Page 53 of Wilde About You

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Sadie

Ihurried upstairs to the bedroom. I still had dirt in my teeth and eyes from the ride. I'd been having so much fun. In the meantime, those assholes had beat the shit out of Ace. Typical selfish Sadie, that was what Dad would be saying. And it seemed he was right. I'd been selfishly enjoying myself with Colin. Aside from Gregor's thugs trespassing, I'd hardly given the picture a second thought. I hadn't even thought about selling it. I'd been so thrilled to have it in my possession, but the whole damn thing was just a big thorn in my side.

Colin came into the room. "What are you doing? Should we call the police? I'm worried that will make it worse."

"I have a plan." I turned to him. "I need to take care of this." It was my way of letting him know I needed privacy. He looked hurt but left the room.

I pressed dial on the unknown number I'd saved. "Hi, it's me. He needs to call off those assholes first. And I need proof of that. Then you and I can meet. I'll send you the time and place. I want this over as much as you."

"I'll call him now," he answered before ending the call.

I sent the address of a nearby coffee shop.

Meet me in two hours. And if I see him anywhere nearby, I'm turning and walking away and I'll launch the picture for the entire world to see.

Understood.

I walked downstairs. Colin and Nate were drinking sodas. I went straight for a glass of water to get the grit out of my teeth.

"I'm going out for a few hours," I said casually.

"Not alone, you're not," Colin said sternly.

"I've been on my own for years⁠—"

He held up his hand to stop my usual speech about my independence. "You're not going alone. Besides, you have no wheels. Are you going to the beach house?"

I was wound so tight, and there was a torrent of tears waiting to break free from their dam, which would definitely not work with the independent image I was trying to conjure. I took a deep breath.

"I'm not going to the beach house, but really, Colin, I need to do this alone."

Right then, a call came through. I answered. "Ace. Are you all right? Are they gone?"

"They got a call and walked out." Ace sounded shaky and in pain. "What the fuck is happening? What the hell have you gotten into? Does this have something to do with Wilde?"

I looked at Colin. I was sure he'd heard Ace through the phone. His jaw tightened, not in anger so much as disappointment. My brother had shown himself to be a toxic friend in so many ways.

"This has nothing to do with Colin. He's been nothing but protective and kind and not the least bit bossy," I said pointedly.

"Look, Sadie, I was walking out to my truck when four big dudes came out of the shrubs and kicked the shit out of me. Then they pulled a gun on me, and this all has to do with you. So don't get bitchy with me."

"Yes, I'm sorry. Are you going to get some medical treatment?"

"Thinking about it. But how do I know they're gone for good? What if they come back and trash the place? Dad is so pissed, he's not even talking to me anymore."

"I'm handling the situation. Just get yourself some medical care. I'll talk to you later."

"Excuse me if I'm not fully trusting the wild little sister who got in more trouble than a barrel of fucking monkeys before she even turned twenty to 'handle the situation.'"

"All right, don't trust me then. Get to a doctor. I'll keep you posted." I hung up.

Colin was still wearing that hardened expression that told me he was tense and frustrated. "You're going to need my truck. I'm going to follow you in Nate's car. I'll stay back. Where are you going? At least tell me that, Sadie."

I nodded. "I'm going to the bank first," I said glumly.

"You're giving up the picture?" he asked.