Page 58 of Daddy's Wild Girl

However, she could tell from that stubborn look on his face that he wouldn’t tell her.

And perhaps she didn’t actually want to know.

“Come on, girl. Get down.” Hayes gestured at her while Corbin watched her carefully, hovering over her as she slid to the edge of the roof.

Grabbing her blanket, she tucked it around herself.

“Here, I’ll just throw that down so it doesn’t get in your way,” Corbin said.

“I’m used to it,” she replied. “Although I managed to step on it as I was climbing up and nearly fell backward. Won’t do that again.”

He tensed and she risked a glance up at his face.

Yeah, that was the wrong thing to say.

“I’m just going to get down off the roof now,” she said hastily.

“That would be for the best,” Hayes said.

15

Bebe walked out of the restaurant, smiling up at Corbin, who had his hand on the small of her back. She felt light. Happy

As though anything was possible.

The world was brighter . . . everything seemed so colorful and fun after so long being weighed down in the dark . . .

Suddenly, people surrounded her, screaming at her.

Lights went off in her face.

“Trust fund baby!”

“So talentless! She couldn’t get a real job.”

“Must be nice to live off Daddy’s money.”

“Reckless. Dumb. Selfish.”

“Too fat.”

“Too thin.”

Her breathing came in sharp pants. She couldn’t handle it; the fear was riding her hard. She turned toward Corbin, but he was glaring down at her as well.

“It’s not . . . that’s not me!” she cried.

“Of course it is, Belle,” a pompous voice said from behind her. “That’s always been you. You need a firm hand to keep you under control or you turn into a self-absorbed, entitled brat.”

She stared at the asshole. “This isn’t real! You’re not here!”

Spinning, she saw Ericc.

“I never loved you, Bebe. Why would I love you? You’re so stupid, believing that it was ever real.”

No, no, no!

He couldn’t be here too.

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