Page 64 of Ruthless Rebel

“I guess so. I’m just tired of feeling like this is all my fault.”

“It’s not.”

“But Sasha…” My voice cuts. I can’t even mention that man’s name without getting choked up.

“No. Don’t even go there. You weren’t to know he was going to turn out the way he did. No one did. I was so happy for you when you two got together. I thought he loved you, but he was a fucking psycho.”

“I’m glad you acknowledge that. Dad still can’t seem to wrap his head around that part.”

“That’s because your father only sees what he wants to see. Forgive me, I don’t mean to be offensive.”

“No offense taken, believe me. I completely agree.”

She sighs again and brings her hands into her chest. We stay in silence for a few seconds, processing and wondering.

“What are you going to do if Jericho agrees?”

“Rejoice, then hate myself even more than I already do.” I give her a weary smile, and my face feels like it might crack. “I can’t believe I had to go to him. I’ve been stubborn and Miss I-Can-Take-Care-of-Myself all this time, but I’ve hit a stumbling block that I can’t work my way around.”

I feel like I’ve been teetering on the brink of insanity since I saw Jericho. The problem with him that worries me is that he’s as unpredictable as a tornado.

“All things aside, my heart goes out to you for being that girl who’ll do anything to save someone she loves. Here’s hoping it works out.”

“I hope so, too.”

“Keep strong, River.” She smirks. “At least if this works out, you’ll be two million dollars richer and married to a seriously hot billionaire.”

I try to laugh because I know she’s trying to cheer me up, but I can’t even do that.

“A seriously hot billionaire who might have wanted to marry someone like Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian.”

“Or he could want you. He did before. And just for the record, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian have nothing on you, my friend.”

Now I laugh but without humor. “If only, but thank you for saying that, even though I’m the perfect illustration of the girl who’s from the wrong side of the tracks. I wasn’t even thinking about that part when I presented my offer to him.”

“Because it’s not relevant. I don’t think it is.”

“Maybe not.”

My gut tells me Jericho would help me in any event with Gina’s surgery, but he knows I want to earn that help. That doesn’t stop me from worrying he’ll say no to the whole thing. If that is the case, I don’t want to think of the alternatives.

After Eden leaves, I have another rough time getting to sleep. I doze off in the early hours of the morning, then stir as the first traces of sunlight slither into my room. That’s when I feel a heavy presence near me.

At first, I think I’m imagining it, but the shuffling sound makes me realize it’s real.

My awareness awakens with me, and I turn to find a shadowy figure standing by the window.

On seeing I’m awake, it moves closer into the light. It’s Jericho. The room is just bright enough for me to see his Adonis face with that brooding expression trimmed with malice.

He’s dressed in a mid-length black coat and full black everything right down to the Tom Ford boots covering his feet. No wonder he blended in so well with the darkness.

With my heart triple-beating and my breath lodged in my throat, I sit up and yank the sheets close to cover my breasts. Except for my panties, I’m naked. I’m not sure how much he saw, but he was looking.

He saw me naked again.

I always sleep like this when I’m anxious. No matter how loose-fitting my bed clothes might be, they always feel tight against my skin.

Leisurely, he allows his gaze to slide over my body, and I feel exposed even though I’m covered up.

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