Page 69 of Forever Fake

Bile rises in my throat. That whole scenario chills me to the core. What will happen when Blake and I are through? My father will cut me off, he hates me, but surely I can turn to my sisters.Anyone but Oliver. I can’t let him get his hands on me again. I won’t survive it a second time.

Oliver chuckles at my silence. “Maybe I won’t have to wait that long to have you again. I could always write a clause into the sales contract where I get you once a week. Or maybe every other weekend. Do you think Blake would go for that, Ginny? Is he that desperate to have my property?”

Oh god. I’m going to be sick.

What Oliver doesn’t know is that Blake is beyond desperate for that property, so much depends on their deal going through. Would Blake sign away my freedom, my body, to this psychopath? I want to believe he’d never do such a thing, but he did blackmail me, and his reputation shows he has very few scruples. But he’s dedicated to his siblings, especially Liam. I don’t know where I stand when it’s a choice between me or his brother. I have a feeling I’m on the losing side.

“I can’t wait to fuck every one of your holes again, Ginny, and this time I’m going to make you bleed. You’re a naughty girl for running away from me, for climbing into Baron’s bed, and bad girls get punished, don’t they? You think I hurt you last time? You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I don’t answer him, I can barely breathe. My hands tremble beneath the table as I mindlessly destroy the cloth napkin in my lap.

CHAPTER 30

Blake

I’ve been waiting for Lexa to call me back for over a week, too bad her timing is terrible. Even so, I don’t dare to let the unknown number she’s calling from go to voicemail. We need to talk.

“I’m not moving in with you, Blake, that’s final.” For such a little pixie, she sure is stubborn, unmovable as a mountain when she wants to be.

I grind my teeth together, but hold my tongue. We don’t need a repeat of the last time she called and hung up. “Fine. But I am sending you money. I don’t want you owing Eion Bane a single fucking penny, Lexa. Got it?”

She huffs. “Fine.” Then her tone softens, “I’m okay, I promise. I can’t explain anything to you right now, and I’m sorry about that. Just please do whatever you can to make sure my mother doesn’t find me.”

“I don’t even know where you are, how is she supposed to find you?”

“I’m hoping she can’t. That’s why I can’t tell you where I am either. Everything I’m doing is to keep you and Liam safe, I swear. You’re both my family and I love you. I’m sure you’ll try to track my call, so I’m going to go now. Good night.” She hangs upand I mutter a curse. Of course I’m trying to track her location. She knows me too well.

Disgruntled, I head back to the dining room and my pompous, irritating guest. He’s done nothing but blow his own horn all evening. Any subject he knows everything about, he’s a fucking expert. I roll my eyes. He’s on my last nerve, but until this deal goes through, I have to pretend I don’t want to murder him.

Plus, I don’t like the way he looks at Gin. There’s something off about it that I can’t quite put my finger on.

As soon as I enter the room, I notice the thick, charged atmosphere. Gin’s pale face paired with Oz’s smug expression sets my teeth on edge. What have they been doing while I was gone?

I take my seat, and Oz immediately launches into more business chit-chat. “...all that to say, we have a deal.”

That catches my attention. “A deal?”

“Yes.” Oz leans back in his seat and puffs out his chest. “I’ve made my decision. I’m going with your company. Your vision, and Titan Enterprises, are the best fit for my property. I’ll have the contract drawn up in the next few weeks.” His gaze flits briefly to a quiet, distant Gin. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. We’ll finalize the details once you’re back from your honeymoon.”

A wave of relief crashes over me. This is the first step toward securing Liam’s inheritance and place at the company. But I’m not counting on this victory until we’ve signed on the line and the paperwork’s been filed. Then I’ll celebrate.

“Agreed,” I state.

“I’m sure we have a long and mutually beneficial relationship ahead of us.” Oz grins at me, and I resist the urge to punch him.

“I’m sure we do.”

He stands. “My lawyers will be in touch.”

“Aren’t you staying for dessert,” I grind out, only because it’s polite and I’m still pretending to be a good host. This deal isn’t done until it’s done, after all.

“You know, I think I’ll skip dessert this time. Rain check.” Oz shakes my hand. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”

He tips his chin to Ginevra, and she gives him the fakest smile I’ve ever seen on her lush lips. I’ve been so preoccupied with Oz all evening that I haven’t noticed how tense and uneasy she seems. What the hell is going on?

I walk him to the door, impatient about getting him out of my house. Once he’s finally gone, I return to Gin, finding her in her dressing room with a bottle of vanilla vodka in her hand. She only drinks that stuff when she’s distraught. She takes a shot and stares into the vanity mirror.

“Are you unwell?” I ask, approaching her.

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