That’s the way the bastard worked.
And I damn sure wasn’t going to let him come between me and Payton.
I wasn’t going to let anyone come between us.
So, my conscience got the best of me and I rolled off Payton, flipping onto my back next to her. Without hesitating, I pulled her to me, her head resting on my chest, her palm planted over my heart.
I slid my hand under the soft cotton of her T-shirt, finding warm, smooth skin beneath. I settled for touching her, feeling her breath against my skin.
“We need to talk.” I tried to regulate my heartbeat.
Payton didn’t say anything.
Part of me was surprised she allowed me to stay in her room. After all, I was the spawn of Satan. Then again, she still didn’t know, because I hadn’t told her. I had chickened out, which was probably the only reason she hadn’t thrown me out.
But that wasn’t the only secret I had.
It was just one of many.
And I needed to tell her everything. I needed to open up and share, or the chaos was going to break me. I was going to implode.
“So, talk,” Payton encouraged, her fingers trailing down to my navel. I sucked in a harsh breath, willing my body under control.
I couldn’t get the words out although she’d given me the perfect opening.
“I want to know everything there is to know about you,” Payton said softly, her body coming closer, pressing against my side.
“I’m not sure you do.”
Payton lifted her head, her beautiful green-brown eyes peering into mine. “I do.”
I could almost believe her.
Almost.
But I knew the instant that she learned my story she was going to run for the hills and never look back.
I looked away, staring blankly across the room. “Conrad Trovato is my…”
I swallowed hard, trying to get the words out, but they wouldn’t come.
Payton leaned in, pressing her lips gently to mine. “You can tell me anything, Sebastian.”
She was saying that now. In a few minutes, I wasn’t so sure she’d feel the same.
“Conrad Trovato is my father.” I exhaled deeply and turned my head, meeting her gaze head on. “Conrad Trovato is also…” I swallowed again, nearly choking on the words that hung on my tongue.
“Tell me,” Payton demanded softly, her eyes wide.
“I’m pretty sure he’s the man responsible for—”
Before I could get the words out, the front door opened and then slammed closed, rattling the window above Payton’s bed and knocking a small vase from a shelf on the wall.
Payton flew off the bed, running to the door and pulling it open.
“Aaron!” Payton yelled. “What’s wrong?”
Shouting ensued and I was on my feet in two seconds flat, pulling my T-shirt on over my head before following her into the living room. I had no idea what was going on with Aaron, but I was almost tempted to thank him for the interruption.
His abrupt appearance had just stopped me from telling Payton something that I wasn’t sure she was ready to hear.
Something that I wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready to hear.
From the author
I really hope you enjoyed the first book in the Unhinged series. Payton and Sebastian’s story came to me one day when my husband and I were driving in the car. I mentioned a plot idea to him and he told me to go for it. After writing the first book in a matter of days, I asked my daughter to read it. Her excitement and eagerness for more encouraged me to publish their story.
You can stay up to date on the additional books in this series by going to my website: www.TimberlynScott.com. If you don’t want to miss any release dates, sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive the information right to your inbox on release day.
About the author
Timberlyn Scott is the alter ego of New York Times bestselling author Nicole Edwards. Thanks to a significant difference in writing style, Nicole decided to bring Timberlyn to life in order to publish a more contemporary style of romance.
You can find out more about Timberlyn Scott on her website: www.TimberlynScott.com
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
From the author
About the author
Unhinged (Unhinged #1) Page 16