Page 49 of Such A Bad Girl

I pulled out several stacks of cash and threw them in a duffel bag on my bed. Then I changed my clothes, disguising myself as best as I could with large dark sunglasses, a short black wig, and a thick scarf to hide behind if necessary. Sturdy sneakers, and a pair of worn jeans made me look like anyone else on the street. Or so I hoped.

When I drove off in my white Aston Martin, the gates of my estate closing behind me, a sharp twinge of fear ripped through my gut. Coupled with pangs of guilt for not telling Charlie or Theo where I was going. I pushed it all away.

One last time, I thought about calling Theo. But, I knew he’d demand that I not go at all and I was tired of feeling like this black cloud was hanging over my head. If all it took was a little cash to make this problem go away, then I was willing to pay it. I knew it was a cloud over Theo’s head, too.

Maybe if he saw I could handle this, he might let me take a stab at West, too.

Ignoring everything but the need to make this problem disappear, I hit the gas pedal. The roar of the powerful engine propelled me through the darkness of the night, the sparkling lights of the city beckoning from down below like fallen stars.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

THEO

Sunlight drifted through my window. The salty air greeted me as I woke up. The sounds of seagulls, and traffic, and crashing waves were so familiar that they barely registered some days. But this morning felt different.

The images and thoughts that usually flashed in my head when I woke up each morning were usually work related, but they were now replaced by images from the other day. Everleigh’s face. Everleigh’s body. The look in her eyes as I’d pulled away. I groaned, plagued with regret and uncertainty.

Padding out to my kitchen, I made coffee and drank it slowly as I stared out at the ocean. The bright morning soberness rendered my thoughts crystal clear.

My feelings were undeniable.

I wasn’t sure if Everleigh only wanted me for sex, or if she had actual feelings for me. But I was sure that if she did feel something for me, if she possibly wanted a future with me, then I was done fucking around. I had a plan.

Step one was to ask her how she felt. Bluntly, plainly, vulnerably.

If she said she did have feelings for me, then step two was to confront West. I’d tell him the truth and let him deal with it like a fucking adult.

Life was short. Why should she and I deny ourselves? Being with Everleigh felt electric. I’d never felt more alive than I did yesterday with her in my office. I was done with this dance of uncertainty and forbidden lust. We were all adults, for fuck’s sake. Including West.

If it so happened that Everleigh answered no to my question, then I could at least, once and for all, attempt to let go and move on. I knew that wouldn’t be easy, but it wouldn’t be impossible.

Everleigh wasn’t the only woman in the world, I reminded myself.

Even if she was the only one that I really wanted…

I watched as a seagull landed in the sand a few yards away. He stood, staring out at the ocean, looking as pensive as I felt.

The decisions I made today could change my whole life.

By telling West about my feelings for his sister, I knew I would be risking both our partnership and our friendship. It was a big risk, not to be taken lightly.

Before I made all of these very big moves, I needed some counseling. I texted Rian, told him I was on my way to his place to talk to him about something important, and then jumped in the shower.

I knew I could count on him to tell me the truth. If I was making a colossal mistake, he would tell me. If I was signing my death wish, he’d stop me.

By the time I got to his house an hour later, I was nervous as hell. He buzzed me in through his gate. I made my way up the long curvy driveway, the weeping willow trees greeting me with graceful waves of yellow leaves that rained down on me as I got out of the car.

The front door opened, and two gorgeous women emerged with huge smiles on their faces. They were scantily dressed, with tousled hair and smeared makeup. They kissed Rian goodbye and jogged out to a waiting car.

Rian, wearing nothing but a pair of Levi’s, smiled sheepishly at me.

“Some things never change,” I mused, as I walked past him into the house.

He shut the door behind me and laughed at himself. “Yeah, yeah, I know. But hey, they were hot and playful, and we had a good time.”

“It’s all so easy for you, huh?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, like he didn’t have a care in the world. “It is what it is, Theo. Don’t act like it isn’t easy for you, too.”

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