Page 104 of Double or Nothing

“What the fuck happened?” Mac asks, even though the answer should be clear enough.

My father, that’s what happened. Just like it always does. The man knows exactly how to get under my skin and trigger me. How to ruin the happiest time of my life.

“I punched him.”

“I know that. I just don’t get how he knew where you were or how he got to you.”

“It’s fine. I needed that.” The punch was cathartic and makes me wish I had done it years ago. More than that, I needed the reminder of who I am and where I come from.

“I’ll do what I can to smooth things over with Jack,” Mac tells me.

“Don’t bother.”

“What do you mean, don’t bother?”

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial a number I never intended calling again. When the voice on the other end picks up, I say, “I changed my mind. I’m in. Meet me at my hotel room in twenty.”

“Who the hell was that?” Mac asks.

“Val.”

The mention of her name sends Mac into a tizzy, rattling off questions, demanding I call her back and cancel.

“No good is going to come of this.”

“No good is going to come of me staying.” Tonight was proof of that.

When we step off the elevator, Val is waiting.

“I am so glad you finally came to your senses.”

“Me, too,” I say as I head into the room, straight to the wet bar, and pour the whiskey until the glass is full.

Val stands next to me, her body pressing against mine.

“Back off,” Mac warns her.

“I don’t take orders from you.”

“Don’t do this, Sut. Don’t make the same mistake twice.”

Mac’s words only anger me.

“The only mistake I made was letting you trick me into coming back here. You did this!”

It’s all his fault—being here, having to deal with my father. I’m going to hurt Kat for a second time when I promised her I wouldn’t. I’m not trying to hurt her. I’m trying to save her—from me.

“I know—”

“You don’t know dick,” I tell him. “Just get the fuck out.”

Mac’s eyes dart between Val and me. “Don’t do anything stupid you can’t take back.”

“You won’t regret this, baby,” Val coos as she runs her fingers down my torso. “With this world tour, we can have it all.”

I nod before throwing back my drink and pouring another.

“This is what you want, right? The tour? Me? All of it?”

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