Page 57 of Twice as Forbidden

“Spit it out. I don’t have time for this—”

Vince rushes forward, pushing me against the wall. “I think you’re forgetting who’s in charge here,whore.” He raises his arm, taking a strand of hair between his fingertips. I want to push him off and scream, but I can’t without risking Noah or Jackson coming to find me. “Can you imagine how Noah will take this news? Instead of his own son, he takes his son’s ex under his wing, choosing you over his ownblood.” He curls my hair around his fingertips. “Really fuckin’ dug at him. Poor Noah being ignored by his own dad while he has all the time for you. I thought it was weird myself. Now, it all makes sense.”

“Get to the fucking point.”

“You have access to his office. Inside the bottom drawer of his desk, there’s a ledger. I want you to get it for me.”

I sneer at his request. “I don’t have access to his things. Newsflash, I’m never alone in his office. There’s no way I can grab something without him knowing.”

“Sounds like a you problem, whore.”

“Fuck you.”

“I mean, at this point, I might as well. I’m the only one in this house you haven’t fucked.”

My hands twitch to thrust forward and push him down the stairs. “Whatever you think, I still can’t get that ledger.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way. It’s amazing the things people will do to save themselves.”

“What’s so important about this ledger?”

He releases my hair, and I flinch as he taps his index finger against my nose. “That’s none of your concern. Yours is making sure you don’t destroy a family because you can keep your legs closed. I expect to hear from you on Monday. ’Til then, I really hope you feel better.” He leans in as if he’s going to kiss me, his breath churning my stomach. With a swipe of his tongue, he licks up my neck. Then he turns and jogs down the stairs, leaving me spinning.

Chapter twenty-two

Georgia

Ispendtherestofthe weekend holed up in my room, pretending to be sick. It hasn’t been difficult. Given the knot in my stomach, I haven’t even managed to keep water down. Jackson’s growing restlessness is evident. My responses to his texts are brief and clipped, and my door remains locked. I’m nearing the point where I can’t keep up the facade or avoid him. I’m at a loss. How did everything spiral out of control into this mess?

I have two options: confess to Noah or betray Jackson and find a way to get Vince the ledger. What I really want to know is why he wants it. What could be worth going to such lengths to obtain? Whatever it is, I can only conclude it will harm Jackson.

Monday arrives all too quickly. My nerves are shot, and still, I haven’t made a decision. How can I do this to either of them? No matter what I choose, I’m bound to hurt them both.

I get dressed and head downstairs. To my surprise, I hear Noah’s laughter. I enter the kitchen, catching their attention. “What did I miss?” I ask Noah, taking in his easy-going smile.

“Nothing. Dad and I were talking about an old client. The guy was crazy. Used to always bring his son with him to deals, and my dad made me tag along so the kid had someone to play with.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Jackson chimes in, prompting another burst of laughter from Noah.

“You kidding me? The guy would bring me shirts to match the ones his son was wearing. It was creepy as shit!”

“They were from a small town. Clearly showed their appreciation in different ways—”

“Dad,” he chuckles. “His kid was like twelve and still shit his pants.”

Jackson lets out a deep, amused sigh. “I should warn you, he’s in town next month and asked if you were home for the summer.”

“Fuck no!” Noah howls.

“You never minded when he took you to that burger place with the indoor playground. You know… it’s still there. We can go—”

“Just stop,” Noah says, and Jackson lets out a roar of laughter. Noah shakes his head, then joins in. I watch in shock, them smiling together for the first time since I’ve been here. They seem at ease with each other. Happy.

I’m about to destroy that.

“You okay, George?”

“Huh?” I blink, focusing on Noah.

---