Page 78 of Property of Legend

“But those just magically appeared in the bathroom?”

I’m barely holding it together.

He runs a hand through his hair, looking guilty to me.“Becki left 'em.She’s been pokin’ around, tryin’ to get me riled up.Tryin’ to get a reaction.There’s been none.”

“Well, congrats,” I snap.“She got one, now.”

“I didn’t touch her.I swear.”

“Don’t have to.She clearly thinks she’s still got a shot.Must’ve felt real at home waltzing into your bedroom to leave them.”

“I’ve not been with anyone since you.”

Crossing my arms, I don’t know if I can believe him.That’s the worst part.

I’m mad.Mad at him for letting her in here.Mad at him for fucking her while I thought we had something brewing.Mad at myself for letting my guard down, again.Mad because I knew this was a bad idea and did it anyway.

I grab my clothes and start dressing.“You broke my heart once already.Told me we were done.I didn’t expect you to wait around with your damn hand over your heart, but you could’ve kept your mess out of the room you brought me into.”

“Sophie,” he barks.

But I’m already in my boots, already out the door.

By the time I get home, the sun’s too bright and my temper’s too hot.I storm through the front door of the farmhouse, only to find James standing in the hallway like he’s been waiting.

Tapping his foot, he looks me up and down, clocking the wrinkled clothes and probably the love mark aching on my neck.Definitely the smell of leather, smoke and pure sin clinging to me.My nose wrinkles as I smell myself too.

“So,” he says, arms folded, voice dripping with judgment.“You gonna be a biker’s ol’ lady now?”

“What are you talking about?”I try.

“Your hair,” he exclaims, taking my shoulders and turning me around toward the big mirror.“Looks like you’ve been fucked by a tornado, sis.”

Damn, I’m a sight.My hairs a rat’s nest on meth, and has me looking like I’m fixin’ to join a B-52s’ cover band.Legend’s semen makes one hell of a hair gel.

And love bite doesn’t do it justice.There’s a hickey on my neck running to my chest that looks like it was put there by a giant.

James is aghast or at least pretending to be.“Comin’ into this house, freshly fucked by filth.Mama’s rollin’ in her grave.”

“Would that really be so different from you playing loyal lapdog to whichever hedge fund wants to gut this place next?”I shoot back, walking past him.

“You’re making a mistake,” he snaps.

“Good,” I fire over my shoulder.“Wouldn’t want to break the family tradition.”

“Jesus, Soph.The whole town already knows you went to that club showing your ass.”

My eyes narrow.

“Heard you got in a fight.”

“Yeah.I’d do it again,” I say, hoping that’s all he heard.

I’m not too sure about anything else.Under my aggravation at James’ twenty questions, I am still mad as hell at Legend.What’s worse, other emotions are creeping up fast.Jealousy and sorrow.

James interrupts my brief pity party.“Well, while you were off screwing an outlaw, Dad woke up.”

I stop cold.

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