Page 233 of Call the Shots
He glared. “It’s not justthepicture, June.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Xavier picked up folders from his side of the booth. “I haveyourpictures too. Imagine how disappointed your parents would be if they got out.”
“Mynudes?Do it! I don’t care if they go out there! That’s a misdemeanor, I’ll happily sue, fucking try me?—”
“Be real. What judge is going to take a look at this face and sentence me?”
I faltered for a moment, thinking it through. This would be a first offense for Xavier, no prior record and a horde of people behind him who would vouch for his character. I could almost hear the judge’s words ‘a bright future ahead of him’ before they waved the charge away with nothing more than community service. I doubt Xavier would even have it on his record.
He grinned. “The lawsuit you did for Bear was clever. It inspired me. I had my lawyers threaten Vanysh with a warrant, I wantedourmessage transcript. It’s amazing how far you can get with a proper header.”
My eyes darted to his. I froze.
“Oh, yeah. It’s good.” He set down the folders. “Messages talking about how dad’s never winning his election and how your mom’s been playing in his face for years?—”
“No,” I whispered.
“Texts about King, what he was up to in high school, I won’t publicly post them, but if they show up in a court transcript…”
Anxiety clawed its way upon my throat. “Xavier, no?—”
“And Bear. Because you told him everything, right?” He studied me. “I thought about it—I don’t think you did.”
“Xavier, no,please?—”
“You had your boyfriend—my fucking stepbrother—embarrass me in front of everybody and now you want to say please?”
Tears pricked at my eyes. The bell rang over the door and my stomach dropped when Bear walked inside. In his hoodie. His hair ruffled, eyes searching the tables with concern before he landed on me.
It hadn’t even been ten minutes—he was early.
“I knew you told somebody.” Xavier gloated. “That’ll cost you. I guess the photo’s going out.”
“No, Xavier, please,” I begged but it was too late. He crooked his fingers, motioning Bear over.
CHAPTER 86
BEAR
NOT A FUCKING PARTY
I couldn’t waitthirty minutes, I had no idea what Xavier had planned, and I hated that he had this kind of power over her. He was twenty-one years old for fuck’s sake. How could he keep terrorizing her and getting away with it?
I didn’t know.
But Xavier, excited to see me, wasn’t a good sign.
“Bear, come here,” he encouraged.
June hurried to wipe at her eyes—did this fucker make hercry?Her words were choked out. “Bear, can you go? Please? Can you leave?”
Xavier grinned. “She’s such a great actress, isn’t she?”
“What’s going on?” I demanded. “June, what’d he say to you?”
“Want to see what she says aboutyou?” Xavier asked, sliding over a folder.
