My Cruel Lover (Wicked Poison #3) - T.L. Smith Page 0,5

agrees.

Well, shit.

I’ve been trying for months to get him to respond, so I guess knowing the place he likes to frequent has helped get me the answer I have wanted to hear.

Standing, I grab my coat and car keys and stop at her desk on my out.

“Jacinta,” I say her name this time, and she startles before lifting her eyes to me. “The Jackpot CEO has asked me to bring a date. Be there at six. Don’t be late. I hate tardiness.” Without giving her a chance to respond, I walk straight to my sister’s office.

Shandy sits on the seat opposite her, her feet kicked up on the desk and a milkshake in one hand. I walk straight past her.

“Oh, no hello, lover boy?”

“Didn’t I fire you already?” Not looking her way, I continue, “Watch what you say to employees, especially since I don’t have the Jackpot account yet. You know I’ve been trying to land it.”

Rylee looks at me, confused.

“Jacinta?” she asks. “She asked what was occupying you so she could help. Did she help?” Rylee asks.

“Just be careful what you share. This company is half yours, remember that.”

“She’s trying to help you, not take you down,” Rylee bites back and turns to look at Shandy.

“Loverboy, who’s the latest squeeze? Did you get any photos like I asked you to?”

“No,” I snap at her.

“Sounds like you have a stick up your ass that needs to be either wiggled or pulled. Which one is it, lover boy?”

Shandy, despite her annoy qualities, isn’t all that bad. I thought about fucking her once, but it turns out she doesn’t like cock. Now she’s become intertwined in my life without my consent.

The door to the office swings open behind me, and I turn around to see Jacinta standing there. Her cheeks go red, and she rolls her lips between her teeth when she notices me.

“Hey, what’s up?” Rylee asks.

Jacinta’s eyes lock with mine before moving to Rylee, and it’s then I notice the color—hazel, with specs of brown throughout.

“It can wait,” Jacinta says, backing out as quickly as she can.

“No, it’s fine. What’s wrong?” Her eyes flick to me, then to Shandy before they go back to Rylee.

“I don’t want to ask, but …” She goes quiet and looks to the floor, then back to Rylee. “Would it be okay if Oliver stayed with you for a while after work?”

I feel Rylee’s eyes on me, but she answers as I knew she would, “Of course. Winter is dying for company. Bring him straight over.”

Jacinta thanks her and walks out.

When she’s gone, Shandy shuts the door, and both sets of eyes lock on mine.

“Why does she need a sitter, brother?” Rylee asks.

“She’s attending a dinner with me.” My sister’s brows rise. “Strictly work. Don’t get any ideas. I would never, ever touch that.”

I shiver at the thought.

That’s a big no.

Shandy gives me some sort of weird look before she averts her eyes, and Rylee offers me a sad smile.

Chapter 4

Jacinta

I would never, ever touch that.

I heard him say the words, and as I pull up at the front of August’s house, that’s all that runs through my mind.

Is there something wrong with me?

How come no one ever loves me?

Why am I so broken?

“Jacinta?” August opens my car door, and I smile at him as I slide out of my car. Oliver gets out next and hugs August’s legs. I watch as Oliver runs off in the yard.

“I’m kind of broken, aren’t I?” I ask August, my eyes slowly finding his.

If anyone understands, it will be him.

August went from having the shittiest mother to ending up in prison. Then finding a love he thought he never deserved. Then me.

Oliver runs back and clings to August’s leg.

“Jacinta.” He shakes his head and looks down at Oliver. “Go inside, buddy. Winter is waiting for you.”

Oliver nods and heads into the house. I watch him go and hope I’m raising him right, that I’m not making him feel less worthy than I feel.

Because honestly, I feel like a failure.

I look up at August, into his beautiful, kind eyes. How could anyone see a monster there when all I see is someone who was willing to give me a chance and protect me when no one else would. He may have never loved me, but somewhere along the line, I loved him.

“Thanks for this. Mr. Harley requested I go to a meeting with him tonight, and I can’t afford to lose this job.” My hand pushes my hair back