Page 207 of My Five Daddies

My eyes go a little wide. “Shewhat?”

“Yeah,” he says. “She’ll tell the world I’m an abusive rapist or some shit if I don’t stay with her until she gets anotherjob.”

“Holy shit,” I whisper. “Jackson, that’s insane. She’s blackmailingyou.”

“Yeah,” he grunts. “And I don’t know what the fuck to do about it.” He stops and faces me, and I turn to facehim.

“Whatever I can do to help,” I saysoftly.

He reaches out and takes my hand, pulling me against him. He kisses me hard, surprising me for a second, but quickly I fall into his kiss. I let myself enjoy it, even if it’s dangerous and stupid to push thisthing.

Slowly he breaks it off. “I just need you to know… Holly means nothing tome.”

“And why do I need to know that?” I askhim.

“I want you to trust meagain.”

I look away, down at the ground. “That’s going to take some time,” Isay.

“I know.” He tips my chin up and makes me look him in the eye. “But I’m trying. I don’t want anything to do with Holly, but I don’t know how to get out ofit.”

I look into his eyes, and I believe him. I don’t know what it is about his expression but it’s the most sincere thing I’ve ever seen. I stand up on my toes and kiss him softly on the mouth, not sure what’s coming over me, and he kisses meback.

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll let youtry.”

“Got any ideas about how I can get out of this with Holly, or am I justfucked?”

I shake my head. “No clue. But I know someone whomight.”

He cocks his head. “Who?”

“She’s a little weird and loves the Power Rangers apparently, but Laney’s the smartest person I know. If anyone can help, I bet it’sher.”

“You think we can trust her?” he asks me. “This story… if it leaks… it’ll be huge. And Holly will gooff.”

“We can trust her,” I say. “I trust Laney witheverything.”

“Okay,” he says. “Let’s go askher.”

We head back to the apartment, holding hands, and I don’t know what that means. But it makes my heart beat fast and it feels good, really good, to have his hand in mine. I’m trying not to overanalyze this moment. I’m trying to enjoyit.

We get back to the apartment, and Laney is right where we left her. Once inside, we sit down and I launch into the story. I tell her the whole thing, about how we’re sleeping together, about his fake relationship with Holly, everything. Jackson adds in any details I don’t know, and when we’re finished, Laney isfrowning.

“What do you think?” he asksher.

“Sounds like a fucking crazy story,” she says. “Can I write a script aboutit?”

He laughs a little. “You can option my story if you come up with a goodplan.”

Her eyes light up, and I know she’s taking him seriously. “It’s a deal,” shesays.

“Okay then.” He grins at her and they shakehands.

“Give me a few hours,” Laney says. “I think I can come up with a solution to yourproblem.”

“You sure?” I askher.

“Positive. Just leave me to my work.” She grabs her laptop and a pair of headphones. “Don’t bother me until themorning.”

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