Page 99 of Wild Card

He doesn’t answer which fuels her rage. She slices her eyes to me. “You are a pathetic, selfish, wretched bitch. Why can’t you accept Joey loves me more than he could ever love you? You’re dull and frigid—can you blame him?”

The air is sucked out of the room as my whole secret is exposed. Talon’s body strings tighter, shaking against me.

“Oh no.” Rowan moves in front of us, Ford stepping in front of her.

“Bitch, I don’t know what world you live in or who you think is saving you from this,” Shayla speaks casually, seeming bored. “You fucked with a Casanova’s woman. Not a smart move.”

“What the hell is a Casanova?”

“The worst enemy you can ever make,” Rowan snaps. “Get out of my salon.”

“What about my consult? This is not my fault. She stalked me!”

“Guuuurrrrll, you don’t get it. Willow is one of us. I’m grateful she showed when she did. Exposed the trash that gotthrough my screening.” Shayla files her nails. “You aren’t getting your consult, and you will be charged triple for the idiocy and abusive disruption.”

“I will sue you!” Rylee cries.

“Better save your money for your lawyer.”

A siren comes closer and Rylee pales when Ace and Major stroll in the door, pissed and in full uniform.

“You got this?” Talon doesn’t wait for an answer, stalking through the salon and up a set of stairs.

He punches in a code and carries me into a studio apartment, setting me on the sofa.

His eyes roam over me while his hand feels along my scalp and neck.

I flinch when he scales over a tender bump.

The revulsion in his gaze doesn’t waver and he yanks out his phone and presses a button.

“It’s Talon, meet us at Willow’s. She’s been assaulted by your sister.”

He clicks off and hauls me closer. His anger radiates and hands shake as he rubs my back.

“I’m okay. She caught me off-guard, and I tripped over my own feet.”

“The cunt touched you. She doesn’t get that right.”

I’m momentarily taken aback at his words, then sink into him, kneading my hands into his shoulders.

We stay like this until the door opens and Rowan hurries to our side, ramming Talon away.

“Should we call an ambulance?”

Shayla, Ford, and Major follow in and the horror washes over me.

I made another scene, my secrets were revealed, and Talon was subjected to the indignity of my family drama.

It’s not a dumpster fire.

It’s adumpster firestorm.

Tears flow out and I cup my face, sobbing. “I’m sooooooooo sorry. This is not my life!”

I’m back in Talon’s arms and moving again. This time, my butt hits a solid surface and a cold cloth runs over my neck.

His lips sweep over and over my temple as I cry like a crazy person.

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