the first time the crowd that has gathered at the sight of my daughter. “Pick a room, and show her what she’s pushed to be a part of.”
Nodding, Costin throws her over his shoulder and heads up the stairs.
“If we’re finding a bed, it’s not one down here,” Jaxx replies, watching them go.
“Jaxxson,” I call him back as Costin disappears up the stairs with her. “This is your last warning. Get her and keep her under control. She has no idea what she is pushing for. She could have walked into a much different situation today. She is my daughter, my only daughter. Take better fucking care of her.”