“You sure?”I prod.“Because I know I told you to do whatever you needed?—”
“I didn’t kiss him, Ford.I barely touched him,” she clarifies.
She touched him?Something sharp and hard burrows between my ribs, and I rub at the ache, refusing to lash out no matter how much I want to.After all, I made this bed.Now, I have to lie in it.
“Where’d you touch him?”I ask, attempting to keep my voice calm, though I have no idea if I’m successful.Inside?Inside, I’m fucking losing it.
Another tinkling laugh echoes through the phone.“I touched his wrist, and when he asked if we were still together, I couldn’t lie, so I dodged the question entirely.Now, can we get on with the real reason I’m calling?”
The real reason.Right.Because torturing myself with potential fallouts like I’ve been doing ever since I asked her to do my family a favor is probably toxic behavior.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, attempting to focus on my sperm donor’s pending demise instead of the image of June touching Bryan’s wrist while wearing a sexy top in a crowded bar.Yes, I asked Roman to send me pictures, and yes, I’m a glutton for punishment.
“Go on,” I push.
“Long story short, as soon as I pointed out that Titas was willing to throw his own boys under the bus, Bryan realized putting any trust in a guy like him was probably a bad idea, so he told me everything.”
My brows raise toward my hairline.Logical.Straightforward.To the point.“Damn, you’re smart,” I tell her.
“Just don’t make me do math.”
With a smirk, I shift my cell to my other ear and look up at the ominous building in front of me.“Never.Now, tell me everything he said.”
It doesn’t take long for her to fill me in.As soon as she’s finished, I tell June I love her, end the call, and tap my cell against my chin.It still feels like there’s something missing.The question is, what is it?
Then, it hits me.
Well, shit.I did not see that coming.
Before I can overthink it, I dial a new number.
“Hello?”a feminine voice answers.
Fuck, I hope I’m wrong.
“Hey, Cobes,” I murmur.“We need to talk.”
When I reachthe top floor, the elevator’s double doors glide open, and I walk to my father’s office.Just like they promised, Jagger and Hawke wait outside.Roman’s text was sent to all of us, but I can still discern their anxiousness shining back at me.
“What took you so long?”Jagger demands.“Roman texted twenty minutes ago.”
“Had to make another phone call,” I mutter.
“To whom?”
“Come on.I’ll explain everything.”I push open our father’s door without waiting for an invitation, too amped up to dive into everything twice.
Might as well get it over with.
Daddy Dearest looks up from his computer and quirks his brow.“Ever heard of knocking, son?”
I don’t answer.Why the hell would I?Jagger and Hawke flank my sides, closing the door behind us and locking it for good measure.As the lock clicks into place, Daddy Dearest’s gaze darkens.It’s a look I’ve seen countless times.One hinting at how close he is to the edge.
Buckle up, asshole.We’re just getting started.
I look around his office, then glance back at Jagger sitting on one of the armchairs set in front of our sperm donor’s desk.“I don’t know, man.Even with the paint and new furniture, I still feel like it’ll be hard to get rid of the stink.”
Jagger laces his fingers behind his head and leans back in the chair.“I know, but someone’s gotta take it.”
