Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
“Grayson,” he says through the phone, his voice sounding disturbed. “I need your help.”
Of course, as expected…
That’s the only reason my father calls.
Frowning, I lean against the metal railing. “What happened this time?”
I can hear him swallow, nervously. A little distressed maybe. “I owe someone. Please, just let me explain before you cut off the call. I really need your he—”
“Money?” I interrupt his rambling.
After a long few seconds of silence, he lets out a sigh. “Yes.”
“I told you I’m not going to help you anymore after last time,” I mutter, annoyed with his constant negligence. He always brings his troubles to me and expects me to drop everything to help him. When I don’t, he starts with the gaslighting and emotional blackmail.
I hear a rustling in the background and then he’s speaking again. Begging. “Please, son. I really need to give them back the money I borrowed. I promise I’ll pay you back. Just this once. One last time, please. I won’t bother you again. After today, I’ll clean up my act. I promise.”
He has always failed at keeping his promises.
A frustrated growl rumbles from my chest. “Why are you still borrowing money from these people?” Raking my fingers through my hair, I bite back a growl. Fuck, I’m pissed… “How much do you need?”
“A hundred.”
“A hundred thousand?”
He clears his throat and then mutters a quiet, “Yes.”
Fucking hell.
“Fine,” I spit out, clenching my fists. I’m incapable of saying no to him…not because he’s my father. I could care less about this feeble man; he has brought me and my family too much trouble. But I have unfinished business with him and a job I need to complete. “Meet me at the subway in an hour.”
I cut the call and walk back inside. Frustrated with the situation, I march into the walk-in closet and quickly get dressed. Grabbing my baseball cap and my glasses off the nightstand, I pause to look down at my girl.
Goldilocks is still sleeping, looking so serene in my bed, and it physically pains me to walk away from her right now. I lean down, brushing my lips over her forehead in a tender kiss before pulling away. “I’ll be back soon. Sleep tight, baby.”
I make sure to leave Riley a note, so she doesn’t worry if she wakes up before I return and doesn’t find me in bed with her.
I couldn’t bear to wake you up when you’re sleeping so peacefully.
I’ll be back soon.
I love you,
Grayson.
And then I make a quick call, before leaving the penthouse.
Time to meet Daddy Dearest.
Let’s see what he’s up to now.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Riley — 19 years old
“Are you sure you want to do this right now?” Lila asks for the umpteenth time. She’s rarely ever anxious, but today her mood is slightly off. She’s jittery, and it’s unlike her. I know she’s concerned and feeling protective over me.
I place a hand on her knee, giving her my best practiced smile. Even though I’m feeling anything but confident on the inside. I’m scared shitless. My stomach twists and rolls, nausea building in my throat. The bitter acidic taste of bile fills my mouth and I force myself to swallow it all down. “I have to.”
“You don’t have to. You’re shaking, Riley.” She grabs my hand, squeezing. “Come home with me tonight, stay, and when you’re calmer, you can tell your father the news.”
“No, I have to.” I shake my head. “I already left the admission letter on the table. He came home an hour ago. He must have found it by now.”
After a few seconds of tense silence, Lila straightens her back and reaches for the door. “Fine. I’ll go with you,” she mutters firmly, utter determination in her voice.
“No!”
Lila frowns, her lips twisting with displeasure. She has that surly expression on her face that I’m familiar with.
Ah, my sweet, courageous friend.
But this is my battle.
Lila has been my pillar for the longest time, but I have to do this on my own.
But more importantly, I don’t want her to get on my father’s bad side. He doesn’t seem too fond of her, anyway. I’ve kept Lila away from my family as much as I could over the last year and a half. This is my only way of protecting her.
“But Riley—"
It’s my turn to squeeze her hand, trying to soothe her worry by feigning bravery. “I can do this on my own,” I tell her, with a slight tremor in my voice, but I cover it with another fake… confident smile.
Except Lila is not falling for it.
She knows me, and she sees the vulnerability I try so hard to hide.
I am brave, I whisper in my head. I can do this. I’m taking control of my life.
“It’s okay, I got this.”
She finally relents, and lets out a sigh. “Okay, Maddox and I will be right here.” I meet Maddox’s eyes through the rearview mirror and he nods in silent acknowledgement.