Page 88 of Manhattan Secret
“Yeah we are. And Riles? You better make the most of it, seeing me like this, because it’s the last goddamn time you and I ever spend a fucking second together.”
Her face bleaches out like her ice-white blonde hair.
Maybe she finally catches a clue after all or a sense of self-preservation because she tries to move out of my way, only, my hand on her thigh stopped her.
I want her close enough to see the whites of my eyes and how insanely mad I am.
I incline in, pressing my mouth to her ear.
My voice drips ice. “You screwed up, Riley. You tried to fuck my girl over.”
Pulling back, her face is nothing but guilty red shame.
“Lachie, I didn’t…”
Anyone else would have asked what I meant.
A guilty personalwaysgoes to denial.
Turning the phone around, I show the email on the screen.
“A fake email, really? You didn’t think she’d tell me, did you? You banked on it. Or you’re just that dumb to not know I could find you in a second.”
“Will you let me explain?”
“Explain how you called my girlfriend a perverted whore? A bitch?” I say my voice devoid of sympathy.
She’s anxious.
Around and around those bracelets go.
I will never be cruel to a woman.
I’ve stepped in a few times when chicks are getting verbally abused in public, stopped fights at school. I’m not a cruel guy.
Until I’m pushed.
Until my limits are met.
Until my loyalty is shit all over.
Until someone hurts myheart.
I could do so much damage to Riley and never lay a finger on her.
And right now I want todestroyevery good thing in her life.
“Girlfriend?” She shrieks, high pitched, her face twisting in disgust. “She’s a fucking ancient bitch. That’s disgusting. I nearly puked when I saw her kissing you in your car.”
That ladies and gentlemen, is the real face of Riley Baker.
Spoiled brat extraordinaire.
Twenty-six is old now? Damn, no one tell my mom, who takes great care of herself, still does all that Zumba shit with Aunt India. If my mom was sitting here now she’d be the one to crack a bitch slap on this girl, to knock the arrogance off her face.
Mom is one of the shortest half pint women I know, but she’s vicious when it comes to her family. And over the years she’s treated this girl like family.
I don’t need Sena or Noah Fierro to fight my battles. I’m more than capable to dole out retribution when crossed.
