Page 152 of The Bitter Words

“When?”

“That time you wanted your dad’s credit card.” Jax’s breathing kicks up. “You called himDaddyand used his emotional ties to you being his little girl against him so you could get some new clothes.”

“When was that?”

“The day I met you.”

I think back to when that was. Something he said to me once comes to mind.

I arch a brow. “You told me you barely remembered that day.”

“When did I say that?”

“At my parents’ networking party. You know the one. It’s when I met your lover, Cindy.” I smirk in a gotcha kind of way. “Is that still a thing? Or just club nights at Elite-Sinsations?”

His jaw tightens and he turns red. My phone rings and I answer it.

“Hello?”

“Happy New Year’s, darling!” My dad’s cheery voice sings through the line. “Your mom and I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.”

“Oh. Hi, Daddy. I was just talking about you.”

“Why?”

A mischievous ripple bubbles up in my chest and I smile at Jax. “Because I’m sitting here with one of your friends.”

Jax jumps off the couch, slices his hands through the air, and mouths, “Do not tell him I’m with you.”

Why? What can it hurt?

Chapter Thirty-Two

JAXON/JAX

Then

Stolen Fabric & The Jetstream Goodbyes

The latch catches, and what lingers burns like a debt I can’t afford.

Livianna flashes me a wicked gleam and returns her attention to the phone call she’s having with her dad. “I’m with Jaxon Crowne.”

What the hell, Livianna? I just told you NOT to tell him I’m with you.

This woman really knows how to fuck with me. That’s it. I’m done putting myself in situations with her where it could end my career.

Or worse, my life. If he finds out she spent the night in my suite, I could be in some serious trouble. Something I should’ve thought about last night.

Greg Hemings protects anything and everything he cares about in whatever ruthless tactic he finds necessary. I’ve known this about him for a long time and he’s going to have a conniption fit.

Just as I suspect, Livianna starts backpedaling. “Daddy, calm down. I didn’t stay the night with him. We’re meeting for breakfast.”

My heart slams against my ribs with each beat it takes. I pace in front of her and try to figure out what I’m going to tell her dad if he asks.

She speaks again. “Because he’s helping me with a strategic plan for Livianna Grace Designs.”

What? How did she come up with that? And he won’t likely believe it considering he knows I’m leaving the country soon.