Page 135 of Delicate Storm

Easton shakes his head. “What if I want to?”

“Then I’ll say thanks but no thanks. My biggest fear in all of this is that you or Isaac will get caught up in it. I don’t want to hurt you. I couldn’t care less what happens to me anymore.”

“The problem with that statement is thatIcare what happens to you. And if something happens, you better believe it will hurt me. And Isaac.”

My stomach drops but I refuse to acknowledge it. That’s a different kind of hurt. They could survive that. It would be harder to survive something directly aimed their way.

“Dad’s handling it. I promise.”

“Fuck.” Easton runs a hand through his already mussed hair and sits down again, his expression pained as he turns my way. “So you expect me to sit back and trust that nothing’s going to happen to you?”

“Yes.” I climb into his lap, cupping his face in my hands. “But I will say I’m loving this protective side of you.”

Easton releases a grunt low in his throat. “I know what you’re doing and it won’t work.”

“What am I doing?” I raise my hands in surrender.

“You’re trying to distract me so I’ll relent.”

“Never. I just thought you should know that I like it. A lot.”

“How is she blackmailing you?” he asks, moving us back on topic. “What is she doing exactly?”

Dammit. My shoulders drop and I move to climb off him but he doesn’t let me, gripping my waist to pin me in place.

“You can tell me from here.”

I nod as my nose scrunches. “On top of releasing the stories about my past and making me out to be someone I’m not, they have photos of me and Christian. And me with other people—innocent photos that look bad. And possibly some X-rated ones.”

“X-rated? What the fuck does that mean?”

“Photos of me and Christian having sex.” I cringe but only because I’m anticipating Easton’s reaction. And he doesn’t disappoint.

“Fuck.” He squeezes my waist. “How?”

“My guess is that they went through Christian’s phone.”

“Why the fuck does he have them?”

“Because we were in a relationship for years. Because I was young and stupid and I did things without thinking about my future. When Christian first took a photo of us, I considered the fact that he could share the images, but honestly, I didn’t think he had it in him. I never once considered that someone else might find them and use them against me.”

Easton opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off.

“And before you ask, I don’t regret that part of my life. I’d just prefer it stayed private.”

“I wasn’t going to say that. I was going to ask if there’s any chance Christian gave his parents the photos.”

“I don’t think so. He doesn’t seem to know what’s going on. He’s a smart guy when it comes to business, but he’s pretty clueless about everything else. Actually, self-centered is a better word.”

Easton closes his eyes as he releases a breath. “That actually makes it worse. I wish he knew what was happening so he could stop it.”

“Me too.”

“And you don’t want to tell him?”

“I’ve thought about it, but no. I think it’s best if I don’t. And Dad agreed. For now.”

“What’s your dad doing? I mean, to stop them from releasing more information.”

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