The Complete Quake Series Boxset - Jacob Chance Page 0,293

“No fucking way.”

“Yes, fucking way. I have someone who’s willing to go to the police and report him. I also have evidence,” he says making air quotes.

“Scott, you can’t fabricate evidence and expect it to stick.” I want to leap over the table and strangle him. Josh would never do anything illegal. I’m positive about this without a single doubt.

“It doesn’t have to stick to do irreparable damage to his reputation. I wonder what the New England Art Association would think about one of their entrants being involved in money laundering.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“I am what I am.” He smiles then winks as he shifts his weight, placing his arms on the table. “When I want something, I go after it.”

“What do you want from me?” I question, leaning back in my chair. I want as much distance between the two of us a possible. Merely smelling his cologne is making me sick. It’s the same one he wore when we were together. It conjures up painful memories of a time in my life I’d prefer to forget.

“You, my dearest will be the dutiful girlfriend you never learned to be. You’re going to do as I say with a smile on your gorgeous face the whole goddamn time. Your main duty will be to please me in any way you can.”

“Why do you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?”

“Oh no, you won’t be pretending. You are mine as of right now. Unless you want to go our separate ways and see how that works out for your artist.”

“Why would you even want me, Scott? We were horrible together.”

“No, you were a brat who wanted her way all the time.” His eyes flash anger and my chest tightens with anxiety. Seeing the crazed look in his gaze brings back all the fear I experienced at his hands.

“Fine, I’ll do what I have to, but you better stay away from Josh or the deal’s off.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll leave your little boy toy alone, as long as you stay away from him.”

“I have to break up with him. I’m not going to stop talking to him and ignore his calls. He deserves an explanation.”

“You better come up with a convincing reason, baby. If he finds out what we’ve discussed tonight then you can kiss his reputation goodbye.”

“You’re such a bastard.”

He shrugs, looking smug. “Elle, there’s always a winner and a loser in every situation. You should know by now which one I am.”

My stomach is so nauseous I can barely drive home. After the bombshell Scott dropped on me, all I want to do is climb in my bed and pretend this night has been a nightmare. This can’t be my life. Of course when everything's going well he had to step in and fuck it all up. I knew it was too good to be true.

Wiping the moisture from my forehead before it can drip down into my eyes, I focus on the road in front of me. Every inch of my body is trembling. Being in Scott’s company was more difficult than I let on.

When I finally escaped inside my car, I collapsed, sobbing with my head on the steering wheel. Thankfully, he didn’t put up a fight that I disobeyed and drove my car. There was no way I was letting him that close to me tonight. Or any other night if I can help it.

But how can I help it?

That’s the million-dollar question.

How do I get Josh out of the mess he’s going to be in because of me?

If I don’t do as Scott says, he’ll follow through with his threats. Maybe I can stall for a few days and give myself time to come up with a plan.

In the meantime, I need to distance myself from Josh; which will be no small feat. He’s imperative to my happiness and a single day without him will be too much, never mind an indefinite amount of time. But loving someone means putting them first, and Josh deserves no less. He would do the same for me. He may not realize why I’m stepping back from our relationship, but I will. Maybe it can be a small consolation for all that I’m sacrificing. For the first time in my life, I’m ready to put someone else’s needs above my own. It’s too bad Josh will never know.

Once I’m home, I barely make it inside my bathroom before I’m bent over heaving into the toilet. Both hands on the cool porcelain