Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“I did seek you out, Zora but not for the reasons you believe I have. You see, I understand your situation and I want to help you.”
She places her hands against my chest and pushes but I tighten my hold. “This isn’t funny. You don’t want to help me. You just want to make my life miserable like you did back then.”
“That’s not true. I want to help.”
She snorts with obvious disbelief. “And I’m sure that help comes at a price.”
“Of course it does.”
“And what exactly is the cost of your help?”
“You.”
12
ZORA
I’m sure I fell asleep at some point, and this is all just some weird nightmare. To prove me point, I pinch myself on the arm as hard as I can.
“Ouch.”
That fucking hurt and what’s worse, Jackson is still here. Holding me.
“Let go, Jackson. This isn’t funny. I’m tired and I don’t have the energy to fight right now to indulge your sick joke.”
He tilts his head to the side to look at me from a different angle but he doesn’t release me. “You’re under the impression this is a joke. I do like the occasional chuckle but I wouldn’t kid you about something like this. If you haven’t guessed already I’m quite serious.”
Jackson clutches my hips and grinds his sizable erection against my pelvis and I push him away with all the strength I have left. “Get out! Get out of my house now!”
“There’s that fiery spirit I miss.” The amusement in his tone is enough to make me want to smack the shit out of him.
“Jackson, we’re not teenagers anymore and unlike then I’m not going to put up with your bullshit. We’ve already established that my family is in trouble, but I’d rather crawl naked on all fours on hot coals than to have anything to do with you. You disgust me, Jackson Champion. You were the biggest piece of shit in high school, but you’ve turned out to be an even bigger creep than you were then.”
He clenches his jaw and a vein pops out in his forehead. Maybe I’ve hit a nerve but now that I’ve started, I can’t stop.
“I’m sure you’ll have a good laugh about it tonight with one of the many people who kiss your ass just because of your last name. You surround yourself with yes men because you’re too much of a coward to find out what people really think about you. And frankly I find it pathetic. Maybe you should focus on trying to figure out why you’re such an asshole. It would be a more productive use of your time than to torment me any further. I think—”
Like a flash he’s in front of me and catches me by the chin. “I don’t give a shit what you think right now. But before you continue spouting your self-righteous drivel let’s face facts here. If you had an easy solution to your problems, you wouldn’t have broken down in front of me like that since you think I’m the worst person in the world. I’m not exactly sure what your father’s health issues are but that’s something I could find out with a phone call. I—”
“But HIPAA—”
“Fuck HIPAA!” He roars, effectively shutting me up.
He tightens his hold on my face and his eyes turn a dark shade of blue I’ve never seen before, something stormy and dangerous. I can practically feel the anger radiate from him and he’s so much bigger than me, there’s no telling what he will do in this state. For the first time, actual fear sends a shiver up my spine.
“You seem to have forgotten how much influence the Champion name has in this town. So, I’d advise you to be quiet until I’m finished. I’ve always admired your spirit and determination, but your stubbornness is going to get you fucked up if you’re not careful. It’s time you learned a few home truths.”
I gulp but no words dare to form on my lips. This can’t be happening. I haven’t seen this man in years and yet he’s reduced me to that insecure little girl in high school all over again. I’ve already humiliated myself by crying in front of him like a idiot, I can’t let it happen again.
His lips briefly tighten into a grimace as he gives me a brutal once over. “Fact number one, your father is in the hospital due to some medical condition, I intend to find out about. That means there will be hospital bills. Medicare will only cover so much I’m sure.”
“This house is currently in foreclosure which tells me he doesn’t have the means to cover those expenditures. Your brother is on the run from the law and has racked up a considerable amount of debt. My guess is your father probably took out a second mortgage to help your brother in the past which is why he’s in this current predicament. I’m almost certain hearing about Langston’s latest escapades will be an added stress to your father, something that will probably be a further detriment to his already deteriorating health. So where does that leave you? The good daughter who is supposed to pick up the pieces of the mess your family has made.”