Page 72 of Dirty Heirs

“Not anymore.” He peeled the phone from my fingers and chucked it into the trashcan under my desk. “You won’t need to call anyone where you’re going.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, shoving my hands onto my hips. “What are you talking about?”

My dad scared the hell out of me when his top lip quivered. He looked like a pit bull ready to attack and would bite me if provoked.

“You’re not safe in Beacon Bay anymore. The man who almost killed you was an associate of Declan O’Shea.” He set his intense gaze on me, and my skin nearly turned to dust from the heat of his anger. “You stupid, stupid girl. The Wellingtons are allies of the O’Sheas. I warned you not to trust anyone outside of our inner circles. You lied and said Alex’s last name was Fox.”

“It was Fox,” I shot back. “A few months ago. Her grandfather adopted Aiden and her when they moved to Devil’s Creek.”

“She’s a Wellington now, and that’s the only thing that matters.” He slapped his hand on my back and shoved me toward the walk-in closet. “Pack a suitcase and be ready within the hour.”

“What?” I stammered, chills spreading down my spine. “Where am I going?”

“To live with your aunt Cara in Dublin,” he said with a wicked smirk.

“No way! I’m not moving to Ireland. I only have a few months left until I graduate.”

He stepped forward and slipped his hand beneath my chin, fixing his soulless eyes on me. “You won’t make it until graduation if you stay here. This is not open for discussion.” His grip on me tightened, digging into my jaw. “The arrangements are made. Your aunt is expecting you.”

“No… But…” My eyes flooded with tears, and I didn’t bother to blink them away as they spilled down my cheeks. “Please, Dad. Don’t do this to me. I promise I’ll never talk to Aiden and Alex.”

He paused as if considering my proposal and lowered his hand, allowing me to move my jaw again. “Your mother is dead. And if that piece of shit had gotten his hands on you…” Dad scrubbed a hand across the five o’clock shadow on his face and sighed. “We’re done discussing this matter. Get your things together and do it quickly. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” I choked out, biting back another wave of tears.

After he left the room, I darted over to the desk. On my hands and knees, I sorted through the trash and found the phone. A web of broken glass spread across the screen. The metal exterior was dented and had a bunch of scrapes.

I pushed the Power button, but nothing happened. Not even the red low battery message flashed. So I connected it to the charger, still no power, and headed into the closet to gather whatever I could fit into a suitcase. After adding clothing, painting supplies, my favorite mangas, and a few graphic novels, I tried the phone again.

It still wouldn’t turn on.

I didn’t know Aiden’s number to tell him about the move. My stomach twisted into knots when I thought about him. He would never understand… or would he? Aiden wasn’t like the other Founders. He grew up in a shitty environment, abused and neglected, left to fend for himself.

There was no escaping my father. He would get his way no matter what. I’d never get to say goodbye to Aiden… or tell him I was falling in love with him.

Chapter Thirty-Three

AIDEN

I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring. Throughout painting class, I stared at Ella’s empty desk instead of focusing on the canvas. Deep in my bones, I knew something was wrong with Ella. She hadn’t returned a single call or text all weekend.

We had plans for her to sleep over on Saturday night without sending a text. Nothing. Radio silence since Friday afternoon.

When the class ended, I let out a relieved breath. I had trouble concentrating, my thoughts drifting back to Ella too often to pay attention in class. At least it was time for lunch. Monday was pasta bar day and my favorite of the week. But for once in my life, I didn’t feel like eating.

“Aiden,” a deep voice boomed from behind me. “Wait up.”

I considered walking away without turning back, but it was Sonny—my kryptonite—so I stopped and waited for him to catch up.

His strong hand caressed my shoulder as we moved toward the dining hall in silence. I was instantly reminded of how good he felt our last time together, and I missed him.

But I would never admit it.

Things between us had been tense since his football buddies started giving Ella shit. He said he never told them the three of us had sex and figured it out on their own.

It didn’t matter.

I still hated him.

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