Page 23 of Shattered Hearts

“Big of you.”

“Our arrangement doesn’t concern you. Is that why you’re here? I didn’t think it was to wish me a Happy New Year. We all can’t be as noble as your father. That man can do no wrong.”

I ignore that. “You weren’t afraid of Clayton Black finding out?”

“No. I own this fucking state and everyone in it. I do whatever, and whomever, the fuck I want, but there’s something to be said for discretion and Willow and I kept to ourselves. Still, I couldn’t have given two fucks if Black found out. When you’re up against this much power, you honor it. You remember that, son.”

I grit my teeth. I’m not his son, and I have never considered him my father in any capacity.

“Then you’re not afraid of him finding out now?”

Rourke scoffs. “What are you going to do? Run and tell him? The man’s in prison, and will be for the rest of his life. He says he’s waiting for his pardon...I don’t see how that can happen unless the president himself signs the order for his release.”

“Are you still seeing her?”

“Have you seenmeonTruth or Dare’s website? I think not.”

I open my mouth to ask another question, but he cuts me off. “Stay away from Jenny Mapplethorpe. You don’t want yourold man’s leftovers.” He cuts me a sharp glance. “Though, I could be wrong about that. You seem to like licking someone else’s...plate.”

“She’s half your age.” The visual of Rourke doing Jenny against a wall churns the whiskey in my stomach. And here I thought she was a nice girl.

“I’m not the only one dipping my wick in young pussy. Zarah’s what? Ten years your junior? She’s got a lot of miles on her, Gage. Are you sure you can’t find someone who’s not so used? What do you do after you fuck? Does she compare you to Max? Is his cock smaller than yours?” He chuckles, but there’s no humor in the sound. “Have a little respect for yourself, unless you like trashy sex.”

I could have gotten angry, thrown my drink against the fireplace in a fit of rage, the glass shattering against the hearth. I could have lunged at him, given him a fat lip and broken his fancy designer glasses. I could have walked out.

I do none of those things.

I down the inch of whiskey in my glass and set it empty on the corner of his massive desk. “What happened to her wasn’t her fault.”

“Ashton Black is an asshole like his father, but he had a reason for everything he did. He had aplan. He could see a future few of us can see, and he used Zarah Maddox to make his visions a reality. She’s collateral damage. It’s not your job to put her back together.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Ash was a bastard and sold her because he could. The worst part is, he had buyers. Cowards who would pay to smack a woman around, rape her, because they’re so spineless they couldn’t prove their masculinity any other way. I’d like to meet them in an alley. See what they could do when they’re up against someone more their size. What would they do then?”

“For as long as the male species has been on this planet, they have sought dominance over others. You can’t tell me you’ve never fucked a woman too hard, made her cry out, and found pride in her pain. Or kicked the shit out of a druggie rat, got in an extra punch or two to watch him bleed. You’re no better, Davenport. I can see it on you, so don’t act superior to me or anyone else. You want to fuck a whore, fuck one, but be prepared to pay. And you will, just a different kind of price. I’m warning you to stay away from her. I can’t guarantee what will happen if you don’t.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I don’t need to threaten you.”

At this, I do leave, hooking my fingers under Baby’s collar before she tries to rip his throat out...and I let her. He was too close to the truth. Too close to the fact that sometimes I’ve gone too far. In bed and out.

I’m not like him, fucking everything that moves, and I’m not like those men who paid Ash Black to hurt Zarah. We all have a monster in us, and I have no reason to be ashamed of mine.

Pop’s looking for me when I step into the living room. Half the guests are gone, and the waitstaff’s serving the last of the champagne, eager to go home and get off their feet.

“Where have you been?”

“Wishing Rourke a Happy New Year?”

“Does his jaw still work?”

“Never touched him.”

“Then let’s get out of here before you find a reason to.”

“I have plenty of reason. Didn’t see the point.”

Pop nods but doesn’t say anything. Mom catches us near the door and thanks us for coming, hugging me tightly despite the anger rolling off me. I’m glad I can make her happy, but I may have to reconcile with the idea she’ll never be the kind of personI need her to be to earn all of my respect. I can still love her, but I’ll never approve of her choices.

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