Page 78 of Twice as Forbidden

Noah starts to get up, but I grab his arm. “Noah, wait.”

“Chill. I’m just gonna see who—”

“Well, look what we have here.” The color drains from my face as Vince’s cold stare sweeps over me, sending a chill down my spine.

“What up, man?”

“That sure is the question.” Vince claps his hands together, and my shoulders tense suddenly. “What.Is. Up? Been calling you.”

“Sorry, dude. George and I were watching a movie.”

“Lovely. What are we watching?” He walks into the room and plops down on the couch next to me.

“Some horror flick George picked.”

“Horror?” Vince raises his brows. “Didn’t peg you as the horror type. Figured more of a romance kinda girl. Theforbiddenkind.” He slaps his hand on my thigh, squeezing to the brink of pain. My stomach turns, and this time, I truly do groan.

“Is the 7UP not helping?” Noah asks, oblivious to his malicious friend.

I fight to keep my voice steady. “No, it’s fine. I’m just going to go—”

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” My eyes shoot to Vince.He’s not.He wouldn’t just out me right here. He has to know what it would do to Noah. “I’ve been waiting all day to hang with you two. You’re not escaping me now.”

“Yeah, but I don’t feel—”

“Don’t feel what,Georgia?”

“Dude, chill out. She doesn’t feel good.”

“Oh, I’m sure she doesn’t. Guilt just eating you up inside,Georgia?”

“Vince, for real, knock it off.”

“Where’s the ledger?” He stares at me, his fury barely restrained.

“I don’t have it.”

“What are you talking about? What ledger?” Noah chimes in.

“Where thefuckis it?”

“I told you, I don’t have it.” I wince as he digs his fingers deeper into my thigh.

“Seriously, what the fuck, Vince?”

“Is this where he finds out?”

“Finds out what?”

I break eye contact with Vince, my heart breaking as I look at the confusion in Noah’s eyes. I pull my gaze back to Vince. “Don’t do this.”

“Too late for begging. Whereisit?”

“Please. Don’t do this,” I plead.

“Not what I fucking asked!” he yells, causing me to jump.

“What the fuck is going on? Don’t do what? Someone better start filling me in.”

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