Author: admin

“Haven’t you been listening?” Mateo asks. “I have. And I’m trying to understand why you don’t just exchange blows with the man who actually hurt you. I’ve met him once. Why am I being punished for something I didn’t do?” He leans forward on his cane, tone condescendingly soft. “Because, pretty, I don’t want to…

Then he reaches for his phone and starts dialing. “You really think you’re cold enough to do this?” he asks. “Threaten to harm a kid and her mother?” “You need to pick a personality, Jade. One minute you’re thirsting for a helpless lady’s blood, and the next you’re shying away from textbook blackmail. We don’t…

The words barely leave my mouth before I realize it’s too late. Daphne’s footsteps hit the stairs fast. I bet she heard Mom’s voice due to all that echoing in the hallway. Her hand is curled around the banister as she climbs. Behind Daphne, my father hurries along. Mom shifts on her feet, clutching her…

He turns around. “Make me forget, Serena. I’m a father now. I can’t be like this. I have to look organized when I see my son, who I didn’t even know existed for twelve years. Would you want to see your father looking this messed up?” “Am I to answer that?” “I don’t care. Make…

I hang up, swallowing the lump in my throat. Downstairs, Grandma is sitting cross-legged on the couch with a glass of wine, watching a fashion show. My dad’s found a shirt-thank God and is perched on the edge of a separate couch, restless. I make my way into the kitchen and grab a juice from…

“You have your books,” he replies, gesturing to the top of the bag like it’s a valid point. “Books. Really?” “There’s TV. Music. A jacuzzi. Champagne.” “Fuck you, Knox.” He smirks and drops to sit on the edge of the bed, eyes trailing me as I stand up and set both bags upright beside me….

I pull back slightly, looking up at him. “A few requests? Like what?” Knox’s arms are still around my waist, and he doesn’t let go. Instead, he presses his lips against my forehead, lingering there for a second before speaking. “First of all, I need you to talk to your father and tell him to…

She reaches the bottom of the stairs and leans in to kiss my cheek. “Your father’s an idiot, child,” she says. She pats my arm gently. “But his heart’s in the right place.” I say nothing. Just wait. “Apparently, your mom miscarried. And the only person she thought to call while at the hospital was…

“Coming from someone with that much forehead,” Hunter replies, “you really shouldn’t be throwing insults.” She’s back to glaring at Hunter. “Your hairline’s receding, you know. You’re going to go bald very soon. Talking about my forehead.” They bicker. Loudly. I just stand there, eyes moving back and forth between the two of them. At…

He drops his gaze to mine, and I reach up and lazily loop both arms around his neck. His body is warm, always warm. My fingers trail along the collar of his shirt as I look up through my lashes. “Okay, Mr. Good-with-Numbers, solve this: One Sloane multiplied by one Knox, divided by one Sloane,…