Despite her aggressive words, she was almost whispering, and Toby could hear crickets chirping in the background. He guessed she was on the reserve behind the DaSilva property, keeping her voice low so her sisters wouldn’t hear. He didn’t understand why she was being so cloak and dagger about the tattoo, but she was clearly trying to keep Sam and Nicole out of the picture.
“I’m not a class traitor,” he said. “I made some money and I’m trying not to be an asshole about it.”
“Yeah, you can really tell from your car. And podcast. And cunt hairdo.”
Toby grinned, the sensation so unfamiliar it must have been ages since he’d last done it. “How’d you know about my Lambo? Been Insta-stalking me?”
A loud gagging sound. “Did you just unironically use the word ‘Lambo?’”
“Yes.”
Another gagging sound. “You’re such a fuckingballbag. How do you even live with yourself?”
“One day at a time, like everyone else.” Toby sat back in his chair. “Did you get in contact just to insult me, Tabitha, or do you have some new long-distance location you want to send me to?”
“Yeah, you’re gonna love it. It’s called hell.”
“Good one.”
“Cheers.”
There was a pause, and Toby let the seconds unspool like he didn’t give a fuck. Thank Christ, Tabby couldn’t hear his pulse…
“So, like… I want… I would consider doing your tat,” Tabby muttered. She sounded like a kid in the school nurse’s office, confessing she’d had ‘an accident.’
Toby thrust a silent fist into the air. “Cool. When?”
“Hang fire. I want more money like you promised. Thirteen thousand. Cash.”
“Sure.”
“Just like that?”
His smile grew wider. “Just like that.”
Worried Tabby would talk herself out of following through, he cut to the chase. “Do the design over the next couple of days, and I’ll text you my address. I’ll give you five grand in cash when you get here, the rest when we finish. Deal?”
“Deal, but?—”
He hung up, his heart hammering. This was it, the moment he’d been waiting for. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to sleep, he stood and headed for his downstairs gym. He’d let Olive and Lily fuck it out, and tomorrow, he’d get them breakfast and end things.
He was done pretending. Done getting experience. It was time to progress the mission to its final stage. He was going to fuck Tabitha DaSilva senseless, give her everything her little sugar baby heart had ever dreamed of, and by the end of the year, she’d have a one-carat diamond permanently parked on her ring finger.
Mrs. Tabitha Tennant.
The thought sent adrenaline coursing through Toby’s blood. It was time to show Tabby he was the man of her dreams and then some.
5
“Ineed to clean something!” Nix sat up, her hands flitting to her hair. “Like, right now!”
Tabby grabbed the back of her t-shirt and pulled her onto the couch. “No, you freakdog!”
Nix struggled, making the faded cotton stretch even further. “I’m not a freakdog! Just let me wipe down the oven! It’ll make me feel better!”
“No, it won’t. Feeling your feelings will.”
“How the fuck would you know?”
