He nodded and drove in the direction of the exclusive high-rise on the opposite side of the beach from his.
“I’m sorry I barged in last night.” Lynx cleared her throat. “I shouldn’t turn to you. I don’t deserve you, but it’s all getting to me—”
“Babe ...”
“No, don’t say anything. I need to admit I messed up. I went on this one-woman mission, ended up selling my body and my soul. Now, I’m a mess. And I’m being kept by Asher’s money.”
“He’s got a big heart. I can’t let you say that.”
“I know, and Natalie has him by the balls, so he has to. But everyone ... everyone won’t stop talking about you. Even Marta—”
“Marta? She’s not bugging you, is she?” He turned toward her, his eyes searching for the truth.
“No. She wants me to be with you, take care of you, accept you accepting me. Which is crazy. I’m nothing but a washed-up whore.” A single tear fell and dropped onto her tank.
Mike swerved off to the side of the road, slamming the SUV into park before pushing his hand behind her braids and pulling her face close. “Don’t ever fucking say that again. You fucking hear me? You saved your sister.”
Lynx shook her head. “No, Landon did.”
“It’s in the rearview, Lynx. You’re out and safe. Samara is out and safe. It’s time to look forward.”
She couldn’t even look at him. With her gaze fixed out the window, he checked his mirror and pulled out into traffic.
