Page 33 of The Good Girl

I reach for it and look at the screen cursing. “G, what’s up?”

“Have you seen Nevaeh? She was gone when we woke up, and she just texted Amity. And now Amity’s worried.”

Fuck. I thought I’d pulled it off, but I guess not.

“Yeah, a couple hours ago, I drove her to the airport in that tin can of hers. She said something about a book signing inRome. Said she didn’t want to go, but I told her to do it. I figured Amity would say the same. She felt guilty as fuck, though.”

G sighs. “I thought it might’ve been my fault.”

“Why, what’d you do?” I snap.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. I’ll let Amity know. I’ll catch you later.”

He hangs up just as Nevaeh’s phone chimes.

It’s all good. I can’t believe you’re going to Rome without me, though. Text me when you land. I’ve missed you like crazy.

I missed you too. I’m so sorry for running out on you like this.

Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine, and my handsome man is more than happy to play doctor for me.

I grimace. That was something I didn’t need to know.

Speaking of playing doctor, you should find a hot Italian to play with while you’re there.

I narrow my eyes at the phone, not impressed at all.

I’ll be working, so probably not. I have to go now. The plane’s boarding.

Have fun. No, seriously, have hot, sweaty fun, and then tell me all about it later. I love you.

I need to have a word with that woman.She’s a bad influence on Nevaeh.

I put the car in reverse and head back to the cabin thinking all the while about what I’m up against. She’s going to fight me, of course she will, but I’m hoping I can fuck her into my way of thinking and stop her from running again. How hard can it be? I know it won’t be easy. But where there’s a will, there’s a way.

When I get back to the cabin, I climb out, shove my phone back in my pocket and turn Nevaeh’s off before tossing it in the trunk. I slip my cut on before grabbing the laptop bag and the groceries, leaving the suitcase for now and head on up to the cabin on foot.

The rain has mostly stopped now, but I still look like a drowned rat. I open the door and step inside, panicking for a moment when I don’t see her. But when I glance out the window, I spot her sitting on one of the couches on the covered deck, with a blanket around her shoulders. Letting out a relieved breath, I put the groceries away, leaving the pizzas on the counter, before I strip out of my cut and wet hoodie. I jog upstairs and grab a dry henley, slip it on and head outside to join her.

“Hey.”

She jumps at the sound of my voice.

“Sorry. I was in my own little world.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.”

I walk over and sit beside her. She tries to move away, but I don’t let her. Instead, I grab her and pull her onto my lap.

“Havoc.”

“Cupcake.”

“You’ve got to stop calling me that. I have enough nicknames,” she huffs as I bury my nose in her hair.

“You smell like cupcakes.” I groan. “Two seconds in your company, and all I want to do is rip your clothes off and tasteyou. I don’t give a fuck what anyone else calls you. Nobody matters but me.”

“Arrogant much?”

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