Page 3 of Towering Contract

“You got what you deserved for your insolent behavior. And it wouldn’t hurt you to have another smack or two.” His fists clench at his side, but it’s been a long, long time since I feared him physically.

“I’m sure it’s frustrating that I got bigger than you and now you can’t beat on someone weaker. Thank God Mom’s dead.”

“Don’t you dare mention her name.”

“I’m glad you loved something in your life,” I admit as I look out over the vast land in front of me and try not to let him get in my head. “Truly. I’m glad you didn’t treat her the way you treated me.”

“You were out of control and wouldn’t listen. I did what I had to do to get you to behave. Stop being so dramatic about it.” He huffs. “It’s called punishment. Which is what more of your generation needs, if you ask me.”

There’s a stretch of silence between us as I scan the area where the men are working. My mind is already picturing her here and all the things she could create. I don’t want my dreams to be stained by this monster, so I decide it’s time to end the conversation.

“When you leave, take a good look at the house,” I say as I tuck my hands in my pockets and take a step off the terrace. But before I walk away, I pause and glance back. “Because it’s the last time you’ll see it. If you show up here again, I’m calling the cops.”

“Flynn, you can’t be serious,” my father tries, but then I give him my back and step onto the cobblestone path.

I smile when I remember how much Zelly loves cobblestones.

ChapterThree

ZELLY

“Have you come up with a costume for the Halloween party?” Ella’s eyebrows pull together as she pushes her hands against her cheeks. Mom wanted to do this party to make Ella feel like a part of our family, but I think we might be giving her anxiety instead. That makes two of us, but I’m better at hiding it.

“The point of Halloween is that you get to dress up extra sexy and no one can give you shit.” The second the words leave my mouth, Leo is out of his seat.

A sister has to get her jabs in here and there. God knows I wouldn't be showing up bearing it all. I bite the inside of my cheek, wondering how it would go over if I could ever bring myself to do it. Would it get a reaction out of Flynn? There were a few times I thought he might be a little jealous, but I’m sure showing off too much skin would only remind him of my scars. I keep hiding them in hopes he’ll forget and we can go back to the way it was before.

It’s an insane thought because I never give him the time of day. All I do is allow these fantasies between the two of us to play out in my mind. If I could stop them, I would, but they hit me out of nowhere all on their own.

I can try and pretend Flynn didn’t break my heart, but it’s bullshit. The scar lingers, and it always will. More than anyone, I should know there’s no point in running from it because it’s not going anywhere.

“Not happening.” My brother moves over to Ella as if to protect her from me and my naughty ideas.

I smirk, relishing my small victory. If he can drive me insane with possible suitors, I could do the same but in my own way. I think it’s fair.

“You think I can’t be sexy?” Ella’s bottom lip puffs out.

“You’re already too damn sexy,” Leo grumbles. My whole plan to poke at my brother backfires on me as I watch the two of them fawn over each other. It’s disgusting.

And yet I want that kind of love.

“I think I’m going to be Princess Gilda,” my mom says, not glancing up from her giant iPad. She’s got a freaking TV screen in her lap.

“Who?” I ask.

“FromThe Wizard of Oz.”

“She’s not a princess.” What the hell is she talking about? Her sister is The Wicked Witch of the West. That could be fun to dress up as. I’d drop a house right on Flynn’s head.

Ugh. Why do all my thoughts circle back to him?

“Of course she is,” my mom counters.

“She’s a witch,” I say, and that’s when my mom’s eyes lift from her tablet.

“No, she’s a princess.”

“Mom, are you…” I trail off, catching on to her.

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