I've learned to push down my feelings to try to stay strong emotionally, but this was too much. I felt so exposed, more than I ever have before. My eyes pooled with tears and a sob threatened to leave my chest. I covered my mouth, trying to stay silent so I wouldn't wake Davis.
Natalie:Girl! What the hell is that video? Like did you know you were being recorded? Isn't that your apartment?
I had about twenty texts, all from different friends and acquaintances. Most of these people hadn't talked to me in a while and were now pretending to be close to get the juicy details.
Kade:As sexy as you are, I don't think you wanted everyone to see that. I'm sorry, Lisa. I don't know what's going on, but I'm here for you.
Corbin:Damn girl, if I knew how beautiful you sounded while being fucked, I would have tried to sleep with you sooner. Call me ;)
Avery:What's going on, Lisa? Why would you leak a video of yourself like that? I know that's your apartment, and your camera. I just don't understand why you would do something like this. It's disgusting and I really think you need some help.
Rachel:Tell me who did it! Was it your dad? Jesus, Lisa. I'm so sorry.
Leo:I'll find a way to take it down, Lisa. Don't worry, okay?
It was the last two texts that saved me from spiraling. I read them repeatedly, reminding myself that the people that truly know me would know I would never leak a video like this. Come morning, Lucas and Davis were going to throw a fit like no other. I just hope that I don't drag either of them down with me.
“That's it, he's a dead man. I am done waiting for the law!” Davis was fuming with his hands fisted at his side as he paced with powerful strides.
"Why didn't you tell me he had this video? I could have tried to delete it. I am so sorry, Lisa. Those cameras weren't there when I lived there." Lucas seemed so torn as he talked to me.
I could see he felt terrible for me by the way his eyes shone with pity. It ate at me to be looked at that way. After all, I had gone through to be strong, I didn’t want to be looked at as weak anymore. I never wanted to see pity for me in someone else’s eyes. That wasn’t me anymore.
I was strong.
With that mantra in my mind, I sat straighter, pushing away my embarrassment and focusing on my raging anger for dad.I won’t let this crumble me.My mind was set on bringing Dad down, but no longer through just his ledger. If he wanted to ruin my image, then I would do the same. I would expose him as the cruel asshole he really was.
“Lisa, what are you thinking?” Davis stopped, seeing the grin on my face.
“Revenge.”
“Right there with you, sister,” Liv smiled at me. She had been ready to take down Dad for a while now.
Lucas had told me yesterday to pretend that I knew nothing about her cancer. He said he would do the same until she spoke with him herself. He knew she would fight with him if she found out he forced her doctor to tell him the results.
He doesn't want her arguing with him when she should focus on her health. I could understand that, so I kept my mouth shut and my hugs the same, even though all I wanted to do was hold her tight.
When my eyes met hers, I had to try hard not to show any emotion other than the anger I was feeling for my father. I had an idea, but it would involve seeing Chris and Daniel again. I knew it wasn’t the best idea, but it was the only way my plan would work. Someone would have to come with me, just in case. I couldn’t take on three guys on my own, no matter how much I’ve grown.
“I know you told me all about your dad, but I still can’t believe he did this. What kind of father even keeps a video of his daughter like that?” Izzy was lying on the recliner, with her legs dangling over the arm. The girl never sat right on anything.
“The sick kind,” Davis' voice was as cold as ice as he spoke, chilling me to my core. He wasn’t the gentle Viking before me. No, he was out for blood and I could see it in his gaze and hear it in his voice. He was done with Dad, and for just a moment, I feared what he would do.
“What do you need me to do?” Liv asked, ready for a fight like always.
The three of us that know her secret stiffened at the thought of her fighting now. She has cancer, and didn’t need to be physically fighting anyone. She was going to need her strength for her treatment, whatever it may be. Davis went silent for a moment as he thought. I could tell he was trying to find the right words to tell her she wasn’t fighting without giving away that we knew of her health status.
“You have Abi. Your days of coming into the rescue are small. We have more than enough people on this one, Liv. Sit it out and enjoy my granddaughter.”
Liv seemed ready to argue, but then Lucas grabbed her hand and stared deeply into her eyes. There was so much said between them without a single word ever being uttered. Liv sighed, rolling her eyes as she caved.
“Fine, but I still think I’d be better off helping you guys out.”
“She’s right. I can’t believe you're not letting her join, just because she has a baby,” Izzy the belligerent, always finding something to fight for.
“Not now, Izzy.”
Davis pinched the bridge of his nose, exhausted with all of this. His tolerance was low right now, and Izzy was really testing it. She seemed to catch on, as she didn’t press the matter further.
