Page 115 of Forgive You

Ah, see, this is where the real Jason comes through. The manipulator. The negotiator. The one who already knows what he wants. Knows what he’s going to get, but can’t help wondering if there’s more to gain for his selfless ass.

I’ve played into this hand of his many times.

“Tell me what you want first.”

His eyebrows move up, a little bit of a surprise dancing in his gaze as he holds mine. The skin around his eyes creases as he bites his lip, but I see the ghost of a smile that’s sitting in the corner.

“You’ve changed. You’re different.”

“I’m fed up,” I snap. “Just tell me what the fuck you want, or I’m walking out of here, right now.”

His hands move up in mock surrender, the whiskey almost sloshing out of the glass. “It’s a compliment.”

“I’m not really aiming for compliments from you anymore, Jacob.”

“No, I guess my brother took that position, didn’t he?”

This man has cheated on me multiple times, yet he still manages to sound bitter when he finds out I’m dating his brother.

“Just get to the damn point. What. Do. You. Want?”

“I want your share.”

My share?My share.

“You want myshare?” My lashes rapidly flutter in disbelief. “Myshare?”

“Yes, your share.”

“My share in what?” Because he can’t be saying what I think he’s saying, right?

He wanted a promotion handed on a silver platter, and he got it when I left. He wanted to become my dad’s sidekick, and I assumed he wanted it to gain a network and eventually screw him over and start his own company.

So, he’s gotta be talking about something else, right?

But the deep, torturous beat of my heart already holds the answer.

“I want your share of Bradford Real Estate.”

No.

“My share? The share I automatically got by birth? The one that my father created as a gift for hiskids?”

“Yes! Your share!” His facade drops, his patience wearing thin.

My eyes widen. My words evaporate.

“You and Jason are gonna build something up together,” he goes on, as a bitter expression wrinkles his face. “You don’t even need it.”

Rage makes my heart thunder. “That’s beside the point! It’s mine!”

He shrugs. “Yeah, well, I want it, or I will publish the video, and you can both kiss your careers goodbye.” His gaze holds mine. “Do you really think NVS is going to keep you when they find out you’re a part time Pornhub star? Or Jason finding new clients when his bare ass is going viral? Not to mention, how awkward it will be when he takes you as his plus one and every man has seen your pussy.”

A condescending laugh bubbles from his chest, heat burning up mine like hot oil has been poured over my skin.

There are parts of me that were scared of this man. That tried to please him while he stood on his pedestal, but my fear is replaced with sadness and so many questions?

What happened to him that made him so ruthless and bitter? I feel so sorry for him. He’s not even a fraction of the man he aims to be. He’s nothing but a sad little boy, mad at the world.

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