“It’s not like I can get pregnant.”

He shrugs. “I just had the prettiest woman at the party riding my dick and she’s full of my cum, I’m pretty fucking happy.” He beams at me, eyes tracing over my face. “God, you’re gorgeous. You know that, right?”

He always knows what to say to make me feel like I’msomething special. I’m going to miss his praise when he goes to prison.

“Well, I hope you enjoyed it, because that’s not happening again.”

He smirks. “We’ll see about that.”

I scowl, but honestly, I wouldn’t be mad if we found ourselves in another bathroom.

twenty-four

CASSIA

A flurry of texts hit my phone Sunday morning. Mace is busy in the gym, doing the lord’s work, and I’m...busylounging in the pool. Leaving one forearm on the edge of the pool, I grab my phone with the other and unlock it.

I check the message thread with Ian first, frowning at all the unanswered texts. I tap out a quick message, shake my head, and delete it. If he hasn’t responded by now, he probably won’t. I’m still pissed off, but I’m starting to get worried.

Another alert dings, and I jump to a group chat that I didn’t start. My forehead wrinkles at the unknown numbers.

UNKNOWN 1

Hi, Cassia! I know Mace is boring, do you need rescuing?

UNKNOWN 2

Excuse Melody, she has no filter.

MELODY

And Adalie needs to lose hers.

ADALIE

You realize she’ll never want to hang out with us if you keep it up, right?

MELODY: Cassia, will you pretty please come to the tennis club with us?

Chewing on my cheek, I glance around the pool room as the distant clang of Mace’s workout equipment filters through the house. I’m not much of a people person. His sisters seem nice, though, and I should give them a chance. Between staying here with Mace, who has been handsy all morning, and hanging out with his sisters, they seem like the lesser evil.

If I stay, I’ll definitely take him for another ride, something that would make him way too happy. He’s already acting obnoxiously pleased with himself after the bathroom sex incident.

ADALIE

It’s totally okay if you don’t want to come! We understand it’s last minute and you’re probably busy.

Ugh. She’s so nice. How can I say no now?

I’ll come, but I need to shower.

MELODY

Perfect. Elliot knows where to go. Bring your game face.

CASSIA

Should I be worried?