her the open-face helmet she called number six. I liked that it was red, shiny, and had Hellfire written on the side in white. She wore number thirteen. Another open-face that Ever had gifted to her this past Christmas. He’d designed the skull on the back with high, purple pigtails and in black grunge underneath the words Ever’s Wild Thang, giving it a Harley Quinn vibe. “If my father comes home early and he sees you, he’ll know I’m here. I can just ride my bike back.”
“But—”
I quickly shut her up by pressing my lips against hers and laughed when her eyes widened before blinking rapidly. When I pulled away from our awkward kiss, she watched me in that same curious way Jamie had when we were in Atlantic City.
“I don’t know why I was ever worried about you and Ever… you seem more attracted to me than him.”
Winking, I turned and walked away. It was true I had a bit of a girl crush on Four, but who wouldn’t? She was strong, badass, and reminded me so much of the girl I used to be. After eighteen years, I’d finally found a female I could call my friend.
I also realized that perhaps I was being a tad overzealous about that and should chill the fuck out.
Girl or not, Ever wouldn’t hesitate to kick my ass if he thought I was poaching on his territory, and I didn’t need his emotionally fragile cousin getting the wrong idea either. Jamie was who I wanted. He was more than just the person I’d fallen for. He was my soulmate.
I was surprised to find that my key still worked. The moment I stepped through the door, I heard the roar of Four’s motorcycle as she raced away and let out the breath I’d been holding.
The last thing I wanted to do was put my newfound friends in danger. I didn’t know how far my father would be willing to go to keep me here if I was caught.
So I guess I better not get caught.
Deciding not to leave anything up to chance, I checked all the rooms before retracing my steps back to my father’s office. Every Monday, my mother had her grooming appointment, and for as long as I could remember, she never missed it.
I pushed into my father’s office, knowing it wouldn’t be locked. It wasn’t that Elliot Montgomery had nothing to hide. He simply had no fear of his wife and daughter ever stepping out of bounds.
Well, today’s the day, asshole.
I took in the dark oak of his large desk, the matching wood-paneled walls, the plush furniture, and the remaining antiques he hadn’t sold off yet. This was the place where he’d spent so much of his time discussing selling me like I was his prized cow. All so he could keep his pretty things.
Sauntering over to the statue that was probably worth a hefty penny, I lovingly ran my fingers over the marble before sending it crashing to the wooden floor.
Whoops.
I lifted the Japanese vase my father could never resist showing off to his guests. I could remember him mentioning that he’d won it at an auction for over seventy-five big ones. So beautiful. Such a shame that it didn’t go with the décor.
Clumsily, I let it slip from fingers.
There were a few first edition classics, each worth over ten grand, but I couldn’t bring myself to destroy those, so I grabbed the crystal decanter of red wine and one of the glasses on the shelf underneath. Sadly, when I went to pour, I missed the cup entirely, spilling red wine all over the rug that set my father back forty grand.
By the time I was done, my father’s office had looked like a tornado was let loose inside. There wasn’t a single thing of value left to sell.
Satisfied, I sank into the desk chair and typed in his computer password. I bet he had no clue that I knew. Or maybe he did and figured I’d never put it to use—such arrogance.
The first thing I pulled up was his email. My stomach turned when I saw the many recent emails he’d sent bragging about me to his friends, golf buddies, and even some of his business associates—most of whom had sons and… some who didn’t. Gross.
In all of them, he’d attached various photos of me while boasting of my docility and subservience. I was relieved to see that some of the men hadn’t taken the bait and steered