Page 202 of The Forbidden Note

“We’re step-siblings,” I supply.

Zane stares at me with displeasure, all the light in his blue eyes get sucked into a blackhole of disapproval. He doesn’t like me saying that to others, but so what? It’s the truth and it’ll keep Steven feeling comfortable enough to talk.

Steven lets out a deep breath. “Right. I knew that. I guess… it’s good you guys get along so well.”

“Yeah.” Zane leans toward me. A wicked smile blooms. “You can say we know each otherinsideand out.”

Heat blazes over my face. Nostrils flaring, I squeeze Zane’s thigh. Hard.

He flinches.

Before I can change the conversation back toward Jarod Cross’s campaign, I get a phone call.

It’s Cadence.

“Excuse me,” I say, slipping past Zane to answer the call near the bathroom. Once I’m in the privacy of an empty corridor, I answer. “Did you find something?”

“We found more than ‘something’.” Her voice sounds shaky. “Miss Jamieson, you’re gonna want to see this.”

CHAPTERFIFTY

ZANE

Dad is running for governor.

It’s so freaking ridiculous that it actually makes sense.

His play for our inheritance.

The chairman of the board run.

Teaching at Redwood.

Berating us for ‘ruining his image’.

It’s like someone flicked on a lamp in a dark room, illuminating all the shadows. Scattered puzzle pieces. Magnets snapping into place. Shifting tiles. A master puppeteer. Dad was painting a different kind of picture. One I never would have guessed even if someone shot me in the face with the truth.

Jarod Cross wants to rule more than just the music industry.

“What do you think they found?” Grey asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I look at her and try to keep the worry from my face. Her eyes are bright enough to burn and she’s smiling nervously. This is a big moment for her and I don’t want to ruin it by freaking out over dad’s plan to take over the world.

Or at least this part of the world.

“Zane, you okay?” She arches a brow, her voice going soft with worry.

It’s crazy the way she knows me so well.

The way she sees through my facade.

I almost slide over to her and give her another kiss. I know the only thing that would distract me from this nervous energy is unbuttoning her jeans and making her groan in pleasure, but I hold myself back.

Grey’s still trying to keep me at bay and if I push too hard, too fast, I’m no different than that creepy Steven who couldn’t take a hint.

I’ll work her down.

It’s just a matter of time until she’s mine completely.

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