Page 104 of Malicious Intentions

Lexi looks up at me, drowning me in the emotions flowing from her eyes. “I agree, Jaxson. I chose the best man here.” She squeezes my hand. “The guy I’ll call my husband sooner than later.”

Zayne rubs his hands together. “I can’t wait to officiate the wedding.”

We’re drawn from the lighthearted moment by a sharp voice. “Lexi.” Her mother heads toward us with my father beside her. “I texted you.”

Lexi meets my eyes and squeezes my hand before turning her attention to her mother. “I know. I figured it could wait until tomorrow.”

“It can’t,” Cynthia hisses, her eyes darkening as she looks at our joined hands. She steps in front of me and points her finger at my chest. “Your father and?—”

Lexi smacks her mother’s finger away. “Don’t you point at him like that.”

Pride causes my chest to puff out as she steps in front of me like the little warrior she is.

“Alexis! Don’t act disrespectful to your mother. Especially after acting like a damn whore?—”

I’m in front of Lexi, my fist connecting with my father’s nose before he can get another word out. “Don’t ever fucking call the woman I love a whore again.”

“Preston.” Lexi’s mom grabs his arm as his head snaps back. Her voice is full of fake concern before her eyes narrow on me. “How dare you.”

“No, how dare you. The two of you come here, acting like a bunch of irrational assholes instead of having a civilizedconversation. Then my father calls her a whore. He’s lucky I didn’t do more than punch his nose.”

Lexi’s hand grips my bicep as she moves beside me. She glares at her mother. “He’s right. Why the hell are you here, anyway?”

Her cold gaze slides to Lexi. “We received an email and some photos from Professor Huntley. He was very concerned about your grade in his class. He said Evan showed up and disrupted his class.” She heaves out a breath, a horrified look on her face. “He made some damning accusations about the two of you.”

“My grade in his class is low because I wouldn’t fuck him. That asshole cut me with a knife...” Her voice shakes with rage and pain.

I wrap my arm around her, pulling her against me as I press my lips against the top of her head.

“The things we saw in the pictures are true. You two are involved,” my dad says, wiping the blood from beneath his nose with his hand. “She’s your stepsister, Evan. And you’re her professor.” He eyes me with disgust.

“I’m also the man who loves her more than the two of you ever will. The one who will do anything to protect her.” I squeeze her tighter, not giving a shit about anything else. “I plan to spend the rest of my life with her.”

My dad murmurs curses. “You better hope you don’t get fired over this scandal. If Huntley?—”

“Huntley’s dead.”

The color drains from my father’s face as he sees the demon in my eyes. “And I have enough ammunition against him to destroy his reputation.”

“That’s right.” Trent steps forward. “I helped Evan gather the information when he became aware that Huntley was harassing Lexi. The administration has a lot of evidence to sift through on Monday morning.”

My father’s cold, hardened eyes return to mine. “If you choose her…” he sneers at Lexi. “You won’t be welcome in my home or life ever again.”

A slow smile spreads across my face. “And you won’t be welcome in ours. Any grandchildren we have will never know either of you.”

“Oh, dear God. I hope you’re not pregnant,” Cynthia wails, her hand on her forehead.

Lexi rolls her eyes. “No, Mom. I’m not pregnant. But if I were, I’d be thrilled.” She squeezes my hand, staring into my eyes. “I’m gonna marry this man soon anyway.”

“All funds are being cut, effective immediately. Your credit card will be canceled tomorrow.” My father glares at Lexi. “Good luck paying for college.”

“I already paid her tuition for next semester. Next year as well.” I stare at him, a challenge in my eyes. “I invested my inheritance from mom wisely.”

Jaxson and Zayne step closer, and my dad’s eyes grow wide with fright as they flank Lexi, Trent, and me, their arms crossing over their massive chests.

“Evan has been doing some work for us. As has Trent,” Zayne says.

“These two guys are fucking loaded. I’m pretty sure your son has triple your wealth.” Jaxson’s Cheshire cat smile and hard eyes indicate he knows he just rammed the proverbial knife into my father’s chest where it hurt the most.

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