by K. Webster
Shrimp lands on the garment bag and pecks at it. He’s still mad but luckily he won’t stay that way. That bird loves me even when I royally screw up my life. A note is sticking out of a partially unzipped pocket. I yank it out, startling Shrimp, and flip it open to read.
Miss Elliott,
If you’re missing any of your things from Mr. Constantine’s residence, please contact me via email with a list. I’ll be sure to round up anything that may have gotten overlooked and/or replace any items.
Sincerely,
Deborah
I crumple up the note and throw it to the floor. I’m sure Deborah was all too eager to drop what she was doing to rush over to Winston’s to uproot me and my bird.
Anger settles in the pit of my stomach. This is ridiculous. Winston hasn’t even let me completely explain myself or to try and make things better. While the fire is still burning through me, I grab my phone to text him. I ignore the many from Leo waiting for me and go to Win’s contact.
Me: For someone who doesn’t care, you sure are pissy about the whole thing.
I hit send and stew while I wait for him to reply.
Win: If that’s an attempt at an apology, it sucks. Didn’t your daddy teach you any manners?
Me: You know I’m sorry for not telling you that Leo was stalking me but I’m not sorry for trying to keep our private moments out of the media. I was protecting us.
Win: With your guard bird? I’m sure the Morellis were awfully frightened.
Though his lack of response regarding Leo feels like a sting, his willingness to verbally spar with me, even when furious enough to kick me and my bird out of his home, gives me hope that we’re not over. This is just a hiccup. A small bump in the road. We’ll move past it. I just know it.
Me: Don’t bring Shrimp into this. He’s not going to forgive you very quickly for letting that witch kidnap him from his home.
Win: His home is with his bird mommy. Also, I’m waiting on pins and needles for that noisy-ass bird to forgive me. Ohhh, that’s right. I’m not.
Me: You’re lucky he can’t read.
Win: If you’re done having a childish tantrum, I’m going home to shower and then go to bed. Oh, I don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but I don’t have a towel warmer.
I stare at his text in confusion.
Me: ???
He doesn’t respond anymore. Asshole. I consider calling Perry to talk to him about what happened tonight, but he’s Win’s brother. I’m not sure I could handle the rejection if Perry snubbed me.
My phone buzzes with another incoming text but it’s not Winston.
Dad: They’re all three going to need surgery. Me and Manda are up at the hospital waiting to talk to them. I know you probably don’t care, but Manda is torn up and worried sick.
Guilt slithers through me which is annoying. They deserve everything they got. If Win hadn’t stopped them…I can’t even begin to think about what Scout would have done the night they tried to retaliate against me for their losing Harvard. I’m certain it would have irrevocably changed and broken me.
Me: Keep me posted.
Because I’d like to revel in their pain.
Me: And, Dad…if anything comes out about me on the news, don’t watch it.
Dad: What does that mean???
Me: Maybe nothing. Maybe it’s just me worrying.
Dad: What’s wrong? Are you in trouble? Did that man do something to you?
That man.
Winston Constantine is so much more than just that man. He’s a god among mortals. Powerful, rich, calculating. A villainous prince. The things he did to me are exactly what I’m afraid of. They’re things no normal human should want yet I’m clearly on video begging for it.
Dad: Ash, honey, talk to me. Do I need to call Manda’s attorney?
It’s her sons’ fault those pictures and videos got into Leo Morelli’s hands in the first place. No, thank you.
Me: I got this, Dad. Just wanted to give you a warning.
I don’t have “this” at all but I’m sure as hell not going to let my dad swoop in and save the day. This is my mess which means I’m going to have to clean it up.
Now that the tears have dried and determination has set in, I get started on unpacking my things. The apartment is admittedly cute and I’m secretly grateful I have a place to lie low. Away from everyone. Just me and my bird. I’m not sure how long I’ll be allowed to stay here, especially if Win thinks he’s going to try and push me out of his life over this, but I have it when I need it most and that’s all that matters.
After a hot shower where I wash away the craptastic day I’ve had, I turn out the lights, drape Shrimp’s blanket over his cage, and then crawl into bed. It’s not as soft as the one I sleep on at Win’s but it’s still nice. I search online on my phone for a bit looking for an apology present. Once I purchase it, I change the direction of my searching. To me and Win.
So far…no sex scandal blasted all over the internet.
Doesn’t help my anxiety any. It just feels like a bomb waiting to detonate. The anticipation is worse than the explosion.
I imagine a giant, blown-up version of Winston fucking my ass on one of the billboards in Times Square. Okay, so maybe the explosion will be a lot worse than the anticipation. Ugh.
As much as I want to stew over what Leo may or may not do, I try and channel my thoughts someplace else. My mind drifts to a simpler life when Tate was my boyfriend. Things weren’t so stressful back then. Boring, yes, but safe.
Nothing about my life is safe now.
I got in bed with a lion and I’m learning maybe I’m just a little mouse.
I’m way out of my depth here.
Loneliness has me reaching out to someone I once could count on. Tate. That is, until the triplets ran him off. I’m craving our easy friendship and his steady words. Since his number isn’t programed on my new phone, I reach out to him on Facebook.
Me: Life’s crazy these days. There’s so much I want to tell you. We should grab coffee and catch up soon.
I wish we’d have stayed friends but it’s one more thing that the Terror Triplets ruined in my life. It’s time to start taking back my life. I can start small. Tate’s not like all these other men I’ve been dealing with. He’s a good person. I know him. He’ll offer me his shoulder to cry on and then he’ll give me the motivation I need to pull myself out of the dirt.
That’s exactly what I’ll do, too.
Stand up. Dust off. Keep going.
The alternative is letting Leo Morelli beat me. Unlucky for him, I’ve spent too much time hanging out with Constantines. If I’ve learned anything from that family thus far, it’s that you never let the enemy have the last word.
This isn’t over.
I won’t let it be.
CHAPTER THREE
Winston
This morning, I feel like me.
Fucking finally.
Without Ash’s presence or her stupid bird, I managed to find the Constantine armor I usually wear, suit up, and am prepared for battle. There’s no time for weakness. Not now. Not when the Morellis are out for blood.
It’s early. The only staff in the building thus far are Deborah and Perry. I’d texted them both at the crack of dawn today, requesting their immediate presence at the office. I’m pleased to find Deborah sitting with her perfect posture clacking away on her keyboard while Perry waits outside my office, back leaned against the locked door, two coffees in hand.
“Perry. Deborah.” My clipped greeting has both of them straightening. To Deborah, I say, “Hold my calls today and get in contact with Anthony. I want a meeting with him within the next two hours to discuss a breach of contract on one of my business deals.”
Deborah flies into action. “On it, sir.”
Perry’s brow is arched but he wisely doesn’t say a word until we’re inside my office with the door closed. It’s been oddly satisfying to watch him grow into his Constantine shoes lately. I’d hired him to keep him
out of trouble and it’s proving to be a wise choice. I’m going to need him even more in the coming days, that much I’m aware of. Every time I blink, there’s someone else waiting to fuck me over. Never fucking ending. And while I may not have proof right away of my hunches, I always get it in the end. I’m always right about those hunches, too. It’s clear the only people you can trust are the ones with the same blood running through your veins.
Ash is running through my veins on a fast track to my cock but that’s another story entirely.
“You’re in killer Constantine mode this morning,” Perry muses and sips his coffee, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Best he hears it from me first.
“We ran into the Morellis at dinner last night.”
Perry laughs. “Not surprised.”
“Imagine their surprise when I bought the restaurant before they had a chance to order.” My lips twist into a sadistic smirk. “They weren’t pleased.”
“I bet not.”
I lean back in my chair, tightening the knot of my tie at my throat before settling my gaze back on my little brother. His suit is crisp today and I don’t note any wrinkles. Golden-blond hair is styled in a way that toes the line between casual and business, but I figure it’ll do. The scruff he’s sporting, though it needs a little taming, makes him seem older which is a befitting look for him. Perry needs all the help he can get.
“Leo has been harassing Ash since the night of my birthday,” I say in a cool tone, watching his reaction with sharp intensity.
His humor fades as anger filters through him. He sits up, nostrils flaring. “He fucking what? I’ll kill him if he touches one hair on Ash’s head.”
“Don’t get your panties in a wad, Romeo. It seems your beloved girl thought she could handle this all on her own. She’s been keeping it from me. I figured it out last night and then made her come clean.”
He stares at me as though waiting for the punchline. “And?”
“And nothing. I sent her and her bird back to the whore apartment because that’s what she is. A paid-for living, breathing entertaining toy.”
“Dude—”
“Don’t call me dude.”
“Fuck, Winny. Is she okay?”
I bristle and shoot him a fiery glare. “It’s Ash. Of course she’s okay.”
“But you kicked her out.”
“You can’t kick out someone who doesn’t live with you,” I growl, quickly losing my cool. “I sent her away so I didn’t say something to make her cry.”
Lies.
I didn’t trust myself not to crawl back into bed with her.
Ash weakens me.
I can’t be the Constantine in charge when I have a feisty teenager distracting me.
“Okay.” His tone is filled with disappointment in a rare role reversal. I don’t like how he sounds exactly like Dad, either. “So that’s just it? You’re done with her? Just like that?”
“You’re missing the big problem here,” I explain, voice tense as my patience splinters. “Focus. Morelli was harassing her.” Stalking as she put it. “Which means—”
“He’s in breach of contract,” Perry interrupts, catching up. “What are you going to do?”
“Sue the fuck out of him. Naturally.” And take my motherfucking building back.
“You have proof?”
“Ash is on my phone plan now. I’ll have the records pulled and sent to Anthony before he even makes it into the office this morning.”
Perry nods, his brows crashing together as he considers his next words. “Great. So we get to fuck Morelli and get our building back. Now, can we talk about Ash?”
“I’d prefer not to.”
“Too bad, man,” he says in an authoritative tone that has me arching a brow. “You know Ash. She wouldn’t keep this shit from you—from us—unless she was truly scared.”
I bristle at his annoying reason. “It’s irrelevant. I could have protected her and she knew it. There’s no telling what Leo demanded of her in return for his silence. She had access to my office, my home, me.” I grit my teeth, hating the sick feeling in my stomach. “She knew how I felt about the Morellis and kept it from me anyway.”
“He blackmailed her.” Perry grits his teeth. “I want to fucking punch that guy.”
He’s such a child sometimes.
“He’s a Morelli. Did you expect anything less?” My tone is bitter and my surprisingly intelligent brother picks up on it.
“You don’t give a shit about Morelli,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re heartbroken.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Perry, you have to have a heart in order for it to break.”
“You look just like Mom right now.”
A headache forms and I absently rub at my temple. “Ash betrayed our family.”
“What did Leo threaten her with?” he asks, ignoring my statement.
“He has her phone. The night the twatlets ruined her dress and you went to her rescue, Leo had also been involved somehow. Either he was there with them or they gave it to him.” The thought of Leo Morelli seeing my fucking girl crying with her dress ripped to shreds sends a quiver of rage rippling down my spine. “He has all he could ever need on that phone.”
“Which is…”
“Videos of me degrading her. Fucking her. Paying her for filthy deeds including sex.”
“Holy shit,” he chokes out. “What the hell, Winny?”
“My sex life is not up for your judgment.”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass about your sex life,” he snaps, blue eyes blazing with anger that’s rarely directed at me. “I’m worried about Ash. Jesus, man. She’s probably sick about this.”
I scrub my palm over my face in frustration. Perry’s soft heart is pissing me off.
“Ash will be fine,” I growl.
“I should call her—”
“Sit your ass back down.” The fire in my words has him dropping back into his seat, a furious glare on his face.
“So, what happens now?”
“I predict Leo will be upset that, not only did I fuck him over last night with the restaurant in front of his daddy and older brother, but that I also now know about his secret bullshit with Ash. He’ll want to retaliate. Punish her and me both.”
His eyes widen. “He’s going to release the videos and pictures?”
“Presumably so.”
“How are you so fucking calm right now?” Perry demands, his face turning bright red. “Mom is going to shit bricks over this.”
“Mother is the least of my worries right now,” I snap back at him. “The lawsuit will be my primary concern. If those pictures and videos leak out, it’s more evidence against Leo and his breach of the contract we had. I’ll sue his family right out of every goddamn building in this city if I have to.”
“Why not try and stop him before he leaks them out?” Perry’s tone has gone nearly shrill. It doesn’t suit him. “You’re going to let naked pictures of Ash get out for all to see?”
The image of every pathetic man in New York City jerking of to pictures of my Cinderelliott is sickening. I shouldn’t care. I don’t care.
Then why am I contemplating murder of the entire male species right now?
“Because, then it’ll look as though we’ve done something wrong. Like I’m trying to hide something. My and Ash’s sex life is our business. If it gets out, Morelli is the one who’s issued the threats, blackmailed Ash, and delivered on his promise when she didn’t comply with whatever it is he tried to get her to do. The case will be a slam dunk win in our favor.”
I’ll have the Baldridge building back by the end of the week and whatever else I fucking want from those rats.
“Has it happened yet?” He winces but I can tell he’s reluctantly on board with my plans to let Leo dig his own grave.
“Not as of yet, but I imagine it will soon.”
Perry studies me for a beat. “Is this what we do all day? Is this what Dad did?”
My e
yes narrow. “Elaborate.”
“Play these fucked-up games all the time trying to outsmart the opponent.”
“These ‘fucked-up games’ are what sent you to prep school at one of the finest establishments in the country. These ‘fucked-up games’ pay for your muscle cars and wrecked sailboats. These ‘fucked-up games’ make sure you and your kids and your grandkids and your great-grandkids will never want for a goddamn thing. Ever. If this isn’t what you signed up for, Perry, you know where the door is. You can go back to sitting in Mommy’s lap and sucking from her tit.”
“Defensive much?” He shakes his head. “I get that you’re used to everyone trying to fuck you over because we’re Constantines, but don’t insult me, Winny. I love you. You’re my damn brother. If it’s fucked-up games we must play, then I’m always on your team, ready to play them. I guess I didn’t realize there was more to this job than acquisitions and financial world domination. I should have negotiated a higher salary.”
“Prove to me you mean those words and I can guarantee you a lot more than a higher salary.”
Like a new position. One much, much higher. His brows crash together as if to interpret the meaning behind my words. In time, he’ll understand.
A knock on the door of my office is my only warning before Nate pushes inside. His gaze is intense as he sweeps it over the two of us, brows furrowing slightly as though he doesn’t seem to find what he’s looking for.
Ash isn’t here, buddy. Why so obsessed with her, hmm?
“Can I help you?” I lift a brow at him.
“Just checking in. Seems I missed the memo about the meeting.”
Perry remains surprisingly quiet, an impassive expression on his usually telling face. I wait Nate out, offering nothing. It’s at least an hour before he usually shows up.
“Unless Deborah is failing at her job, I don’t have a meeting scheduled with you,” I clip out, an edge to my tone that could flay a man where he stands.
This is the Constantine who’s been hiding.
Ash softened my edges when I can’t be anything but razor-sharp and brutally hard.
Nate adopts an easy grin, the tension leaving his shoulders. “I take it there are no wedding bells in the future?”