Covet - Eve Vaughn Page 0,73
clearly. “I’d kept that thumb drive because even after all your mother had done, he didn’t want you to hate her. He had a forgiving heart.”
“Maybe a little too forgiving,” he muttered under his breath, but I managed to hear what he said.
“He had a kind heart. And that was one of the things I loved about him, his generous spirit. It’s his capacity to forgive that guides me now.”
“So why did you send it to me now?”
“Because eventually you would hear a lot of things come out in the trial, and there was a very good chance some of his more frequent patients like your mother would probably have to testify. I thought it would be best if you found out this way.”
“You knew what was on the thumb drive you took. Why didn’t you take the other ones, especially the one that made you look as guilty as hell?”
“I just glanced through them, and since they didn’t mention anything about your mother other than her being overbearing, I let them be.”
“But you have to know which one I’m referring to, the one that makes you look like you were using him for his money.”
I leaned my head against the window. Until I’d read that, I had no idea that Kenny had romantic feelings towards me. Sure, he said he loved me all the time, and I’d laugh because I thought he was joking. Had I known, we probably would have had a serious discussion about it, but I hate that I had unwittingly hurt him. “They were his thoughts, and I let them be. I didn’t know he’d felt that way about me actually. I loved him too, and I’m sure he loved me, but I believed it was in the platonic sense.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, Frankie, kind, generous, and loyal. Why wouldn’t he have loved you? Kenny may have had health issues, but he was still a man.”
I stole a glanced at Nick once more. “Why are you being so complimentary to me all of a sudden? Is it because of your guilty conscience? Ultimately I did take money from Kenny to marry him.”
“Yes, for your brother. And that’s why you needed that money from me wasn’t? For your brother’s rehabilitation?”
“How did you—?
“How did I know?” He took his eyes off the road for a moment to shoot me a smile. “When you have means, there’s not much information you don’t have access too.”
“I see. I guess you no longer see me as a gold-digging whore?” I pursed my lips and crossed my arms over my chest.
He let out a heavy sigh. “I wanted to give you a proper apology, but I guess I’m not doing a good job at this.”
I shrugged. “I mean, kidnapping me isn’t exactly the way to go about it.” Just then I noticed that he’d turned down a familiar street and then… “Oh hell no, take me home. I’m not going to be a prisoner in your house again.”
He ignored me until he pulled up into his driveway. “We’re here.”
“I’m not going back in there to be your prisoner.”
“You’re going back in there because we still have some things to sort out between us.”
I sunk into my seat and refused to move. Nick on the other hand got out of the vehicle, came to my side of the car, opened the door, and unfastened my seatbelt. I slapped his hands away when he attempted to pull me out of the car, but he gripped my forearms and yanked me out. Somehow, I found myself over his shoulder once again. I kicked and screeched and beat his back as he carried me inside his house seemingly completely unfazed.
As soon as he put me down after closing the door, I reared my hand back and smacked him across the face as hard as I could creating a deafening sound. As soon as I did it, I regretted it a little, but only a little. He had that coming.
“What the hell is your problem? What did I do to deserve being dragged here so unceremoniously?”
He flared his nostrils and touched his now bright red cheek. “Are you finished having your tantrum?”
“Are you serious? You brought me here against my will, and you say I’m throwing a tantrum? Haven’t you taken enough from me already? My body, my self-respect, and heart? What else do you want from me?”
He raised a brow. “Your heart? Do I still have it?”
I didn’t need this shit. Even after months of