The Punk and the Plaything (When Rivals Play #3) - B.B. Reid Page 0,20

the truth came to light, there would be no amount of money that could compensate for the lies he’d been fed since he was a child.

“I thought I’d take the day off… handle some things on the home front.”

His answer had me pausing, wondering what and how much he knew. He gave nothing away as he continued to sip at his coffee, but I knew better than to underestimate him.

“Have you seen Four?” he questioned as I poured a cup of coffee. “I need to talk to her about her mother.”

I forced a frown, feigning confusion as I took a sip from my mug. “She’s not in her room?”

“I knocked on her door but got no answer. I checked all the spares and then everywhere else. The only rooms I haven’t checked yet is yours… and my son’s.”

I choked on my coffee.

When I finally caught my breath, blinking to clear my vision as well, my voice was hoarse when I spoke. “She probably went over to Tyra’s.” This early in the morning, I doubted it, but what else was there to say? Uncle Thomas had finally handed over the keys to Four’s bike when he came home early one day and caught Ever breaking into his safe. The confrontation had been amusing, to say the least, and was most likely the cause of my uncle’s current suspicions. A lot of good it did Four since Ever still insisted most days that his woman ride with him.

“I thought that too, except her bike is still in the garage.”

Snatching one of Mrs. Green’s muffins from the wicker basket, I stuffed it into my mouth as fast as I could. I hated banana nut, but it was better than the shit that might come spewing out.

Amusement crossed Uncle Thomas’s face before he sighed and set his mug on the table. “So be it.”

I suddenly wished I hadn’t left my phone in my room as I watched him stroll from the kitchen. There was no way for me to warn Four and Ever about the coming storm, so I popped a squat and grabbed another muffin, then remembered it was banana nut and tossed it to the side. I started for the fridge when I remembered that just a few miles away, brunch would be taking place, and Ever, to his misfortune, wouldn’t make it. It had been a month since the intervention, and not a goddamn thing had changed. Ever was still pretending he was in love with my girl, and Four and Bee were both going along with it. Something was up, and not knowing the answer kept me up at night. I’d long ago ceased considering the possibility that it could be true. Thanks to Four, I’d seen what Ever in love looked like. I’d also seen what Bee in love looked like. I’d felt it, too.

There was no fucking way those two shared it with each other.

Running upstairs, I quickly showered and dressed before grabbing my keys and phone and rushing out the door. My stomach growled all the way to my destination, not allowing me time to consider the consequences. When I was this hungry, there was only one girl who could sate me.

I flew through the Montgomery’s open gates, and after hopping out of my ride, I rang the doorbell. To my immense surprise and displeasure an annoyed Barbette answered herself. Where the fuck was the help?

I hated whenever Bee caught me off guard because I’d forget that I wasn’t in love with her anymore. Since we couldn’t turn back time, our only option would be to move forward.

Let’s just say it will be a cold day in hell before I give her my heart again.

“What are you doing here?”

Rather than answer, I forced her back as I stepped inside and shut the door behind me. I didn’t bother to speak until I ran my eyes over every inch of her. She looked soft and pliable in the daisy-printed sundress, and even though she was made of thorns, I briefly entertained the idea of ripping off that deceitful dress and having my way with the ice queen.

“Where’s your father?”

“He’s on the patio. What—”

“Show me,” I demanded before she could waste more of my time. As far as I was concerned, all her fucking questions were rhetorical. No one was going to stop me from doing whatever the hell I wanted. She should know firsthand by now. Placing my hand at the small of her back when she crossed