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She looked back at me and laughed, but it was angry, not amused. “Not here to take anything from him, huh? Not here to take anything fromme, huh? Is that what today was? You knew about this and wanted to distract me whileMYfather gave you everything? You said all that nice shit in the car about me deserving better to win me over so I wouldn’t get pissed about you manipulating your way into my father’s will and stealing everything out from underneath him,didn’t you?” She screamed that last part, and I jumped a little.
My eyes widened even more. “Harper, I hadnoidea. I meanteveryword I said! I had no clue his estate lawyer was coming today.”
“Thefuckyou didn’t!”
“Hey!” Rick yelled, grabbing her shoulders and spinning her around. “That’s enough! Temperance is a part of this family. Had she not been taken, shealwayswould have been part of the will. She isn’t some secret baby with some random woman I didn’t know about. I knew about her, and I lost her. I love you both equally. You are my baby, and she is my first born. She has just as much right to an inheritance as you do. She isn’tstealinganything, and you need to apologize.”
“Fuck her,” she said coldly.
“Harper Marie Avery!” he yelled. “I’m done. The only issues in this house are the onesyou’recausing.”
I hissed at that. That was too far. Even if she was being a royal bitch, he shouldn’t have said that. He’s playing right into her insecurities and validating them.
“Rick,” I started.
“No,” he snapped. His voice and the look on his face left no room for discussion. “This ends here.” He turned back to Harper. “You need to let this anger and resentment go and get with the program, or there will be consequences. I’ve had enough.”
Not only did every ounce of progress I’d made with her today just get gas poured on it and torched, but I had a feeling that things would only get worse from there.Wayworse.
And when Harper turned to look at me, eyes red, and shooting icy daggers into me, I knew I was right.
“Like I said before.” Her voice was low and dangerous. “Watch your back.”
“Get your ass inside,” Rick said, grabbing her by the arm and practically dragging her inside.
“Welp, that’s probably not a good sign,” Javier said as he walked down the steps. He came to stand by me, leaning against the passenger side of my car.
“No… Uh, I’m pretty sure Rick just inadvertently signed my death warrant.”
“I’d like to say I disagree, but that girl’s diabolical. You need to heed her warning and watch your back. Understand?” I nodded, but didn’t verbally respond, so he continued. “Her mother has done a number on her. She’s extremely insecure, and her father just basically broke every rule in the book. She’s going to blame you for this, and if he doesn’t stop trying to fight your battles, that’s only going to get worse.”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “I warned him of that already.”
Javier huffed. “Well, I don’t think he got the message. Want me to talk to him?”
Part of me thought it was a good idea, but I shook my head. “No. This is family drama, and I have to figure out how to be part of the family—even if it’s just as a friend. I need to figure out how to navigate talking to these people. It’s on me to fix it.”
“Uh-uh. No, no. Don’t do that to yourself. It’s onthem,too. Remember that.” He placed his arm around my shoulders and lightly squeezed, pressing the side of his head against mine. It wasn’t much, but it was comfort. I’d take it.
“Yeah, I’ll try to remember that while I’m looking over my shoulder and sleeping with one eye open.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
DAMIAN
It was the last Saturday night before school started, and that meant it was time for the end of summer costume party at my house. This year’s theme was simple: pajama party. My friends thought it sounded dumb as hell until I explained every chick that came would probably be in panties and a long t-shirt, lingerie, or any other beautiful half-naked combination. Then they lightened up and told me what a great idea it was.
My parents wouldn’t be back from Italy for another month, so I was still able to live my life freely. I had two guys posted at each exit carding people. Anyone under eighteen got a huge red stamp on their hand, and anyone eighteen and over got a green stamp. No freshmen or sophomores under sixteen allowed.
I didn’t care the permitted age—they could drink and wear whatever the hell they wanted. But when it came to sex, the rules were clear. No meant no. Red meant stop. Green meant go. Eighteen-year-olds didn’t touch anyone under eighteen. I might’ve played recklessly with a lot of things, but that was something I took seriously.
Parties were supposed to be fun—not life altering.
I didn’t really give two shits if two reds hook up, but reds and greens didn’t mix. It protected all parties involved and kept my ass out of trouble as the host. Everyone knew not to break the rules at my parties, or they’d have me to deal with. I caught a graduated nineteen-year-old in one of the upstairs rooms with a fifteen-year-old sophomore last year, and I ended up breaking his nose and two ribs. I would have done a lot more had Asher not pulled me off him. And that was when I banned anyone under sixteen.
That creep learned real fucking quick never to step foot at one of my parties again.
Asher and the guys came over earlier and helped me set up. A catering service came in and set up tables with food, snacks, and desserts, and there were two stocked bars ready to go. Given my dad’s best friend was a state senator, we didn’t really worry much about the cops showing up. As long as I didn’t piss off his little fucking princess, and no one drove, he stayed out of my way.
