Page 32 of Nova

“What have you done, Simone.” Oh, that’s it.

I’m done playing nice.

“First, you show up at my house uninvited. Then you give this pompous ass your keys so he can break in when you know I don’t want anything to do with him! Then you come yet again to Sandra’s defense when the shit hits the fan? No more. I’m done with all of you.” I turn to Maddox who takes my hand and starts walking towards the doorway.

“If you leave here with him, do not come back! If you do not marry Tyler, we are done.” I roll my eyes at her.

“You do not get to dictate who I marry! Especially when the man in question had been secretly switching places with his brother and fucking my sister behind my back!” Gasps fill the air.

“Simone!” Tim says, holding my sister while she cries harder.

“Ma’am, are you saying this man not only gained entrance to your home without permission, but he also tricked you into sleeping with his twin brother without your knowledge?” The officers I completely forgot about ask, and I nod.

Three things happen very quickly.

Tyler and my mother are put in handcuffs and read their rights while my sister passes out cold. I wave as the officers move the ones in handcuffs past us and call an ambulance for my sister.

“THIS IS ABSURD!” My mother yells as she’s put in the back of a police car.

A tap on my shoulder has me turning to see my father. He offers his hand to Maddox, who shakes it immediately. He turns serious eyes at me and speaks five words that make my world fall out from under my feet.

“Don’t return unless you’re married.” I gasped but then realized he wasn’t even talking to me since his eyes were on Maddox.

“Understood, Sir.”

Chapter

Thirteen

NOVA

Simone didn’t speak the entire way back to her house. I tried to leave her to her thoughts, but her finger tapping started to drive me insane, so I snatched up her hand, kissing each fingertip until she finally looked at me.

“Sorry,” she whispered, adjusting her legs on the couch again.

She’s twitchy and anxious, so I need to figure out a way to calm her. One that doesn’t involve my dick cause that would make me the selfish prick I really want to be right now. She’s still wearing her dress and nothing else.

It’s driving me mad.

“Want to talk about it?” I rub my thumbs up the center of her palm, and she sighs but shakes her head.

“What would you be doing if I wasn’t here right now to relax?” Maybe if I ground her in some normal, she’ll come out of her shell.

"I enjoy watching serial killer documentaries and listening to gangster rap, and I find the shooting range soothing.” It’s not what I expected, but it’s a start.

"You should disclose this on your dating profiles cause it seems important to know about your personality." My teasing draws a small smile.

"I'm not for weak men." She says it proudly, and I wink at her.

“No, Dove, you certainly are not. How about we get you changed into something comfy and watch a movie?” I took my suit jacket off long ago, but the thought of a nice pair of sweatpants never sounded so good.

“Eager to get me naked?” She stands in front of me, and I get tongue-tied.

“Honestly, more than you could possibly believe, but I meant what I said. You go change, and I’ll make us some popcorn.” She nods and heads up the stairs.

I grab my overnight bag and change quickly in her bathroom.

I haven’t canceled my hotel room in case she asks me to leave, but I can’t fathom leaving her alone after today’s fiasco. And I thought my family had issues.

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