Page 86 of Twice as Forbidden

Chapter twenty-eight

Georgia

Istareoutthewindow,trying to remember a time when life wasn’t royally fucked up. I latch on to a memory of my dad and me at the park when I was five. We were the only house in the neighborhood without a swing set, and I begged him to take me. I close my eyes, remembering that day, as if I can still feel the sun on my cheeks. My dad pushed me so high I felt like I was flying. He laughed, saying I was practically touching the sky. I remember seeing birds soar by while I exclaimed, “I’m flying! I’m flying!” It felt so freeing, as if nothing could hold me down. I laughed and laughed, my heart racing with an adrenaline that made me feel invincible. I’ll never forget the way his laughter wrapped around me like a warm blanket while I kept yelling for him to push me higher and higher.

“You’re going to fly away if I push you any higher, Georgie,” he said, but still, he pushed harder, and I soared into the sky. That was the best moment of my small life. But even then, I knew how to ruin a good thing. I finally got the courage to see if I could fly and jumped mid-air, kicking my legs and flapping my feet, but gravity had other plans. I came crashing down, arms outstretched to stop the fall and ended up breaking my arm.

The joy quickly turned to excruciating pain and fear as I looked down to see my bone sticking out. I remember crying while my dad scooped me up and ran the entire three blocks home. After a long visit to the ER and a brand-new bright pink cast, we came home, and I was immediately sent to my room. The pain was nothing in comparison to their argument through the wall—my mom blaming him for not being more responsible and her concerns about how they would pay the medical bills. I promised myself I would never be that reckless again, but it didn’t matter since my dad never took me back to the park.

My life has been nothing but a series of disappointments—a string of unfortunate events, each adding to the weight of my pathetic existence. I wipe away my tears as Noah’s words echo in my mind.“Maybe a beating from your stepdaddy is exactly what you deserve.”Maybe he’s right. Because I’m not a good person. I hurt people, too.

The city lights blur by as we drive. I glance over, noticing the unexpected direction of our route, and then it hits me; we’re headed in the wrong direction. “Excuse me, I think you missed a turn.”

“Yeah, sorry,” the driver replies. “Traffic’s bad. I’m taking an alternative route. Hope that’s okay.”

“Sure.” I lean back, my chest tightening at the uncertainty. What now? I put the airport as my destination, but where do I go once I get there? Home? I could call Lettie and make up some story about being done and needing to come back. Seeing Bill makes my stomach twist, but I don’t have many other options. I pull out my phone to call Lettie when the Uber stops abruptly at a light and the back passenger side door swings open.

“Hey, this Uber is taken—”

“Move over, daddy-banger.”

Panic seizes my body, and I freeze. He doesn’t wait for me to respond before shoving me over and sliding in next to me. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or did your ex's daddy and his impressive cock puncture your voice box?” He laughs, his tone mocking. “Man, that was something to see. Way better than I expected. It was hot watching you suck him off like that. Didn’t know you were such a fucking whore.” He reaches for my thigh, and I slap him away. “Testy. You’ll warm up to me. From what I’ve seen, you’re a needy little thing. A few hours of abstinence, and you’re going be drooling for my cock.”

“Fuck you. Get the hell out.” I spit, shaking with rage. Vince laughs, and my stomach churns with disgust.

“Nah, sweetheart. I think I’m gonna stay right where I am.”

“Get out! Miss—stop the car.” Vince lashes out, grabbing at my neck. I wince at the soreness left by Noah. He pulls me to him, his breath hot and smelling of booze. I fight against him, but he tightens his hold. “Let me go.”

“Not a chance. I’m just getting started.” He glances at the driver. “We good?”

“Yes. What took you so damn long? I’ve been circling for ten minutes.”

My eyes widen, and my gaze flashes to the driver.

“Took me a bit longer than expected. Mr. Blake came home.”

“Did he see you?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry, he was too busy getting his ass kicked by his pussy-ass son. Good job on that one.” He releases his hold on me.

I cradle my stomach, fighting a wave of sickness. How could I have let it go this far? A tear slips down my cheek, and I angrily swipe it away.

“You’re not feeling guiltynow, are you?” Vince laughs, his tone vindictive and cold. “Couldn’t handle your lovers beating the shit out of each other? I must say, Noah’s doing me a favor. I was going to kill Jackson, but I have no doubt he’s doing it for me now.” The image of Noah pops into my head, the blind rage as he landed hit after hit. I shouldn’t have left them. I should have stopped it. “Too late. I’m sure the job’s already done. Now, let’s get to the good part.”

His hand slides into his blazer, and he retrieves the ledger.

“You got it?” the woman asks, relief etched across her face.

“Yeah. It was exactly where I knew he’d move it to. His bedroom safe.”

I can’t pull my eyes away from the ledger. “How’d you—”

I barely get my question out when his hand strikes me across my face with brutal force. My head snaps back, crashing into the car window. His other hand wraps around my neck, crushing my windpipe. He’s back in my face, his mouth so close to mine I can feel every word he spits. “That’s none of your business, bitch.” I claw at his grip, choking for air. The coldness in his eyes sends me into a fit of panic.

“Vince, darling, stop. We need her alive a little bit longer.”

He leans in, his tongue flicking out to press against my cheek as he licks away my tears. Then he releases me, pushing back against the seat. “You’re right. Where were we?” He adjusts himself and studies the ledger. “I made the call. Told our contact we have the code. If it passes, we’ll get the green light to proceed. Dad’s company will be revived, move forward to the next level—and bam!” he shouts, and I flinch. “Bring on the Benjamin’s baby!”

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