Page 87 of Not A Whisper

“Dollface, I?—”

I turn to look at Jason over my heaving shoulders, done with Grant for the time being. “Andyou!”

“Woah there, dollie! This is agoodthing. Just think about it this way.” He grins, though it lacks the confidence it normally has. “You may have married Grant, but you got me and Trip too. It’s like a three-for-one husband special.” At the last bit, he smiles widely, those dimples I love so much appearing.

Fuck those stupid dimple.

"You said you loved me."

The smile melts from Jason’s face, his brows twisting upward. "Ido. I would've been the one to lock you down, but Grant made some valid points when we discussed this."

I feel sick all over again at his confirmation. He doesn’t see what’s wrong with any of this.

"If you loved me, you would respect me. Tricking me into a marriage with your friend is far from respectful.” I suck in a deep breath, but it does nothing to settle me. “Do you knowwhyI haven’t said the words back to you? Toanyof you? It's not because I don't feel the exact same way. It's because they hold too much power, and I don’t trust you not to use that power against me. Now look, you’ve proven me right. I can't trustanyof you. I’m constantly being manipulated and controlled. This isn’t—” I choke on an angry sob “—this isn’t love."

I might as well have sucker punched him, judging by the pained expression on Jason’s face. His arms drop away. Good, I don’t want the contact. I glare down at Grant before pushing Jason out of the way and storming away from them down the aisle.

There's nowhere I want to be less than around these guys. I would've sat right in the front row if someone hadn't grabbed my wrist to bring me to a halt. Whirling around, I find Trip standing there, his glare full blown now.

“Sit. The. Fuck.Down, dollface.” He leans into my face, teeth bared. The thunderous expression on his face is menacing, and if I wasn’t so mad at him, I’d probably have cowered and done exactly what he’s demanded.

But Iammad.

I shove at him. The move surprises him. Trip takes a step back, but he catches himself. When he lashes out, I flinch—the fury and determined set of his jaw warning me that this could get ugly. He’s never hit me before, but his punishments prove he can be brutal.

Rather than hit me, his hand catches my throat and yanks me forward. I stumble into him. My hands land on his chest to keep from falling to my knees. He leans down until our noses touch. My treacherous body sends a wave of unwanted heat billowing through me, an automatic response to the way he manhandles me. I suck in a shaky breath.

Please let him think it’s from anger and not desire.

“You can rage, cry, scream, or whatever in your seat. Butjust know it doesn’t change anything.” With nostrils flaring, he continues, “If you’re looking for an apology, it’s not going to happen. You’ve been ours since Jason laid eyes on you. It didn’t matter if we had some stupid legal document to prove it or not.”

His hand drops as we glare at one another.

I search his face for something. For what, I’m not sure. Maybe some compassion? Eagerness? Joy? Maybe even the love he’d once confessed he had for me. Surely there should be some sign that marriage is what he wanted and not simply felt duty-bound to do. Unfortunately, I don’t find any of those things. A last tear runs down my face as I look past him to the others. Grant and Jason watch me from the back of the jet. Everyone seems to be holding their breath, waiting to see what I’ll do next.

WhatcanI do? I’ve raged, but it hasn’t changed a thing. TheyknewI’d be upset, but they acted anyway. They didn’t care whatIwanted. The guys have made up their minds, acted, and are standing by their decision.

At least they made this decision in order to protect me. Can I really fault them for that? Yes.

As angry as I am, I canalmostunderstand their reasoning behind such a drastic act. Garry is a man who seems to destroy or conquer everything he touches. He’s dangerous, and I might possibly be who he sets his sights on next.

With a deep breath, I try to push aside my anger to look at the bigger picture.

Through clenched teeth I growl out, “Fine. Let’s talk about what you think is going to happen now.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do,” Grant says, sighing heavily.

When I glare at him over Trip’s shoulder, Grant raises his hands in surrender—for once backing down.

The little seatbelt sign comes back on, reminding us thecaptain is waiting for takeoff. With a heavy sigh, I brush past Trip, elbowing him in the stomach as I pass him. He grunts and doubles over. Feeling a little better, I stomp the rest of the way back to my seat. If we’re going to talk, now's as good a time as ever. I can’t promise I won’t reach for a kitchen knife back in my apartment.

Jason and Grant watch me approach, both wearing wary expressions, though Jason looks more amused than apprehensive. I slip past them to sit by the window. The two of them quickly join me. Trip is last, holding his gut and wearing a dark glare as he flops down into the seat beside Grant. Before I can even reach for it, Jason’s there buckling my seatbelt. A tense silence follows as the plane begins to pick up speed. As we lift off, I wipe the drying tears off my face.

“Alright, talk,” I demand, staring at Grant expectantly. Around his neck are red finger marks. They bring me some satisfaction.

Grant doesn’t answer right away. His jaw is clenched tight, but I can tell he’s trying to work it loose. His posture is stiff and there’s a hardness in his eyes. I can’t tell if it’s because he’s bracing himself for my reaction or if this is in regard to what he’s about to tell me. After a moment, he speaks.

“There is power in the Gipson name,” he starts, his voice tight. “Gipson means money and respectability. Doors will start opening for you, ones you've never even considered before. No smart individual will mess with you now. Either because they want to win you over so you'll work with them in the future, or so that you will consider them a friend, which, in turn, allows them to fling around your name to get an edge over others. Whatever you want, you can get it. And what money and respect can't buy? Revenge will."

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