Page 34 of Targeted By Desire

Her brow twitched, threatening to raise at my bluntness. Unlike Isabelle, I wasn’t hesitant to call them out on their bullshit games. I didn’t have the time nor the tolerance for them. Chelsea hid the bruise on her ego with a wider smile. “Well, according to Justin…the dinner never happened.”

That motherfucker. I should’ve known he wouldn’t keep his mouth shut about the disaster the other night. But, I expected him to give an earful to my step-father - not one of the groupies fighting for a spot on his arm.

“Justin says he passed out while he was waiting at the restaurant and woke up in bed with bruises on his arms. Said it was the strangest thing that’s ever happened to him. Would you care to fill in some of the blanks?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you accusing me of something?”

“No, of course not!” She feigned offense, her fingers flying to her chest. “I just didn’t know if you saw something happen to him. With your line of work, I thought you’d be able to offer some insight on what might’ve happened.”

“Knowing Justin, he probably had too much to drink. He’s a big fan of scotch; you’ll find out soon enough.” My chair scraped against the floor as I stood. “Excuse me.”

Grabbing my purse off the back of my chair, I stormed off, leaving the ladies whispering about my sudden departure.

Another chair scraped against the floor, and I heard Isabelle call my name. “Wait!” She yelled, her heels clicking as she raced after me. “Simone!”

I slowed my stride so she could catch up, but I didn’t stop. “Your friends are bitches,” I told her.

“I know. I’m sorry.” She grabbed my arm. “But don’t leave.”

“If I don’t, one of them is getting slapped. It’s for the best.”

Isabelle stood in front of me, blocking my way. “Please,” she pleaded. “I’ll talk to Chelsea - tell her to take that stick out of her ass.”

I scoffed. “As if she’ll listen.” I tried to move past her, but she wouldn’t allow it. “Izzie, can you please -”

“Are you alright?” She asked, her voice softer than before. Her brows were stitched together, and her lips were pulled in a frown.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You didn’t say anything happened…with Justin.”

“Because there was nothing to say. Our date didn’t happen.”

“But something else clearly did. The question is: what?”

I averted my eyes. I wasn’t sure what to tell Isabelle. That a hitman almost killed me that night. That he’s been haunting my dreams. That I can’t even relax in the comfort of my own home without feeling the chill of his eye on me.

She wouldn’t know what to do with all of that.

Besides, I didn’t want her worrying about me. She was living in a bridal fairytale right now. I wasn’t going to be the evil step-sister that tore it apart.

“I’ve gotta go,” I said. “But, I love you, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

Isabelle let me pass this time, her shoulders deflating. “Simone,” she called after I took a few steps away.

I looked over my shoulder at her. My heart nearly broke at the frown on her face.

“I’m here if you ever wanna talk.”

Tears pricked behind my eyes from the sincerity dripping from her words. “I know,” I murmured. “Thanks.”

I turned away before she could see the moisture glazing over my irises.

At times like this, I couldn’t help but wish Isabelle had a better sister. She deserved more than what I was able to give.

THE ASSASSIN

The Simone Show was my new favorite program to watch after a long day.