"Duke's dad came to see me."
Chapter 47
Penn
Daisy pressesa hand to my chest, using me as leverage to prop herself up. "Duke's dad? When?"
"Earlier today. When I said I was struggling with something." I lie back, look up at the blade of the ceiling fan.
She's leaning over me, golden hair spilling out around her like a halo. She's an angel, a sassy, funny, feisty, sweet to her core angel. She's everything I could ever need in life. Was it unfair of me to tell her I love her? I can't figure it out. Maybe it would've been kinder to keep it to myself. Let her carry out her convoluted plan, and have the chips fall where they may.
"Hey," Daisy says softly, palming my cheek, urging me to drag my gaze back to hers. "Old man Hampton is the definition of a narcissistic asshole. He should be studied."
Apprehension courses through me. I have to tell her everything he said. Everything he offered. With one exception.
She reaches up, fingers smoothing over the pinch between my eyebrows. "You can't say anything to me about that man that will surprise me."
If only that were true.
"I'll have to give you the background, first."
"Uh-oh," she teases. "There's background?"
My answering smile is lopsided. "I thought I was meeting Hugo at Hen Pecked last night, but?—"
"He ambushed you," Daisy interjects, laughing. "It was guys' night."
"Exactly. So that means you know who else was there."
Daisy nods, her nails dragging over my chest in circles. "Correct."
"Duke got drunk, and mouthy. I walked him out to his car, and he said something shitty. I lost my temper, and?—"
Daisy's eyes are wide. "That's why he has a bruise? He told me he had too much to drink and tripped on the stairs when he came home."
"That's not even a good lie," I say, earning me an open-palmedthwackacross my chest.
"Fast forward to Duke's dad," she says impatiently. "What did he say to you?"
"He's encouraging Duke to press charges against me."
"What? No. Absolutely not." Daisy's head shakes vehemently. "I will put a stop to that."
I smile at her tenacity. Her willingness to go to bat for me. "I appreciate that. You." I stroke her face, running my hand over her bare shoulder. Her breasts, pushed against my ribs, are plump and pressing together. I want to lift her over me, let their softness fall over my face, take one in my mouth.
She taps my chin. "Focus," she grins. "You can have my tits after you tell me about this."
"Busted." I manage a smile, though I'm not feeling exactly happy about what I'm preparing to tell her. "He said he'll buy my old place outright, plus twenty percent."
She sputters an incredulous laugh. "What?"
"Yep."
Daisy's gaze narrows. "And the catch is?"
She knows this family, the way they throw money around to get their way. And now, I'm included in that. It makes me sick.
"I leave town." I say it simply, but there's anger hiding behind my tone.
