Page 31 of Always Knew It Was You

He squints at me from the ground. “Carly’s my daughter.”

Shit. She really got the short end of the stick when it comes to family huh?

As I watch the man wobble back to his feet, I can’t help but feel really bad for her. And mad that this bastard, who’s supposed to be her dad, is here drunkenly trying to pull scams on people, while she works like an honest citizen.

Lord only knows how she’s so well-adjusted.

I reach down and pick the man up by the scruff of his shirt, slamming him into the Porsche.

“Hey!”

“I thought this is what you wanted.” I smile evilly at the fear that suddenly jumps into his eyes. “I thought you wanted me to manhandle you so you can get money out of me, you scamming bastard.”

“Get off me.”

“Oh, I will. But first, let me warn you, so you quit making your family’s life a living hell. The next time you try something like this with me, I’ll run you over. I don’t stop for scum like you, and since you want it so badly, I’ll put you out of your misery.” I lean in and whisper, “And trust me. I have the money and power to get away with it.”

I pull back and watch even more fear bleed into his gaze, while I maintain my pleasant smile. “Oh, and that goes for anyone else you try this on. Trust me, I’ll know. I got eyes all around this town.” It doesn’t make sense since I’m a stranger here, but he’s likely too drunk to recall much more than a rich maniac threatening him. “If I even hear about you trying this again, you’ll hear from me. Got it?”

He swallows and nods rapidly. I release him, throwing him to the ground, feeling nothing but disgust as I watch him scramble to his feet and run away.

Good. Hopefully, that makes things a little easier for Carly.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CARLY

I’m still pissed at Micah as I climb Mrs. Peach’s porch stairs.

More than the anger though, what bothers me is the bitter feeling lingering in my gut, the self-loathing that always plagues me whenever anyone alludes to my family’s various crimes. I hate that feeling, hate it so much.

No matter how hard I try, their words feel like a judgment on me too. After all, I grew up with the very people they shun. My parents raised me. If everyone in my family is a screwup, what makes me so different?

Maybe it’s only a matter of time before I become a screwup too.

My head hurts as I reach the top step. My mood worsens.

I wish I could erase that last fifteen minutes or so.

The night was going so well until then. Everything else seemed straight out of a fairy tale, from the fancy restaurant to the amazing wine to Micah’s company and even his unbelievable deal that would solve all my financial problems right now.

It was all fantastic.

And then Nate called, breaking the illusion.

I was suddenly no longer just an ordinary girl having fun with an ordinary guy.

I was practically trailer trash hooking up with a billionaire.

I wonder if Micah finds the whole concept of our relationship as ridiculous and amusing as I do. I also wonder why I’m sleeping with a guy who thinks badly about my family and me.

I mean he probably thinks I’m easy, considering how effortless it was to get me into bed with him.

“Whatever,” I mutter to myself. “It’s not like I need his approval anyway.”

Before I can grasp the door handle, it swings open on its own. I jump back, startled as my best friend stands at the doorway blinking at me in silence.

“Emma!” I exclaim. I’m not sure who’s more surprised, me or her.

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