Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 157848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 789(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 789(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Why didn’t you give it up? Let me be me? Speak up? Do you know how hard I worked? The mental and physical pressure I put myself through? Why didn’t you help me then?”
“Because I’m weak and you deserved much more. I couldn’t take the chance Natasha and Karen would blame and punish you if I walked away. It wasn’t until the Presidential conversation that I’d had enough.”
Many times over the years, I’ve thought about what I’d say to him if given the chance. Right now, my mind is blank space. Screaming, crying, clawing out, and blaming him will change nothing.
My grievances were buried a long time ago.
Hearing of Karen’s long-time infidelity and pursuit of power gives me a new outlook into their lives.
“I’m sorry about your marriage, Marco. When are you filing for divorce?”
“Not until after leaving office.”
“That makes sense. Less talk and controversy.”
“It should be an easy dissolution. We’ve already worked out the arrangements. She’ll get the house in Virginia and our finances are settled.”
“She’ll get the house? Where will you live?”
“Thought you already knew.” He grins coyly. “I’m coming to Charleston.”
“That’s very presumptive.”
“You could never give me any more than today and I’d stay close. You building this life is all I ever wanted.”
An unexplained warmth ripples through me, but my attention turns to the elephant-stomping coming from the stairs. We both turn and there’s a split-second to see Evin’s nuclear expression before my body is jerked protectively behind Marco.
“What’s happening?” Marco shuffles back a half step, his stance covering me and blocking my view.
“We’ve got a problem.” Evin comes to my side, his eyes so hard and sharp, fear seizes my insides. Hatred like this could only mean one thing.
“Tasha…” my words are drowned out.
“Shit, let me go.” The smarmy voice of familiarity slithers in the air, sending my stomach plummeting and my anxiety spiking at the same time.
Evin’s jaw ticks, and when my fingers lace with his, there’s no reaction.
This pisses me off.
She doesn’t get to ruin this day.
She doesn’t get to waltz into my building and taint it.
She does not have the upper hand any longer.
I nudge the two men, creating a sliver of space to slip through. It takes effort not to gasp at the image of the woman standing there.
She’s always had a gorgeous figure, but now she’s skin and bones, her curves gone. Her complexion is washed out and her eyes hollow and bleak.
“Good God, what happened to you?”
Evin's hand turns into a vice around mine, and Tasha’s already agitated state turns lethal.
“Are you… are you on drugs?”
“Fuck you.” She struggles against Grady’s hold.
“Poppy,” Evin growls, trying to tug me back.
“Tasha, why are you here?” I try again, noticing her twitch.
“Because I’m done with all this bullshit.”
“You need to be more specific.”
She scuffles again, going for an elbow to Grady’s side but he dodges. “Call this buffoon off of me, Dad.”
“Natasha, we should go back to my hotel and discuss what is on your mind,” Marco suggests cautiously.
Her flinch is almost imperceptible, but it speaks volumes. “She’s not welcome at the Brasher.”
“You did that, you bitch.”
Evin’s rage notches up and he grumbles, “Get her the hell out of my building.”
She slings her gaze to him, and my protective instincts lock into place.
“I didn’t do it. But you’ll find that most hotels in the area feel the same.”
“You don’t have the power to ban me from an entire town, especially with the Governor as my dad.”
I roll my eyes. “If you’re playing the elitist card, you may want to ditch the junkie appearance. It’s not exactly attractive on you. Accept the fact you’ve lost whatever game you’re playing.”
“You don’t get to destroy everything I’ve worked for!” she screams at me, lunging unsuccessful out of Grady’s clutch.
“Destroy everything you’ve worked for? Look what you did to me! I actually had a life and future that didn’t include laying on my back to get ahead.” The tactless insult flies past my lips before I can stop it.
She glowers, her eyes searing into me. “You may have landed the perpetual playboy of this city with your whole virgin innocence act, but you’re nothing but a washed-up circus performer.”
Blistery hot fury electrifies in the space from all three men.
“Get her whacked ass out of here,” Evin barely grates out, raw and unfiltered loathing in his voice.
“Either you make this right, Caitlyn, or I’ll obliterate your pathetic hippie ass. You won’t even be able to buy flowers for that nasty color-wheeled head—”
“Enough!” Marco’s forceful demand is met with silence. His eyes meet mine and I immediately feel his guilt, sorrow, and sense of obligation. He’s torn between a daughter he neglected and a daughter he enabled.
I reach over and squeeze his hand, trying to relay my understanding. He clutches tight, his gaze sending an unspoken apology.
“Something’s wrong. She’s not well. You need to take care of her,” I speak low, not wanting to set her off more.