Page 139 of Money Reigns
There’s a pause, a little sigh. “Yes, we’re fine. Next quarter is coming up, but we may just make it. Chase is picking up some renovation work in the next town over, he’s going to put that money toward what we need.”
Relief and shame crash together in my gut. They’re scraping by, counting on my brother’s side jobs, while I’ve been—what? Laying in silk sheets? Forgetting to call? Forgetting why I even came to the city in the first place?
“I’ll transfer funds today,” I blurt. “I have it.”
“Liv, no. Don’t you dare. You keep that money for rent. We’ll figure it out.”
Rent.
My stomach knots.
Rent that’s already paid. For the whole year. Because ofhim.
And I’ve been so wrapped up in Warren Beaumont, his world, his hands, his everything. I forgot.
The job. The paycheck. The reason I left home.
To keep it standing.
“No, Mama,” I whisper, throat tight. “I got it. I’ll send it.”
She sighs again, softer this time. “I love you, Liv Bug. Be good. Be safe.”
“I love you too. Tell Daddy I love him.”
We hang up, and I stare at the dark screen, guilt burning holes through me.
“Your family needs money?”
My heart lurches. I spin around.
He’s leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
Watching me.
I swallow. “Yes. The inn… it’s tight right now.”
The look in his eyes makes my chest seize. Calculating. Decisive.
I know that look.
“No.”I shake my head before he even says it. “Don’t. Don’t even think about it. You are not sending them money.”
His jaw flexes, that dangerous silence stretching between us.
One look. That’s all it takes to make me want to give in. To let him fix it. To let him be who he is, powerful, unstoppable.
But this is my family.Myresponsibility.
Finally, he exhales through his nose, almost like he’s humoring me. “Fine.”
Then he moves.
Pushes off the door.
And cages me in against the counter.
One hand planted on either side of me, his body crowding mine.
