Page 52 of Her Filthy Mistake

“I have my reasons, and you’re not important enough to know what they are.”

“She can get another job with a different label.” My heartbeat makes the skin at the base of my neck bounce with each beat. He’s right. This has always been her dream. And she’s proud of what she does. Someone else will hire her. “If she quits, that means she’s chosen me…." I cock my chin up, refusing to let him intimidate me. This time, there’s no reason to be ashamed. “Over you. And there’s no way I’m walking away from her.”

“You’re a fool.” He laughs, sending a chill down my spine. “I’ve already planted the seed of doubt in her head. That blonde bombshell was a gift dropped onto my lap.” He smirks. “The one you hooked up with when you first got onto the island and again two nights ago after Zoe went to sleep.”

“I didn’t. I wouldn’t have done that, and she knows it.”

“Does she?” He pulls up his suit jacket and glances at his Rolex. “The story is hitting the press tonight. It’ll be everywhere by morning. There’s even a photo of you kissing the same woman at the airport before you left. She’s your girlfriend, and you’ve been using my daughter to get my label to notice you.”

“You fucking son of a bitch. None of that is true.” I stalk toward him, ready to beat the fuck out of his face, but he raises his hand. And out of respect for Zoe, I stop, rage flowing over me like a river.

“AI makes everything true. As do the messages between you and this woman who’ll swear in a court of law that it’s all true. The two of you did this so that you could get into Zoe’s pants, get a record deal, and then you and Miss Floozy could live happily ever after, raking the money in. All while my daughter loses everything.”

“You’re a fucking asshole.”

“Yes.” He nods. “Yes, I am.”

“Fuck you.” I raise my arm back, aim, and hit him in the cheek so hard his head snaps backward. But fighting him and ruining Zoe’s life and reputation aren’t worth it. I’m not worth it.

For a second, I pretended that I could come out on top. That we could come out on top. But he’s too powerful. The industry is too powerful, and I don’t have the money or resources to win. Just like in the past, he has the upper hand. But now, he can make anything true at the click of a mouse.

There’s no question he blacklisted me. But now, it’s about Zoe. She’ll lose everything she’s worked for. And to do what? Follow me to Vegas and work at a casino while I run security for Everleigh? “I hate you. You’re the most disgusting person I’ve ever met.”

“Good.” He laughs, sending a chill down my spine. “I don’t care who you hate as long as you stay out of Zoe’s life.”

I punch him twice more. Once in the cheek again and once in the gut. He grunts and doubles over, only to steady himself, yank a handkerchief out of his pocket, and wipe the blood off his face.

“That’s also going to the press. And the police.” He smirks. “I caught you in a lie. You got angry, and you beat up an older, out-of-shape man. That’ll only add to your reputation and solidify you’ll never break into the music industry.”

He sets down a baggie of white powder and dumps the contents onto the end table. “In a coke-fueled rage, you proved once again what a loser you are. The police will be here in a few minutes.” He lifts his chin upward. “Who do you think they’ll believe? Me? Or you?” He smirks. “Now, what are you going to do? Go peacefully by telling Zoe what she needs to hear to ensure she doesn’t spend one more second pining for you? Or spend the next ten years in a Saint Lucia prison for drug possession and first-degree assault, ruin her life, and continue to never amount to anything?”

Rage is too mild of a word to describe the lethal feelings coursing through my veins. I snatch up the crystal bottle of whiskey that never once tempted me while living in paradise, pop the lid, let the liquid burn down my throat, and hurl the bottle at his face. It only misses him because he dodges his head, smashing into the wall and sending splinters of glass in every direction. Fletcher’s hair and jacket are pelted with shards of glass and whiskey.

If I had another one, I wouldn’t miss.

Chapter Thirty

Zoe

When I open the door, my mouth drops at the scene in front of me. My father’s face is bleeding. There’s glass littered on the carpet. The room reeks of whiskey, and Jace’s eyes are bloodshot as he fists and un-fists his hands while standing in a squared-off position inches from my father.

“What’s going on?” My heart pounds in my ears as I try to make sense of the last few minutes. I was on my way to the bungalow after leaving my dad when my half-sister and stepmother stopped me. When I finally got away, I heard yelling and the sound of glass breaking.

“Your father came to greet me,” Jace bites out without containing an ounce of his anger.

“Jace, it’s fine.” I step around the glass and walk toward him.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, dear.” My father eyes Jace with disdain. “When I showed up and confronted him about his dalliance with that woman I told you about, he spilled his guts. About her. About her being his girlfriend. About using you to get close to me. Everything he did was calculated down to the last second. Until he got caught. And then, like the spineless pig he is, he started drinking and snorting coke. I’m sorry he tricked you, but leopards don’t change their spots. He’s still a manipulator and a user.”

“That’s ridiculous.” I glare at my father. “You’re impossible. I realize you don’t approve of Jace, but that’s no reason to lie about him and to say such vile things. I know he’s not seeing that woman, and he’s no longer using.” I turn to face Jace. “Right?”

He swallows hard but doesn’t meet my gaze. “He’s right.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “He’s right about all of it.”

My stomach churns as the lunch we had earlier rises in my throat. This can’t be true. It can’t. “He’s right about what?”

I bite my lips together to keep from crying. What my dad said can’t be true. Jace wasn’t using me. That’s not possible. He was….

My legs tremble as he steps closer, and I smell the whiskey on his breath. He grabs my upper arms and stares into my eyes. “I planned this entire thing. It was my intention to get close to you so I could get back into the music industry. I intentionally played your weakness for the underdog. And your even stronger desire to champion a reformed bad boy. You fell for it without sensing a thing was wrong.” His laughter is humorless as he stabs me in the heart, twisting and digging it deeper with each word.

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