Page 25 of Don't Make Me Beg
Leo’s not wrong… I do hate her… but I hate Judge Sinclair more.
How fucking pissed would he be if I pulled something like that on him? All he’s ever cared about is his stupid reputation. His family’s picture-perfect image.
He’d lose his shit if somebody like me, an actual criminal, defiled his angel of a daughter.
“I’m sure Judge Sinclair will come to his senses and he and Scout will be able to work out their differences without the need for any extreme measures,” Leo says. “Now, where were we? Luka, do you have any ideas for this year’s festival?”
We fall back into conversation around the festival, and I catch them up on the first town meeting, but I can’t seem to shake Roman’s words from my mind.
Is this my chance to finally get back at that bastard?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Scout
I’m so exhausted I don’t know what to do with myself. I tossed and turned all night long, as I lay there watching the hours on the clock tick by, as if watching a countdown of my last moments of freedom.
I glance down at the time on my phone. If what my father said was true, then I have about eight hours until I have to crawl back home with my tail between my legs, accepting defeat—either that or he drags me back kicking and screaming.
Either way, it seems like I’ll be marrying Jimmy whether I like it or not.
You’d think I’d be more upset…shocked, even. But I had an entirely sleepless night to come to terms with my fate.
Trust me, I did try to think of a way out of this mess, but it’s no use. My father is a very powerful, well-connected man, and there’s no use in trying to go against him. It’d just hurt me more in the long run, and I think I’ve sufficiently pissed him off enough already.
That doesn’t mean I intend on going home early. I may have accepted my fate, but I don’t plan on telling him that until a moment before I have to. The least I can do is make him sweat while he waits.
It may not be much, but it’s my only card left to play, my last act of rebellion.
So, I’ve decided to make today as good as it can be. I’m giving myself one last hurrah. One final day of freedom where I don’t think about my problems, and I spend the whole day doing whatever feels fun.
So naturally, my first stop is Bookstore, which also happens to be conveniently attached to Coffee Shop and Bakery.
I pull open the heavy glass door and step inside. I instantly feel my stress dissipate as the rich scent of freshly ground coffee and warm cinnamon surrounds me.
Coffee Shop, Book Store, and Bakery are all owned by widowed women in their sixties, and since they all share a wall anyway, they decided to connect the businesses by adding a door inside. The three women are more like sisters than friends and work to help each other every chance they get.
Hazel spots me from behind the coffee counter and gives me an excited wave. “I’m so glad you stopped by.” She finishes steaming the drink in her hand, then wipes the machine clean with her rag. “I didn’t have a chance to catch up with you the other night at the town meeting before you left on the back of Luka Kingsley’s motorcycle…” Her words trail off, and I know it’s an invitation to explain.
A moment passes, and then she adds, “Tell me, dear, is there something going on between you two? Is that why you’re back in town?”
Her question catches me off guard, but I’m quick to catch myself. The last thing I need is to seem uncomfortable. Looking guilty will only fuel the rumor mill.
“Now, Hazel, I don’t remember you being one for gossip,” I tease, giving her a knowing look as I turn the question back on her. If there’s anything Hazel hates, it’s being compared to Miss Scarlett. The two may be cordial in public, but there’s definitely more to their story.
She waves me off. “Oh, I was just repeating what everyone in town’s been saying. I didn’t figure it was anything more than two old friends reconnecting.” She gives my cheek a playful squeeze. “I figured as much. You’re a good girl and too smart to settle for someone like that…especially given his criminal history.” She blows out a breath and shakes her head. “I can’t imagine your daddy would ever allow something like that to happen.”
Her words sear into my brain like a scalding hot fire poker as a wave of guilt rises in my chest. I think back to the concerns they expressed at the town meeting, how everyone treated him like he’d committed a far worse crime than spray-painting the side of a building.
That just goes to prove how powerful my father is. Not only did he successfully send him to prison, but obviously, his smear campaign worked even better than I realized.
I had no idea things were this bad for him… After all this time, why wouldn’t he try to defend himself? Surely it’s not to protect me.
“Watch out, hot pan coming through!” Lucy calls out as she backs through the swinging metal door, carrying a large metal pan full of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and I give her a friendly wave.
“Fancy seeing you here. I almost didn’t recognize you the other night,” Lucy says as she uses tongs to move the pastries into the display window. “What brings you back to town? It wouldn’t be?—"
“Oh, stop interrogating the girl,” Hazel scolds, giving her a stern look. “You’re going to scare her off thinking everyone in town’s talking behind her back.”
